Historic ballpark featured in 'A League of Their Own' burns to the ground in Southern California

California community members are mourning the loss of a beloved historic ballpark that was featured in several Hollywood films and gave little league teams a place to play.

Ontario’s Jay Littleton Ball Park, located roughly 40 miles outside of downtown Los Angeles, burned down Thursday night, according to a news release from the Ontario Fire Department.

The Ontario Fire Department responded to the scene Thursday at 11:32 p.m. and found a fire in the baseball park’s wooden grandstands. Officials requested help and 51 personnel arrived at the scene, including eight fire engines, the fire department said in a news release posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The fire was contained at 12:39 a.m. Friday and no victims were found, the department said.

The fire’s cause is still under investigation.

More on the landmark featured in 'A League of Their Own'

The park was built in John Galvin Park between 1936 and 1937. The construction was part of an expansion of the park’s recreational facilities, according to the city.

According to Ontario officials, people began playing ball at the park over 80 years ago. The park has all-wooden grandstands that were built in 1937, and professional baseball players for the Ontario Orioles, a minor league team, took to the field for one season in 1947, according to the city.

The park has been featured in numerous Hollywood films, including “Eight Men Out,” “The Babe Ruth Story,” and “A League of Their Own.”

The ballpark was dedicated to Joe "Jay" Littleton in 1998. Calling him “an important local figure in baseball and youth sports,” the city said many little leagues and amateur leagues still played at the park prior to the fire. The park was named a historic Landmark in 2003.

In November 2018, the city of Ontario announced that Lowe's donated funding and staffing resources to replace the wooden steps in the grandstand at Jay Littleton Ball Park.

Community wishes tearful goodbye to local landmark

Once word got out about the fire at the park, social media users and locals mourned the loss online.

"We never thought we would witness this beautiful historic Jay Littleton Ball Park burn nearly to the ground," wrote one Facebook user. "I’m so sad. I spent many hours of my childhood watching many ball games there. Mostly played by the boys I went to school with. This is a huge heartbreak. I know for a fact the BALL PARK will be RE-BUILT!!!"

D'Andre Lampkin, from the city's planning commission, wrote on Facebook that he is grateful for everyone who reached out about the loss. Calling it a "cherished landmark," he shared photos of the wreckage and said the park has been part of the city's heritage for a long time.

"The demand to rebuild Jay Littleton Ballpark is strong, and I am committed to doing everything within my professional capacity to support those efforts," Lampkin wrote. "While it has loss its nationally historic designation, I know that together we can honor the memory of the ballpark and ensure its legacy continues for future generations."

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].