SILENT GROUNDS COLLECTIVE · NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL ARCHIVE

Yale Bowl

SGC-89 · Research edition September 24, 2026

A photographic history with cited opening dates, collection history and individually credited images. Historic views, later photographs and illustrations are dated separately. This is a selected collection, not an exhaustive inventory.

Collection cover: see credited item below

The story in pictures

Yale Bowl in 1936

Yale Bowl in 1936

1936

Carl Van Vechten photographed the Bowl more than twenty years after its opening. The empty curves of seating make the stadium’s continuous shape especially clear.

Image credit and source
Yale Bowl from the air, 1924

Yale Bowl from the air, 1924

1924

A period aerial view shows the stadium, surrounding fields and roads. The Bowl opened a decade earlier, in November 1914.

Image credit and source
Richard M. Scovil in Yale’s opening season

Richard M. Scovil in Yale’s opening season

November 7, 1914

A Bain News Service portrait of Yale player Richard M. Scovil, made before the Bowl’s official opening game. The catalog’s spelling is retained in the original source record.

Image credit and source
Brann of Yale, 1914

Brann of Yale, 1914

November 7, 1914

Bain News Service’s portrait identifies the player as Brann. The stands behind him connect an individual athlete with the new stadium’s first season.

Image credit and source
Carroll W. Knowles, Yale football

Carroll W. Knowles, Yale football

November 5, 1914

A glass-negative portrait of Carroll W. Knowles, photographed shortly before the new Bowl’s opening game.

Image credit and source
Frank Hinkey and Tom Shevlin

Frank Hinkey and Tom Shevlin

November 7, 1914

The Bain photograph identifies Frank Hinkey and Tom Shevlin together beside the football stands during the 1914 season.

Image credit and source
Yale scores against Georgia

Yale scores against Georgia

Game: October 10, 1925; published October 11

A newspaper action photograph shows Billy Kline scoring for Yale. The game date and publication date are distinct.

Image credit and source
Georgia attacks the Yale line

Georgia attacks the Yale line

Published October 17, 1924

A Yale Press action photograph identifies J. D. Thomason carrying the ball against Yale. The retained printed caption belongs to the period publication.

Image credit and source
Army’s Cagle on a long run

Army’s Cagle on a long run

October 27, 1928

A period photograph follows Cagle during a 51-yard run against Yale. The printed image captures movement across a field often seen only in panoramic stadium views.

Image credit and source
A Princeton punt at New Haven

A Princeton punt at New Haven

Game: November 14, 1925; published November 15

The newspaper photograph identifies Princeton’s Jake Slagle kicking against Yale. Publication followed the game by one day.

Image credit and source
Yale Bowl aerial view 2023 (Quintin Soloviev)

Yale Bowl aerial view 2023 (Quintin Soloviev)

13 July 2023

Yale Bowl from above, 2023

Image credit and source
Panorama of Yale Bowl

Panorama of Yale Bowl

2019-09-28

Panoramic image of Yale Bowl, the Yale University football field. Yale/Cornell football game, September 28, 2019. View from home stands; scoreboard at left.

Image credit and source
Yale Bowl Exterior

Yale Bowl Exterior

2006-11-11

Yale Bowl. There are 30 tunnels into the stadium. Doesn't look like much from the outside, does it? But it's huge on the inside.

Image credit and source
Walter Camp Gate 1

Walter Camp Gate 1

August 2005

The Walter Camp Gate, entryway to the Yale Athletic Facilities on Derby Road.

