Black History Month Public Health Pioneers 2025
Updated: February 4, 2025
In recognition of Black History Month, each week this month the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) will detail the careers and accomplishments of selected Delaware County Black community members making a difference in public health. For 2025, DCHD is shining a light on pioneers from Delaware County who support public health by promoting healthy habits and community well-being.
The Darby Hilldale Baseball Club
Hilldale Baseball Club is a historically significant baseball team deeply rooted in Black history and public health. The Hilldale Baseball Club started at the same location where the Delaware County Health Department now operates its Yeadon Wellness Center. The club's story began on May 29, 1910, when 19-year-old Austin Thompson from Darby, Pennsylvania, placed an ad in the Philadelphia Sunday Item seeking to arrange games with 14- to 15-year-old traveling teams, offering to cover half of their expenses.
Darby had a growing population of Black residents who lived primarily in a segregated area called "the Hill." It served as a close-knit community. Bringing together a group of young Black men to play baseball garnered much attention. The proximity to Philadelphia meant that Thompson’s team could interact with and eventually compete against some of the region's top African American baseball teams, building its reputation and gaining recognition.
What started as a local initiative with a youth team eventually expanded into a larger, more professional operation when entrepreneur and postal worker Ed Bolden invested in the team. Bolden’s efforts attracted older and more experienced players, gaining Hilldale national attention. The club became a member of the Eastern Colored League (ECL), one of the major Negro Leagues that existed due to Major League Baseball (MLB) segregation.
The Hilldale team was regarded as a highly competitive club, considered one of the country's best African American baseball teams. It was known for its talented roster and competitive play. Some of the notable players included Biz Mackey, Judy Johnson, and John Henry Lloyd, who went on to have professional baseball careers. Many of Hilldale's players were later inducted into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Many of their relics are stored in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in New York and the Negro League Baseball Museum in Missouri.
Hilldale Baseball Club will be remembered not just for its competitive success but also for its cultural and social significance within Darby’s community during an era of racial segregation. Baseball served as a form of social medicine, promoting community togetherness, physical activity, and pride. The sport helped individuals combat the psychological toll of racial discrimination and created spaces for personal growth and empowerment.
For Delaware County residents: The Line-Up Barbershop, located at 125 Chester Ave, Yeadon, serves as a local preservation site and museum for the history of the Hilldale Club and Negro League baseball. Owners Kyle and Rashid are community-oriented and have kept the spirit of togetherness alive through their shop and engagement with local youth.
