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Grave of the Father of Baseball

Field review by the editors.

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

You'd expect to find the Father of The Hula buried in Hawaii. But the Father of Baseball? Hawaii wasn't even part of the United States when Alexander Cartwright died there in 1892.

Nevertheless, the U.S. Congress officially decreed in 1953 that Cartwright was the Father of Baseball, to the dismay of those who believed that others deserved the credit. Cartwright supposedly did his fathering in 1846, in New York City. Three years later he headed west to California, and then kept going until he reached Hawaii, where he spent the rest of his life reportedly fathering baseball to the natives.

Cartwright's large tombstone mentions nothing about baseball, and would be hard to distinguish from the others in the cemetery were it not for the offerings of baseballs that are frequently left at its base.

Grave of the Father of Baseball

Oahu Cemetery

Address:
Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu, Oahu, HI
Directions:
In Oahu Cemetery. From H1 take exit 21 onto Hwy 61/Pali Hwy. Drive north and exit immediately onto Pacific Heights Rd. Take first left onto Pauoa Rd, cross over the highway, then take first right onto Nuuanu Ave. The Cemetery will quickly appear on the left. Turn left into it at the gated entrance. Cartwright's tombstone is just off of the road that you'll be on, on the right, about 100 yards in.
Hours:
Gates open dawn-6. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
808-538-1538
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