On our journey from Williston, as we left Raleigh we soon entered Alachua County. Nearing the town of Archer, this side of Blue Pete Lake, we slowed and pulled off US27. In years past, when we would pass through this area, usually on a week-end, the roads on both sides would be lined with vehicles. In the field, complete with uniforms, a large gathering of people would be cheering on a baseball game.
The field was toward Archer next to a row of three buildings, the blue building or "jook" called "Boobies" closest to the field. Ann Hipp Mckinley, who for years has lived next to the field on the banks of Blue Pete Lake, said she missed hearing the sound of ballgames wafting over from the gatherings.
In the early South, before segregation in the sixties merged black and white leagues, the African-American communities had leagues spread throughout America, semi-pro and pro, even a World Series.
Walter "Rev" Cannady of Lake City, an infielder and pitcher in the old Negro leagues, listed in his obituary, just a few of the many teams he played on: Columbus Buckeyes, Cleveland Tate Stars, Homestead Grays, Dayton Marcos, Hilldale Daisies, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Cincinnati-Indianapolis Clowns and the New York Cubans.
The nearest semi-pro team closest to Archer were the Jacksonville Red Caps, with many other Barnstorming and semi-pro and "minor" teams in the Florida West Coast league, including the Tampa Grays, Miami Giants and Ethiopian Clowns. There was even an all white barnstorming team called the House of David that often traveled with and competed against the Giants and Clowns in exhibitions, much like the Harlem Globetrotter and Washington Generals.
It is entirely plausible that one of these barnstorming teams passed through this little hamlet. Lost in Florida trust's there is someone out there who perhaps recalls and will report the information.
But, like the old Negro Leagues, the buildings will soon be gone, the leaning backstop and outfield perimeter fence soon fallen and plowed over. We will have no reason to slow as we once did.
The "colorful" nicknamed players Fats, Satchel, The Ghost, Dobie, Mule,Tubby, Double Duty, Chino, Big Ed, Candy Jim, Cool Papa and Rev lost along with their memory as few survive.
the three remaining buildings
the remnants of the old dugout
the field looking from home plate toward the outfield.
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