Ferry Field - Jesse Owens' Day of Days

A stop on University of Michigan Campus Walk, a free self-guided tour.

This open stretch of ground was once the center of Michigan sports. Detroit seed merchant Dexter M. Ferry donated the land in 1902, and Ferry Field opened in 1906 with seats for 18,000. The football team played here until 1926, when it outgrew the field and moved to the giant stadium you'll see next. Ferry Field then became Michigan's outdoor track, and today it mostly hosts tailgaters on game days.

Its greatest afternoon came on May 25, 1935, at the Big Ten championships. Jesse Owens, a sprinter from rival Ohio State, set world records in the 220-yard dash, the 220-yard low hurdles and the long jump, and tied the world record in the 100-yard dash, all in about 45 minutes. Counting the metric distances recognized at the same time, the tally of records climbs even higher. A year later Owens won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics.

Look for the World Athletics Heritage Plaque outside the field, unveiled by his family in 2024.

Getting here: Walk south on State Street for about 10 minutes, past Hoover Street, to Ferry Field on your right.

Did you know?: Ferry Field's ornamental gate, with its ten ticket windows, was designed by Albert Kahn's firm, the same architects behind Hatcher Library, Burton Tower and Hill Auditorium.

Photo op: Photograph the Jesse Owens heritage plaque with the open field stretching out behind it.

More on Wikipedia: Ferry Field · Jesse Owens · Dexter M. Ferry

Ferry Field - Jesse Owens' Day of Days

Stops on this tour