House Of David Baseball Sitting 1913 Real Photo Postcard
The House of David was a millenarian Christian communal society established in 1903 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Adherents, particularly the men, maintained long hair and beards in adherence to their religious vows, based on biblical interpretations. To generate income and promote their message, the colony formed professional barnstorming baseball teams, beginning around 1913, which soon achieved national recognition.
These distinctive teams toured extensively across the United States for decades, becoming a popular attraction due to their unique appearance and skilled play. They participated in thousands of exhibition games against amateur, semi-professional, and Negro League teams, often drawing significant crowds. The House of David baseball players represent a notable convergence of religious practice, sports entertainment, and early 20th-century American barnstorming culture.
These distinctive teams toured extensively across the United States for decades, becoming a popular attraction due to their unique appearance and skilled play. They participated in thousands of exhibition games against amateur, semi-professional, and Negro League teams, often drawing significant crowds. The House of David baseball players represent a notable convergence of religious practice, sports entertainment, and early 20th-century American barnstorming culture.
