Grettenberger Field was constructed in 1935-1936, in the midst of the Great Depression, under the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) jobs creation program. It originally included a grandstand, ice skating rink, and football field. Baseball games and school track meets were held at the field in later years. In 1947 the field was dedicated to Imlay City school superintendent Reuben Arthur Grettenberger to honor his many years of public service.