Indian River County (IRC), FL – The Indian River County Historical Society, in collaboration with Indian River County and the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, are proud to announce the unveiling of a new Florida Historical Marker commemorating the intersection of Baseball and Civil Rights.
The dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 10:00 am at the corner of 43rd Avenue and Aviation Boulevard in Vero Beach.
“The historical marker is being installed on the former Dodgertown 9-hole golf course, a site rich in both sports and civil rights history. Now owned by Indian River County, the property has been transformed to include a scenic walking trail and will soon host a centerpiece community park,” said Michael Zito, Indian River County Deputy Administrator.
“In 1965, during the era of segregation, Brooklyn Dodgers President Walter O’Malley purchased the land and privately constructed the Dodgertown Golf Club so that all players, regardless of race, had access to recreational facilities,” explained Rachelle Madrigal, Vice President, Jackie Robinson Training Complex.
“At the time, there were only two local courses in Indian River County, and both were private. Mr. O’Malley wanted all players to have access to the same recreational opportunities but interestingly, despite becoming a local legend, Jackie Robinson never played on this nine-hole course because his last spring training at Dodgertown was in 1956,” said Indian River County Historian, Ruth Stanbridge
Dodgertown and the former 9-hole course are officially recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as part of the United States Civil Rights Trail. The site holds national significance, as it reflects the pioneering efforts of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in integrating professional sports. In 1947, the team’s signing of Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color and ethnic barrier paving the way for equality in athletics across the nation.
“Sports have always been a unifying force in our society,” said Zito. “This marker not only honors our community’s connection to baseball history but also recognizes the role sports played in advancing civil rights,” said Jonnie Mae Perry, Indian River County Historical Society.
The Indian River County Historical Society launched the local Florida Historical Marker Program in the 1990s and has since documented and installed thirty-eight markers highlighting sites of local and national significance. The Baseball & Civil Rights marker was made possible through a grant secured by the Indian River County Historical Society, funded by Indian River County’s bed tax revenues, the Tourism Development Council, and the Indian River County Commission.
Visitors can explore the county’s full Historical Marker Tour at www.irchistorical.org.
Parking for the event will be available off Aviation Boulevard near the former golf building. The public is invited to attend and celebrate this important addition to Indian River County’s shared heritage.
