Washington Park Race Track

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See also: Washington Park, Chicago
Washington Park Race Track, c. 1903
Washington Park Race Track, c. 1903

Washington Park Race Track is the name of a former horse racing track that was originally located in the location now occupied by the Washington Park Subdivision of the Woodlawn community area, in Chicago, Illinois and then was relocated in Homewood, Illinois.

[edit] Track

It has always been common to build special facilities for sporting events and public assembly in the Chicago parks.[1] In 1883, a group of about 500 Chicagoans, led by General Philip Sheridan, banded together to create the Washington Park Jockey Club. They opened Washington Park Race Track, the Midwest’s preeminent track,[2] the following year at 61st and Cottage Grove. The track's clubhouse was designed by Solon Spencer Beman. Each June, the track sponsored the American Derby, which was the second highest awarding race in the country. The club operated the $150,000 track. Both Opening Day and the American Derby became important social calendar dates at Washington Park Race Track. 1893’s American Derby was the 2nd richest American race in 19th Century.[2] The social elite maintained close ties to equestrian sports. Some owned thoroughbreds and were members of the Washington Park Jockey Club.[3]

After Hempstead Washburne was elected mayor in 1892, he went on a reform binge, which included closing all tracks in Chicago in 1893, including Washington Race Track (which actually closed in 1894),[2] although the track reopened in 1898. It remained open until 1905, when the state of Illinois banned gambling and stopped all racing.[4][2] The stables used by the track were not torn down and currently form a portion of the DuSable Museum of African-American History.[5]

In 1900, a race was staged at the track between a gasoline powered automobile and an electrically powered automobile. At the time, there were more electric cars in the country than gasoline powered ones. The race in Chicago was the first time a gasoline powered car beat an electric powered one in a race.

Residents of elite late 19th century neighborhoods, utilized the streets for symbolic activities including the annual Washington Park Race Track opening day parade.[6]

In 1926, after oral betting was declared legal in Illinois, a second Washington Park Race Track opened up in south suburban Homewood.[4] Although the American Derby was also reborn at the new track, it has since moved to Arlington Park, in northwest suburban Arlington Heights. The new Washington Park Race Track was located west of Halsted Street just outside of Homewood village bounds. Illinois Central Railroad built a spur line directly between Chicago and the Washington Park Race Track.[7] The relocated track continued to be a famous and popular attraction.[8] Washington Park Race Track's grandstand burned in 1977, putting the track out of business. The property was sold and redeveloped in 1992 for commercial and residential use.[7]

In 1943, Arlington Racetrack shifted its major races to the new Washington Park Race Track as a result of curtailed racing due to WWII. In 1970, Marge Lindheimer Everett, Arlington and Washitnton Park manager, confessed to having bribed Illinois Governor Otto Kerner to gain premium racing dates.[2]

[edit] External Links


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Lupkin, Paula R., Places of Assembly, Eds. Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L., 2004 The Encyclopedia of Chicago, p. 611. The University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-31015-9
  2. ^ a b c d e Reiss, Steven A., Horse Racing, Eds. Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L., 2004 The Encyclopedia of Chicago, pp. 390-1. The University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-31015-9
  3. ^ Reiss, Steven A., Leisure, Eds. Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L., 2004 The Encyclopedia of Chicago, p. 468. The University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-31015-9
  4. ^ a b Steven A. Riess. Horse Racing. ChicagoHistory.org. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  5. ^ Washington Park: From Olmstead to Today. Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  6. ^ Duis, Perry R., Street Life, Eds. Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L., 2004 The Encyclopedia of Chicago, p. 788. The University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-31015-9
  7. ^ a b Long, John H., Homewood, IL., Eds. Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L., 2004 The Encyclopedia of Chicago, p. 389. The University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-31015-9
  8. ^ McClellan, Larry A., East Hazel Crest, IL., Eds. Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L., 2004 The Encyclopedia of Chicago, p. 253. The University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-31015-9


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