Image credit and source
Read the full history

Collection history

On November 21, 1914, Yale and Harvard played the opening game in a stadium unlike the familiar grandstands of earlier football grounds. The seating curved around the whole field. From outside, much of the stadium’s scale remained hidden; through its entrances, spectators emerged into an enormous bowl. Yale’s own history identifies it as the first football venue with seating completely surrounding the playing surface. [SGC89-S1]

The photographs bring that first era down to human scale. Glass negatives show players and coaches in 1914, while later action pictures follow runners and kickers across the field. They belong beside the sweeping stadium views: the same place could feel like a sea of people from above and an intensely physical contest at ground level. Candel’s pre-opening panorama records a scrimmage, not the official first game. [SGC89-S2]

The Bowl’s public life extended beyond college football to professional football, international soccer, concerts and the 1995 Special Olympic World Games. Entrances, seating and the surrounding athletic grounds changed, but the encircling shape remained its signature. The gallery pairs period photographs with dated recent views so visitors can compare the stadium’s enduring form with the changing crowds and city around it. [SGC89-S1]

Key dates

  • November 14, 1914 — Copyright deposit date for the first-scrimmage panorama. SGC89-S2
  • November 21, 1914 — Official opening game against Harvard. SGC89-S1
  • 1995 — Special Olympic World Games among the Bowl’s wider uses. SGC89-S1

Search the collection

Includes source text where acquired. Source websites require an internet connection. OCR may contain errors; verify names and dates against the scan.

16 catalog entries

SGC89-S1 · Historical sources · Source dates described in record

Yale Athletics: Yale Bowl history

Official opening date, stadium design, historic uses and dimensions.

Linked source. Photographs and documents at the publisher retain their individual rights.

Credit: Yale Athletics: Yale Bowl history. Cite SGC SGC-89, SGC89-S1, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

SGC89-S2 · Historical sources · Source dates described in record

Library of Congress: First scrimmage in the Yale Bowl

J. H. Candel’s 1914 panoramic photograph, copyrighted November 14, before the inaugural Harvard game.

Linked source. Photographs and documents at the publisher retain their individual rights.

Credit: Library of Congress: First scrimmage in the Yale Bowl. Cite SGC SGC-89, SGC89-S2, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-66209592 · Photographs · 1936

Yale Bowl in 1936

Carl Van Vechten photographed the Bowl more than twenty years after its opening. The empty curves of seating make the stadium’s continuous shape especially clear.

Reproduced from the credited source. Source image retained without generative alteration. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 1cf6cd56210391070c02ac15b90f354e01f60fcd0d7c0e94e7d3bcd05a543f5c.

Yale Bowl in 1936Credit: Carl Van Vechten; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-66209592, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-46546396 · Photographs · 1924

Yale Bowl from the air, 1924

A period aerial view shows the stadium, surrounding fields and roads. The Bowl opened a decade earlier, in November 1914.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: c390c65a59edcd798bb040d477e54824a6531a99185d3ed5682a27a64b042609.

Yale Bowl from the air, 1924Credit: Unknown author Unknown author or not provided; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-46546396, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-67280592 · Photographs · November 7, 1914

Richard M. Scovil in Yale’s opening season

A Bain News Service portrait of Yale player Richard M. Scovil, made before the Bowl’s official opening game. The catalog’s spelling is retained in the original source record.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 5e3e422d2f01cfaac64e540e8eac4beb55bfd254f52a6f839b84af9ec9253dba.

Richard M. Scovil in Yale’s opening seasonCredit: Bain News Service, publisher; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-67280592, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-67280633 · Photographs · November 7, 1914

Brann of Yale, 1914

Bain News Service’s portrait identifies the player as Brann. The stands behind him connect an individual athlete with the new stadium’s first season.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: b4215b9c7f310e27abee91eeacf541849b03446f9b3c7211650c877b9fcf1f2e.

Brann of Yale, 1914Credit: Bain News Service, publisher; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-67280633, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-67280626 · Photographs · November 5, 1914

Carroll W. Knowles, Yale football

A glass-negative portrait of Carroll W. Knowles, photographed shortly before the new Bowl’s opening game.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 1d023bc070398c30bb4c87987a6b140a2a35cfd2290243969744fad41162a0d9.

