Recently, people walking by Ferry Field in Ann Arbor have noticed that a piece of history has gone missing. The historic field, used for University of Michigan track events, was once the site where legendary Olympian Jesse Owens broke four world records in less than 45 minutes. A plaque commemorating this achievement was displayed at the field, but it has since been removed.
The plaque honoring Jesse Owens will be replaced by a new one from the International Athletics Foundation, an organization that preserves historic track and field moments. The unveiling of the new plaque will take place at Ferry Field on May 9th at 10 a.m. The field is located off South State Street in Ann Arbor, and the ceremony will coincide with the 2024 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Jesse Owens made history at Ferry Field during the 1935 conference championships when he broke multiple world records in quick succession despite battling an injury. His remarkable achievements in the 100-yard dash, long jump, 220-yard dash, and 220-yard low hurdles are still remembered today. Owens went on to win four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, with Adolph Hitler in attendance.
The original plaque dedicated to Jesse Owens at Ferry Field in 1985 will be replaced by the World Athletics Heritage Plaque. The hope is that members of Owens’ family will be able to attend the unveiling ceremony in May. To stay updated on news like this, you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, Michigan Schools, or bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page for more Ann Arbor-area updates.