Drive-By
Riverfront site drive-by
Visit the riverfront site of the demolished Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, now Riverfront Stadium / Equity Bank Park.
- Duration:
- 20 min
Photo coming soon
Other Dark Tourism Site
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
Wichita's historic 1934 baseball stadium and longtime home of the National Baseball Congress World Series, demolished in 2018 and reportedly haunted by NBC founder Raymond 'Hap' Dumont.
300 S Sycamore St (former site, now Riverfront Stadium / Equity Bank Park), Wichita, KS 67213
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 3sources
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Public exterior view of replacement Riverfront Stadium / Equity Bank Park; original Lawrence-Dumont demolished 2018.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Paved riverfront walkways.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1934 · Home of the National Baseball Congress and NBC World Series since 1934 · Founded by Wichita sports promoter Raymond 'Hap' Dumont · Renamed Lawrence-Dumont in 1978 to honor Dumont's legacy · Demolished November 2018; replaced by Riverfront Stadium / Equity Bank Park
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium opened on the west bank of the Arkansas River in Wichita's Delano district in 1934. It was built to host the National Baseball Congress (NBC) and its summer NBC World Series, both founded that same year by Wichita native Raymond 'Hap' Dumont. The NBC quickly became the nation's premier amateur and semi-pro baseball tournament, drawing teams from across the country and launching the careers of future major-league stars.
The stadium was originally known simply as Lawrence Stadium, named for an early Wichita civic figure. In 1978, the venue was officially rechristened Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in honor of Hap Dumont's lifetime contribution to amateur baseball.
Dumont died on June 14, 1971, at the age of 66 — in his office inside the stadium itself. He had spent decades promoting Wichita baseball from that same office, and his death there has remained central to the venue's local folklore ever since.
The stadium hosted the NBC World Series annually for more than eight decades, along with seasons of the Wichita Wingnuts and other minor-league tenants. By the 2010s, the facility was widely considered obsolete. In November 2018, the City of Wichita demolished Lawrence-Dumont Stadium to clear the site for a new ballpark, Riverfront Stadium (now Equity Bank Park), which opened in 2020 as home to the Wichita Wind Surge.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence%E2%80%93Dumont_Stadium
- https://www.kmuw.org/community/2013-10-03/photos-four-places-in-delano-you-might-not-suspect-were-haunted
- https://nbcbaseball.com/wichita-bids-adieu-to-lawrence-dumont-stadium/
Voice of Hap Dumont in corridors and officesShadowy figuresSensed presence before and after gamesVoice over PA telling technicians to lower volume during mic testJingling keys in former office
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium's most enduring ghost story centers on its founder, Raymond 'Hap' Dumont, who died in his stadium office in June 1971. According to KMUW Wichita's reporting on Delano-district hauntings, stadium staff over the decades reported hearing Dumont's voice in the corridors, seeing fleeting shadows, and feeling an unmistakable presence before and after NBC World Series games.
The most-cited single incident occurred during a microphone test before a tournament: technicians said an eerie voice came over the system telling them to turn down the volume — a detail consistent with Dumont's well-known dislike of overly loud public-address systems.
Paranormal investigator Laurie DeWinkler's team reported hearing 'someone jingling a set of keys' in Dumont's old office during one investigation, per KMUW's 2013 coverage.
Multiple sets of ashes were reportedly scattered at the stadium over the years, and locals say the haunting reports continued steadily until the building's 2018 demolition. Because the structure no longer exists, whether Dumont's presence persists at the replacement Riverfront Stadium site remains a matter of ongoing local speculation.
Notable Entities
Raymond 'Hap' Dumont (NBC founder, d. 1971 in stadium office)
Media Appearances
- KMUW Wichita — 'Four Places In Delano You Might Not Suspect Were Haunted' (2013)
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
Similar Destinations
Photo coming soon
Other Dark Tourism Site
Salon 5thirty5 (former Travel Air Manufacturing Building)
Wichita, KS
The building at 535 W Douglas Avenue is best known as the 1920s home of the Travel Air Manufacturing Company, founded in 1925 in Wichita by aviation pioneers Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, and Lloyd Stearman. The building now houses Salon 5thirty5 (The Perfect Touch beauty salon), an active hair and nail salon.
$$ All Ages
Family: High
Photo coming soon
Other Dark Tourism Site
Spektrum Muzik (former Central Plains Novelty)
Wichita, KS
The building at 905 W Douglas Avenue is more than 120 years old and sits in Wichita's historic Delano district. For roughly six decades it housed Central Plains Novelty, a family-run costume and novelty store. Today the storefront is home to Spektrum Muzik, a record store and print shop selling vinyl, CDs, and tapes.
$ All Ages
Family: High
Photo coming soon
Other Dark Tourism Site
Wilner Auditorium (Wichita State University)
Wichita, KS
Wilner Auditorium was built in 1938 as the Auditorium and Commons Building of what was then the University of Wichita, funded by the federal Public Works Administration. The 553-seat theater is home to WSU's theater program and was renamed for George D. Wilner, longtime head of the speech and theater program from 1923 until his retirement in 1959.
$ All Ages
Family: High
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence-Dumont Stadium family-friendly?
Demolished baseball stadium with gentle ghost-of-a-promoter folklore; suitable for all ages. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Lawrence-Dumont Stadium?
Public exterior view of replacement Riverfront Stadium / Equity Bank Park; original Lawrence-Dumont demolished 2018. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Lawrence-Dumont Stadium wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Paved riverfront walkways..