{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Watertown Stadium | nrhp_type = | image = Watertown Stadium May 2017.jpg | caption = The stadium exterior, May 2017 | location = 1600 W Kemp Ave., Watertown, South Dakota | coordinates = {{coord|44.901958|-97.139558|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = South Dakota#USA | built = 1940 | architect = Perkins & McWayne | builder = Works Progress Administration | architecture = Art Deco | added = July 5, 2000 | area = {{convert|3.7|acre|ha}} | mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64500578|title=Federal Relief Construction in South Dakota MPS}} | refnum = 00000721<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2009a}}</ref> }} '''Watertown Stadium''' is a stadium in Watertown, South Dakota. It was primarily used for baseball and American football and was the home of minor-league professional baseball including, most recently (c. 1970), the Watertown Expos of the Northern League. The ballpark has a capacity of 5,000 people and opened in 1940.
It was most recently used by Watertown High School, to host baseball and football games, though its usage no longer includes. The stadium’s usage for football games was discontinued following the end of the 2024 season. Football games are now hosted at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex, starting with the 2025 season.
The stadium was built around the 1930s as Works Progress Administration Project 4265, and still holds the original plaque dedicating the structure. It is the home of the Watertown Arrows.
In 2005, an additional building was built to the East of the field. This building houses restrooms, a concession stand, and both Varsity and Sophomore locker rooms.
{{wide image|Watertown Stadium May 2017 pano.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view of the stadium interior configured for baseball, May 2017}}
The stadium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.<ref name=nris/> It is built of reinforced concrete.<ref name=nrhpdoc>{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=00000721}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Watertown Stadium |publisher=National Park Service|author=Megan D. Eades |date=January 2000 |accessdate=January 10, 2018}} With {{NRHP url|id=00000721|photos=y|title=two photos from 1999}}.</ref>
Its NRHP nomination asserts:<blockquote>The Watertown Stadium is a physical reminder of the unprecedented use of government aid to construct community improvements, particularly for recreation and leisure. Built in 1940, the stadium was reportedly planned as a band shelter, since the W.P.A. wanted to build them as part of their music project. According to a local story, the structure was built in phases, and it initially looked more like a bandshell. During the last phase of construction, it was then modified for use as an athletic stadium. Although the story is rumor, the existing structure is an excellent example of W.P.A. construction and one of the more outstanding federal relief projects in the northeastern part of the state.<ref name=nrhpdoc/></blockquote>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Watertown Stadium}} * [http://www.ballparkreviews.com/wtownsd/wtownsd.htm Ballpark Reviews] * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060212002436/http://www.digitalballparks.com/Northern/WaterSD.html Digital Ballparks]}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in South Dakota}}
Category:Sports venues completed in 1940 Category:Event venues on the National Register of Historic Places in South Dakota Category:Art Deco architecture in South Dakota Category:Buildings and structures in Watertown, South Dakota Category:Minor league baseball venues Category:Works Progress Administration in South Dakota Category:Baseball venues in South Dakota Category:American football venues in South Dakota Category:National Register of Historic Places in Codington County, South Dakota Category:Sports venues on the National Register of Historic Places Category:1940 establishments in South Dakota Category:High school football venues in the United States
{{SouthDakota-NRHP-stub}} {{SouthDakota-baseball-venue-stub}}