Julius Houseman Field
In March 1907, Hattie Houseman Amberg gave the Houseman Plat to the GR Bd of Ed for use as an athletic field in memory of her father for the use primarily of the High School.
Lot 5 of block 3 had been sold to Cornelius VanOeveren on Sept 7, 1891 and he sold it to Matthys de Maagd on No 16, 1893 who then sold it to the Bd ord Ed on Sept 11, 1907.
Original Donation Bd of Ed expansion
The plat for Houseman Field, Diamond School was in the lower right hand corner
As Union graduated it's first class in 1912 and Creston, South and Ottawa were being contemplated, Central felt threatened at loosing their athletic field.
1921 Annual Report - Old 2nd Ward - Lots 1-9 and lots 16-24 of Block 2, and lots 1-9 and lots 16-24 of Block 3 of Houseman's Addition.
1928 - Field House built
1935 Sanborn Fire Map shows the original Houseman Field which has since usurped Diamond School and all the houses.
Tax: 162 Houseman Ave NE
Grand Rapids Press 26 Mar 1998 - bond issue proposal
Houseman Field
Houseman Ave at Fountain St
Cost: $2.5 million
Highlights: $1.8 million in upgrades to make Houseman more spectator friendly,
including new bleacher foundation,
enhanced electrical system for better lighting and sound and more and better
seating for wheelchair users.
From article City Schools
From Heading History and the City of GrandRapids
From web site: MyCityofGrandRapids.info