Baseball Cards in Evansville, Indiana: A Rich History of the Hobby
The city of Evansville, located in southwestern Indiana along the banks of the Ohio River, has a long and rich history with baseball cards and the hobby of card collecting. While the roots of baseball card collecting can be traced all the way back to the late 19th century with the emergence of trade cards, Evansville really came into its own as a hotbed for the hobby in the latter half of the 20th century. Several key factors contributed to Evansville developing such a strong baseball card collecting culture that still thrives today.
Perhaps the biggest reason for Evansville’s prominence in the baseball card world was the presence of numerous card shops that catered directly to collectors. In the 1970s and 80s, it seemed like nearly every strip mall in town housed at least one shop solely dedicated to the sales of cards, supplies, and related memorabilia. Stores like Ace Hobby & Cards, Stadium Sports Cards, and Topps Cards became local institutions where collectors of all ages congregated daily to trade, sell, and discuss the latest releases. These shops helped fuel the growth of the hobby by giving collectors a dedicated place to engage with others who shared their passion.
Another major factor was the city’s proximity to larger card producing companies. Topps, the largest baseball card manufacturer, had a printing plant and distribution center located just an hour away in Cynthiana, Kentucky during the peak decades of the hobby from the 1960s-1990s. This close proximity meant Evansville shops and collectors often received new releases well before they reached other parts of the country. Many lesser known regional card companies operated out of nearby cities like Louisville, providing Evansville with a steady stream of unique local issues to chase. The bounty of available cards kept the local hobby buzzing.
Evansville’s small town atmosphere also contributed to the strength of its card collecting community. In a city of only 120,000 residents in the 1970s-80s, it seemed like everyone either collected cards themselves or knew someone who did. The tight-knit nature of the city and prevalence of card shops made it easy for collectors of all ages to connect with others to trade, learn, and foster the growth of their collections. Many lifelong friendships were formed over impassioned discussions about the latest rookie sensations or oddball vintage finds unearthed from attic stashes.
The University of Southern Indiana’s baseball program also helped keep interest in the hobby strong for multiple generations. USI first fielded a team in 1970 and saw steady growth in popularity over subsequent decades. Local collectors naturally gravitated towards chasing USI players’ rookie cards and following the careers of Screaming Eagles alumni who made their way to the pros. USI games provided a regular social outlet and sense of community that further bonded the city’s card collectors.
All of these factors combined to make Evansville a true hotbed for baseball card collecting throughout the latter 20th century. The local shops, proximity to manufacturers, small town vibe, and college baseball program created the perfect conditions for a thriving hobby scene. While the internet has since connected collectors worldwide and big box retailers replaced specialized shops, Evansville’s legacy lives on. Many lifelong residents still proudly call themselves “card collectors from Evansville” and fondly reminisce about building their collections in the city that embraced their passion. The roots planted decades ago in the local shops, attics, and card shows of Evansville still bear fruit for collectors today. The city rightly deserves its place in the history books as an epicenter for what was once America’s biggest hobby.
