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This was originally one of baseball's more majestic double-decked ballparks, but on May 15, 1894 a fire broke out in the bleachers during a Boston-Baltimore game and quickly engulfed the park before spreading to the surrounding neighborhood and destroying 177 buildings. The South End Grounds were rebuilt on a smaller scale, due to insufficient funds from the insurance settlement, and the Braves played their 1914 WS games at larger Fenway Park before moving into Braves Field the following season. (SCL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 15, 1894: In the aftermath of a fierce fight between Baltimore's John McGraw and Boston's Tommy Tucker in the 3rd inning, a devastating fire starts in the RF stands at Boston's South End Grounds. The fire destroys $70,000 worth of equipment as well as the park, the only truly double-decked grandstand Boston would ever have. The fire spreads to adjacent blocks and eventually destroys or severely damages 170 buildings. The team moves to the Congress Street ball park for several months before returning to the rebuilt Walpole Street Park. » September 26, 1900: At Boston's South End Grounds, Giants reliever Christy Mathewson fails to hold a 7-4 lead, and Boston wins, 8-7. It is Matty's 3rd loss. The Giants will return the rookie to Norfolk rather than pay $1500, and Mathewson will be picked up by Cincinnati for $100. » May 1, 1905: Cold weather holds the crowd to 1,500 at South End Grounds, as Christy Mathewson and the Giants freeze the Beaneaters, 8-2. For Matty, it is his 100th career victory. » September 1, 1908: The month starts with the Giants in 1st in the NL with a 69-45 record, followed by Chicago (70-47) and the Pirates (69-47). New York shakes off its three loss to Chicago by beating up on Boston, winning two at South End Grounds. Hooks Wiltse takes the opener, 4-1, and Mathewson coasts home in the 2nd game, 8-0, allowing three hits. Dummy Taylor pitches the 9th against the Doves. » September 7, 1914: The Braves and Giants play an A.M.-P.M. twin bill in Boston on Labor Day. To accommodate the crowds, the Braves have moved their home games to Fenway Park, courtesy of owner Joe Lannin: Fenway has triple the seating capacity of South End Grounds. The two contests draw 74,163 on the day. The Braves, down 4–3 to Christy Mathewson in the 9th, storm back for two runs to win the opener. Josh Devore scratches a single, Herb Moran doubles into the crowd ringing the outfield, and Johnny Evers slaps a single that eludes George Burns to drive home the tying and winning runs. Jeff Tesreau wins the nitecap, 10–1, and the Giants pile on Lefty Tyler. In the Giants' 4-run sixth, Fred Snodgrass takes a pitch on the sleeve to reach 1B, thumbing his nose at Tyler along the way. Lefty retaliates by acting out Fred's 1912 muff. When Snodgrass returns to CF, the crowd is merciless to the point that Boston Mayor Curley rushes on the field and demands the umpires eject the Giant player. McGraw, worried that Snodgrass might incur an injury, replaces Snodgrass.