The Jimmy Davis Park Partnership Advisory Council (PAC) met last Tuesday evening to discuss a proposal by PAC Chair Janie Reid to build and dedicate a new sign at the park less than a mile south of downtown Eatonton.
Reid envisions honoring the historical contributions of Black soldiers who returned to Eatonton and Putnam County after service in World War II to initiate a local baseball program.
Reid was careful to emphasize, however, that she didn’t feel a gesture to recognize and celebrate the “Brown Bombers,” as the team was known, would in any way discount the importance and significance of the county-owned park’s namesake, who was the first Black county commissioner in Putnam County history.
“This would take nothing away from Mr. Davis at all,” Reid stressed. “It would just be to recognize something that happened here that I also think shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Reid’s suggestion was well received, though several obstacles were identified, not the least being a lack of documentation about the Brown Bombers and not even much local lore still available about the team and the men who played for it from the mid-‘40s to as late as the 1980s. Apparently, there remains only one player still alive in Eatonton, and he is already a centenarian.
Regardless, Reid said she envisions a new primary sign at the park, near its entrance off Hogan Boulevard, prominently stating “Jimmy Davis Park,” as the current sign does, but also featuring “Home of the Brown Bombers Baseball Field.” She also suggested placing a historical marker somewhere on the park’s grounds, perhaps near the existing baseball field, where the names of Brown Bombers players might be listed, or a brief explanation of the team’s history could be provided.
After about 30 minutes of discussion, the proposal was unanimously approved by five voting members of the council present.
No timeline was established for the project, but research has already started on the Brown Bombers. Anyone with documentation or memories of the team or specific players is encouraged to contact Reid.