The Empire Base Ball Club was organized around 1860, and was one of the first clubs in the city. Tobias attributes the origin of the club to Joseph Hallenbeck, a deputy under Constable Dan Manning. Hallenbeck was a member of the Knockerbocker Club in New York prior to coming to St. Louis. Tobias says he was assisted by L.P. Fuller in forming the club. The Empire used the Gamble Lawn, a large acant property just south of Gamble avenue and West Twentieth street, which contained a spring of cold water at the eastern end. The grounds were used for cricket matches prior to the onset of base ball clubs in the city.
From its inception, the club comprised a large number of players who were employed by the city fire department, and all of its members were employed in "mechanical or other manual labor pursuits."