Life Behind the Lens: The Graceville Oilers
Keeping the Oilers’ Story Alive
It all started with a single photograph. An aerial shot of the Gold Kist Peanut Company in Graceville. At first glance, it’s just a picture of a business from decades ago, but for me, it opened a door. In the background of that photo stood Sportsman Park — home of the Graceville Oilers. That one image sparked a project I didn’t expect: digging into the history of the smallest town to ever host a professional baseball team.
Most people who know me know that I spend most of my time behind the camera, photographing seniors, families, and sports teams. But when I’m not doing that, I’ve been pouring my heart into this personal project. From newspaper clippings to artifacts, from interviews to uniform design research, I’ve been piecing together the story of the Oilers and what they meant to our town in the early 1950s.
Sonny Campbell
One of my earliest interviews was with Josh “Sonny” Campbell. He wasn’t a player — he was a child growing up in Graceville during the Oilers’ brief but exciting run. His mother, Ruby Campbell, actually won the naming contest for Sportsman Park and hosted many of the Oilers players in her home. Sonny lit up when he talked about the announcers, the uniforms, and the thrill of watching professional baseball right here in Graceville. His memories give us a priceless fan’s-eye view of what those summers felt like, and how deeply the team connected with the community.
Leon Davis
Later, I had the chance to sit down with former Oiler Leon Davis. Leon joined the team partway through the 1953 season after starting that year in Dothan. He remembered Coach Holt “Cat” Milner, the challenges of small-town minor league travel, and even playing in uniforms that were far from glamorous. After his time with the Oilers, Leon went on to serve in the military, even playing ball while stationed in Korea. Hearing him reflect on both baseball and life beyond the game adds a powerful layer to this project — one that connects Graceville’s story to a larger American story.
Why does this matter to me? Because stories like these connect us. They remind us that even small towns can make a big mark. The Oilers weren’t just a baseball team — they were part of Graceville’s identity. They gave kids heroes to look up to, brought families together at the ballpark, and put our town’s name in sports history books.
Through this project, I’m working to preserve and share the Oilers’ legacy in as many ways as I can — photos, videos, interviews, and hopefully even a full archive one day. This is personal to me, not just because I love sports and history, but because I believe in the power of stories to bring communities together.
If you’re from Graceville and you have memories, photos, or stories about the Oilers, I’d love to hear from you. Every detail helps keep this history alive. Together, we can make sure the Oilers’ story isn’t forgotten.
Because at the end of the day, this is more than baseball. It’s about community. It’s about legacy. It’s about telling ourstory.
#StoriesFromTheStands #GracevilleOilers #TellYOURStory