Reggie Jackson’s Childhood Home Set for Demolition in Wyncote

WYNCOTE, Pa. — The childhood home of Hall of Fame baseball player Reggie Jackson is scheduled for demolition on Monday, April 14, according to officials from Cheltenham Township. The abandoned property at 149 Greenwood Avenue, once filled with memories of Jackson’s early life, will be torn down to make way for a parking lot adjacent to a new gym and co-working space.

Jackson, known as ‘Mr. October’ for his clutch postseason performances, grew up in the two-story home during the 1950s and 1960s. His father, Martinez Jackson, operated a tailor shop on the first floor while raising Reggie and his siblings.

The property, constructed in 1900, has been vacant for decades, with its last occupant being an insurance agency in the 1970s. Matt Sigel, whose firm Station Partners owns the property, stated, ‘There’s really nothing left of the house from when Reggie lived there,’ emphasizing the decay that has overtaken the structure.

In July 2024, Cheltenham Township approved the demolition and plans for the new parking facility, which will cater to both the iThrive co-working office and the Elite ID Fitness gym located within the same complex. Township commissioner Ann Rappoport noted that Jackson had expressed no desire to preserve the property and that there was no significant interest from others to attempt relocation.

Despite the impending demolition, Sigel shared insights into Jackson’s fond memories of his upbringing. ‘I’ve talked to Reggie a dozen-plus times, and he has very fond memories of growing up there and the area,’ Sigel remarked.

Jackson’s father, a former second baseman in the Negro Leagues, supported his son’s athletic ambitions, hoping to steer him away from the family’s tailoring business. As a Cheltenham High School athlete, Jackson excelled in multiple sports, eventually earning a football scholarship to Arizona State University before choosing baseball.

The former home has undergone several ownership changes over the years and has fallen into disrepair. Sigel pointed out, ‘A lot of the history and character of that building had been removed and destroyed.’ Once demolished, there are plans to install a historical plaque commemorating Jackson’s legacy at the site.

Construction of the parking lot is expected to begin in early May and take approximately eight weeks. As one of the most celebrated players in baseball history, Jackson boasts five World Series championships and a career defined by significant postseason contributions, leading to his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993. He continues to serve as a special adviser for the Houston Astros.