1897
The beginning of the Annual Football Games between Barringer
High School in Newark, and East Orange High School.
The annual game between East Orange High School and Barringer
High School of Newark has become, like thousands of rivalries
around the country, a Thanksgiving Day ritual.
The East Orange-Barringer series began in 1897 and was the
longest unbroken holiday rivalry in the country until 1986, when
the teams were forced to play each other in September because of
conference scheduling commitments.
After a two-year absence, the schools were able to restore the
game to Thanksgiving Day in 1988. That game, which was won by
East Orange, 38-12, was the 92d meeting between the teams, with
East Orange holding a 47-36-9 advantage in the series at that
time.
In 2008, Newark Public Schools retained EI Associates to
design the replacement of the landmark Newark Schools Stadium.
Deteriorated beyond repair, the aged and historic concrete
structure had been the venue for countless high school and
community sporting events for the City of Newark since 1925
including the 1928 National Women's Olympic track and field
trails. The site was also the venue of a track event involving
Olympian Jesse Owens.
The recently completed (2011) Newark Schools Stadium is
reborn as a tribute to its proud and historic past. The design of
the new facade pays homage to the original iconic arched columns.
A new clock tower/ticket window symbolizes Newark's past while
embracing the future. New, multi-purpose synthetic turf fields
and stadium lighting accommodate a variety of track and field
events as well as football, soccer and softball. Seating for
5,600 spectators is provided along with amenities such as
concession areas, team locker and shower rooms and public toilet
facilities.
Google View from 2014
Ashland School, also locally known as Park
Avenue School
In the above photo taken on June 15, 1907, members of the
East Orange City Council are shown squaring off against the
Orange Town Council in a baseball game on Ashland Field. Thirteen
years later, East Orange sold $100,000 in bonds and built Ashland
Stadium on the site on Park Avenue.
When played in East Orange, the fall football games were held
in Ashland Stadium, behind Ashland Elementary School on Park
Avenue.
In 1952, the stadium was renamed Martens Stadium, after the
recently retired Mayor Charles Martens (East Orange Mayor from
1918 - 1952).
In 1993-1994*, it was rebuilt and renamed Paul Robeson
Stadium, after the New Jersey born athlete and All American
football player, who was more famous as an actor, a world famous
bass singer, and political activist. He is shown below in a photo
taken in 1942.
*Information provided by Dwayne Williams (EOHS Class of 1995)
who remembered the dates and helped us to verify them. Thanks,
Dwayne!
East Orange High School Cheerleaders shown in the brand new
stadium in 1995, from the Syllabus Yearbook.
Google View from 2014
The East Orange Unified Marching Band began to keep
photographic records of the Thanksgiving Day games in 2009. Links
to their coverage on the Band Parent Web site are below.