Wrigley Field
One of the most iconic and beloved baseball stadiums in the country, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest Major League Baseball stadium in the U.S. and has been home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916.
Originally named Weeghman Park, the Wrigley Field was built in 1914 for the Chicago Whales, a baseball team which was part of the short-lived Federal League. The park’s architect, Zachary Taylor Davis, also designed Comiskey Park, which was home to the Chicago White Sox until it was demolished in 1991.
After the Federal League folded in 1915, Charles Weeghman, the owner of the Whales, bought the Cubs and moved them to his stadium which was renamed Cubs Park in 1920. After William Wrigley Jr., chewing gum magnate, acquired a controlling interest in the team, the stadium was renamed Wrigley Field in 1926.
Zachary Taylor Davis was an accomplished architect known for his work on sports venues. His design for Wrigley Field, which featured a steel and concrete grandstand, was considered state-of-the-art at the time.
The park has undergone several renovations. The first occurred just days after the 1914 opening day, when the outfield walls were moved back to decrease the high number of home runs. An upper deck was added in 1927-1928 and Holabird and Root designed the bleacher section in 1937-1938. In 1934, the park’s marquee was added outside the home-plate entrance. Two iconic features were added in later renovations: the hand-operated scoreboard (which is still in use) and the ivy on the outfield brick walls, which was planted in 1937.
As professional baseball parks across the U.S. became larger and more modern, Wrigley Field underwent several renovations in the late 20th and early 21st century. These included the addition of lights in 1988, which allowed for night games, an expansion of the bleacher section in 2006, and the ambitious 1060 Project from 2014-2019.
The 1060 Project could arguably be the park’s most significant renovation effort in Wrigley Field history. Named after the stadium’s address at 1060 W. Addison, the multi-year, $575 million project aimed to modernize Wrigley Field while preserving its historic charm. These improvements included the installation of video boards, structural upgrades, expanded concourses, and enhanced player facilities. The renovation effort extended outside the ballpark with the construction of the Hotel Zachary, office space, and a plaza area.
EXHIBITION ABOUT THIS BUILDING
Discover more about the Wrigley Field at the Legacy of Wrigley Field exhibition in the Center.
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The ivy was planted at the suggestion of then-Cubs general manager Bill Veeck. The lush green backdrop provides a unique challenge for outfielders as the ball can get lost in the thick foliage.
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Wrigley Field is associated with the infamous "Curse of the Billy Goat," which supposedly began in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis was asked to leave the stadium because his pet goat’s odor was bothering other fans. Sianis allegedly cursed the team, declaring that they would never win another World Series. The Cubs famously broke the curse in 2016, winning their first World Series in 108 years.
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The marquee on the outside of the stadium above the home plate entrance was originally green.
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The Wrigley family maintained ownership of the team and the stadium until 1981, when the Tribune Company purchased the Cubs. In 2009, the Ricketts family acquired the team.
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The rooftops surrounding Wrigley Field have been a unique feature since the early days of the stadium. Originally, fans would gather on rooftops for free views of the games. Over time, the rooftop businesses have become commercial enterprises, with some even entering into revenue-sharing agreements with the Cubs.
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Wrigley Field has appeared in films including “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, “A League of Their Own” and “The Blues Brothers”.
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From 1921 to 1970, Wrigley Field was home to the Chicago Bears, the city’s professional American football team.
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Wrigley Field, also known as “The Friendly Confines”, is the second-oldest Major League Baseball stadium, surpassed only by Boston’s Fenway Park.
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The location of Wrigley Field, in a dense Chicago neighborhood, is unusual for a baseball stadium. The neighborhood itself has acquired the name, Wrigleyville after the legendary ballpark.