Crosley Field, home of the Cincinnati Reds for nearly six decades was a small pristine ballpark with lots of charm and character. The history of the Reds in Cincinnati dates back to 1869. Prior to moving into Crosley Field the team played at several ballparks including Bank Street Grounds, two ballparks known as League Park and Palace of the Fans. Located along the intersection of Findlay and Western Avenues, the Reds played at the second League Park from 1894 until 1901. In 1902 Reds owner John Brush rebuilt the grandstand of League Park. Named Palace of the Fans it was built mostly of steel and concrete, and was the first baseball palace. It had a distinguishing architecture look with ornament columns and concrete opera boxes. However by 1907 the ballpark began to deteriorate and in 1911 it burned. The Reds played at Palace of the Fans from April 17, 1902 until October 12, 1911.

A new ballpark was constructed on the same site and was named Redland Field. With a seating capacity of 22,000, the Reds played their first game at Redland Field on May 18, 1912 against the Chicago Cubs. The lower deck of the ballpark extended from homeplate to both the right and left field foul poles, while the upper deck grandstand extended from behind homeplate, to past both the first and third base dugouts. Bleachers were located in right field and came to a point in right center field. This area became known as the sun deck. Outside, the ballpark had a red brick facade. One feature that made Redland Field unique was the terrace in front of the left field fence. It was an incline that started 20 feet from the left field wall and gradually increased until it reached the four feet grade at the wall. Original dimensions at Redland Field were 360 ft. (right and left) and 420 ft. (center).

In 1919, Redland Field under went many changes. For the World Series in 1919, the street behind left field was blocked off and temporary stands were built. Portable seats were added in front of the lower deck and then were replaced permanently with box seats in 1926.  The same year homeplate was moved 20 feet forward creating new dimensions that were 339 ft. (left), 395 ft. (center), and 383 ft. (right). The team and the ballpark were purchased by Powel Crosley in 1934 and the ballpark was renamed.

With the effects of the Great Depression in Cincinnati, the Reds convinced baseball owners to allow night baseball at Crosley Field. Without lights, the team would fold because of low attendance as it had dropped by 300,000 fans between 1926 and 1934. Baseball owners decided to allow lights to be installed at Crosley Field. It became the first professional baseball stadium with lights when the Reds played their first game under them on May 24, 1935. Night baseball increased attendance by 100 percent. In 1937, Cincinnati was flooded including Crosley Field as homeplate was covered with 21 feet of water in January 1937. After the flood, the park had to be cleaned of all debris. A press box was built on the roof of the second deck in 1938. Expecting to advance to the World Series in 1938, the team decided to extend the second deck to the left and right field foul poles during mid season. An extra area of seating called the "goatrun" was built in front of the right field fence in 1946.