Along West Main Street, next to the Franklin primary school, there is a calm but powerful monument to the sustainable sports tradition of Marshalltown – Franklin Field. For more than a century, this historic place has resonated with acclamations, triumphs and the steps of generations of student-athletes, while symbolizing the collective pride of a city which never stops believing in your youth.
Dedicated on October 21, 1922 – When Marshalltown High School (MHS) celebrated with a decisive 32-0 victory over Grinnell – Franklin Field was born from an effort on the scale of the community. Before its construction, the MHS teams played in the rented community park. The dream of a permanent house has become real through equity in sweat of students and the unwavering support of families and citizens.
“Franklin Field is out of doubt one of the best state landscaping in the state,” said the 1923 Pebbles directory. “Much time and efforts have been devoted to the entire student body to collect funds and push the project so that in recent years, other students can take advantage of their work.”
And they did it.
Funny fact: when the first match was played on Franklin Field in 1922, the MHS athletes were not known as the Bobcats – they were the Bulldogs. It was not until later in the 1920s that students voted to adopt the Bobcat as an official mascot of the school, a symbol that still proudly represents Marshalltown today.
Franklin Field quickly won his place in the state sports tradition. In 1925, just his third season, he welcomed one of the most dominant preparation football teams in Iowa. The MHS team went 8-0, outclassing the opponents 224-7 and winning the title “Mythical State Champions”. This perfect record was partially confiscated later when the star athlete Allie Morrison – who was going to win from Olympic gold to struggle – was deemed ineligible to be 21 years old. However, the domination of the team remains legendary.
The 1940s brought a golden age under the direction of the legendary coach Leonard Cole. In 1943, 1944 and 1947, MHS remained undefeated at 9-0 – each season ending with another “legendary state championship” and cementing the football heritage of Marshalltown.
Franklin Field also marked history beyond the grill. In 1922, he became the site of the first radio program live from a football match in high school. From this moment, his role only growed. In 1966, he became the house of the university football team Junior Marshalltown, trained by Terry Leeper, who shared the field with the MHS until the end of the program in 1978.
Since 1981, Franklin Field has been the main outdoor sports area for Miller Junior High – now Miller Middle School. For more than 40 years, he has provided a scene to students athletes who have taken their first competitive measures. The athletics of the college is essential in the development of young people, encouraging teamwork, confidence, discipline and long-term well-being.
Now Franklin Field is ready for a new chapter.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 1:15 p.m., the Marshalltown Community School District will organize a revolutionary ceremony to launch the long -awaited reconstruction of Franklin Field. This stage is part of the “Reimagine Miller” project, funded by a referendum on obligations in 2024 which reflects crushing community support.
The renovation will include the installation of synthetic lawn, an updated track, improved lighting and improved spectator equipment. More specifically, the Franklin Revitalized field will serve as a recreational and interscholastic installation with high quality public access for the north side of the city – similar to the high school stadium on the south side. Football, football, runners and walkers will benefit from this modern and inclusive space.
What started as an initiative led by students in 1922 has become a living heritage. Franklin Field is more than a place – it is a cornerstone of the History, History and Hopes of Marshalltown for the future. As its second century approach, Franklin Field remains a place where history is made, champions are born and community pride is deep.
——-
Dr Theron J. Schutte is a proud former student of the Marshalltown high school who is currently the superintendent of the Marshalltown Community School District.
