Cooperstown is a wonderful example of a downtown anchored by major destinations – namely the Baseball Hall of Fame and an exceptional natural resource in the form of Glimerglass Lake. Throw in anassociationwith famous literary figure – James Fennimore Cooper – then the stage is set. Most of the historicbuildings here are fairly well taken care of. What is clear is thatdowntownhousing is not a priority. That limits the ability tosupportdowntown businesses except fromtouristtraffic. The booming craft beer and winery scene is only partially represented too, providing an opportunity for growth.
Baseball of Hall FameAs this plaque shows there are memorials for everything. Surely the first Hall of Fame Induction is a significant event that brought many notable figures here. The memorialization of memories is part and parcel of Cooperstown.With the Hall of Fame at oneend, a row of buildings on the opposite side of the street shows the connection between attraction and downtown.Ablock away the Yvonne Watts House from 1791 is touted as “Now the 2nd Oldest Dwelling” at 31 Pioneer Street. Originally a tavern it has been remodeled to the point where it sort of fades away from everything around it, rather than having a historic feel. Nevertheless, this buildinganchors all that surrounds it due to earlier historic associations.Likewise, Phinney’s Pasture is reputedly the location where the first baseball game was ever played or very near it, depending on the storiesyou subscribe to. In the 1930s a WPAproject built a more substantial stadium for “Doubleday Field” as it is now called.
In 1939, during the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration provided labor and the Village of Cooperstown supplied materials and equipment for the construction of the currentgrandstand at Doubleday Field.
Existing Doubleday Field this four-storybuilding stands out for its industrial character seemingly out of place, though also authentic to its site. This tension between real and imagined permeates everything throughout Cooperstown.Likewise, a ghost sign for “Smally’s Theatre” just outside of the stadium provides a reminder of entertainment froman earlier time with a very substantial flytower, showing thatlive shows and theatrical productions once passed through this area. The revival of theater and places of entertainment would seem to be a promising option for encouraging greater vitality throughout the downtown.Cooperstown Bat Company is the kind of on-brand business that contributes to the image and identity of the town. Note how the apparently unoccupied upper floors got a graphical treatment thatfit in with them theme of the downtown, and as a marketingplay complement the business on the first floor. Of courseupper floorhousing would be much better in the long-term but this is a good stop-gap solution.Even non-retail businesses can get in the act of promoting the image of the town. Here a sign in the window of a bank says “Life can throw curveballs. Be ready for them.”The “Wax Museum” in aniconicbuilding provides a third destination between the Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field.This handsome block is lined by three storybuildingsthat are well articulated and create a sense of place for the downtown.Doubleday Cafe – a restaurantthat also serves alcohol – is a clever way to connect in with the story of Abner Doubleday and the bigger baseball theme.The Tunnicliff Inn and restaurant hearkens backtoan earlier day and time. It looks more like anapartment building today, and unfortunately the restaurant is not incorporated into the plaza at all next door. Instead they are separated by defensive shrubbery.This handsome 3-storybuildingwithroundarchwindows on the third floor could use some help withwindow coverings that are more complementary with the building. White shades and blinds create the effect of a wall because windows are naturally dark colored. Something as simple as changing the window coverings would make the entire building pop more.Aview of one portion of the streetwith large scalewindows on each side. Parking is also on oneside only and is front in. What is lacking is more space for outdoor dining. Some of those parking spaces might be better utilized in support of businesses.The time toview Glimmerglass Lake is just before sundown when lake and sky meet and become one, with a thinstrip of land receding into the distance all that keeps them apart.Wonderful tosee pollinators getting a primespot on the waterfront. Also good for the shoreline as opposed to a more intensive use such as a fishingarea, or more docks, or bulkheads.
This combined wayfinding and interpretive sign gives valuable contextual information about baseball while also directing people to important sites throughout Cooperstown. Utilizing both sides of this two-sided sign ensures that there are no unutilized services.
Major General Abner Doubleday engraved by J.C. Buttre from a photograph by Matthew Brady, c. 1862.
The Calvacade of Baseball marked the centennial of baseball’s reported creation and brought 10,000 people to Doubleday Field on June 12, 1939. They saw baseball’s greatest play on teams led by Honus Wagner and Eddie Collins.
