In July of 2006, a man named Joseph Preston "Pete" Hill, born in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1880, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Among numerous accolades, Hill, whose first name is really John, was called, "one of the greatest line-drive hitters of his era." As history unraveled, evidence indicated Pete Hill was actually a Culpeper native. Zann Nelson embarked on a six-month research project to find the truth of Pete Hill's life story including his correct name, birthplace, birth date and date of death.
Articles
OUR VIEW: Hill story gives county its second hall of famer
» The story of Pete Hill was one of the most interesting untold stories of Culpeper County, we owe great appreciation to Zann Nelson for uncovering the mystery
Hill helped build Negro Leagues
Pete Hill, who new evidence suggests was born in Culpeper County, was one of the pioneers of black professional baseball, making his professional debut in 1899 and starring for several black teams into the 1920s.
Digging deeper
Baseball Hall of Famer and most likely the son of former slaves, John Preston “Pete” Hill, born in the village of Buena, Culpeper County, Virginia in 1882, lived his entire adult life north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
The mystery unravels
Record-keeping mistake actually helps clear things up
Of this there's no doubt, Hill was a great ball player
Pete Hill was among the best offensive players of his era
Correcting History
Evidence says Hall of Famer Pete Hill was a Culpeper native
SLIDESHOW: The Pete Hill Story
John Preston 'Pete' Hill, who was inducted posthumously to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
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