Carroll W. Knowles, Yale footballCredit: Bain News Service, publisher; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-67280626, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-67280725 · Photographs · November 7, 1914

Frank Hinkey and Tom Shevlin

The Bain photograph identifies Frank Hinkey and Tom Shevlin together beside the football stands during the 1914 season.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 760e74be89d62c7f136eda1affb7e3fa28407340bc3a3c999c67745ed7f62496.

Frank Hinkey and Tom ShevlinCredit: Bain News Service, publisher; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-67280725, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-176111171 · Photographs · Game: October 10, 1925; published October 11

Yale scores against Georgia

A newspaper action photograph shows Billy Kline scoring for Yale. The game date and publication date are distinct.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 132898cbec29b553125b9b34d230f4104fce366d566699ffd1dac7fbbfaf9360.

Yale scores against GeorgiaCredit: Times Wide World Photos; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-176111171, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-155324126 · Photographs · Published October 17, 1924

Georgia attacks the Yale line

A Yale Press action photograph identifies J. D. Thomason carrying the ball against Yale. The retained printed caption belongs to the period publication.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 8d2f0cac19ca55bd891125d0bc55f1548bfb8f09ffaefe626a2da033af975160.

Georgia attacks the Yale lineCredit: The Yale Press; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-155324126, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-157435973 · Photographs · October 27, 1928

Army’s Cagle on a long run

A period photograph follows Cagle during a 51-yard run against Yale. The printed image captures movement across a field often seen only in panoramic stadium views.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: cd849879b1df21ed8561ba756fc9c8d9ca30e5a9583904a8a447b4492c779962.

Army’s Cagle on a long runCredit: Times Wide World Photo; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-157435973, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-178427538 · Photographs · Game: November 14, 1925; published November 15

A Princeton punt at New Haven

The newspaper photograph identifies Princeton’s Jake Slagle kicking against Yale. Publication followed the game by one day.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 08318be9fafcc8cda6723a6f1358251a0c84b1d35948853c666997e55cb61740.

A Princeton punt at New HavenCredit: Times Wide World Photos; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-178427538, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-143765591 · Photographs · 13 July 2023

Yale Bowl aerial view 2023 (Quintin Soloviev)

Yale Bowl from above, 2023

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 6b33b05b77d64e2085d578b822d87570b036fdd816b9316ab1eb0c05e45d187d.

Yale Bowl aerial view 2023 (Quintin Soloviev)Credit: Quintin Soloviev; CC BY 4.0; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-143765591, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-82662871 · Photographs · 2019-09-28

Panorama of Yale Bowl

Panoramic image of Yale Bowl, the Yale University football field. Yale/Cornell football game, September 28, 2019. View from home stands; scoreboard at left.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: d6758cf8c9c4d16bbad813bd385b532694fc2afec7dc492cb3e7d1d0af875cca.

Panorama of Yale BowlCredit: Kenneth Zirkel; CC BY-SA 4.0; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-82662871, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-1851276 · Photographs · 2006-11-11

Yale Bowl Exterior

Yale Bowl. There are 30 tunnels into the stadium. Doesn't look like much from the outside, does it? But it's huge on the inside.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 7c9a0749fbe31cf431eeb9b0433803c24a91b5bb5850631e838941f1bc7edf05.

Yale Bowl ExteriorCredit: Peter Dutton from Forest Hills, Queens, USA; CC BY 2.0; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-1851276, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.

PHOTO-16086805 · Photographs · August 2005

Walter Camp Gate 1

The Walter Camp Gate, entryway to the Yale Athletic Facilities on Derby Road.

Reproduced from the credited source. A resized source derivative is used for display; the original-resolution source remains linked. Hosted by Silent Grounds Collective. SHA-256 of uploaded source: 64ea9e2cba4394c6ad325914a0c090302af0761a595a49275f913fa89fd49155.

Walter Camp Gate 1Credit: T. S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia; CC BY-SA 3.0; Wikimedia Commons. Cite SGC SGC-89, PHOTO-16086805, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.