Encyclopedia Dubuque
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HORSE RACING: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:horsering.jpg|left|thumb|250px|In the days of transportation by horse, the animals were tied to rings like this set into posts or stone along the sides of streets. Photo courtesy: Max Smith]]HORSE RACING. Exciting sport enjoyed year round in Dubuque. On Christmas Day 1846, a horse race with four-horse sleighs was reported to have occurred across the ice on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] to Galena. In December 1876, a track was laid out on [[LAKE PEOSTA]]. Racing horses was also popular on Locust Street until it was stopped in 1877 by the local marshal. Racing moved to Jackson Boulevard because the street was away from the business district and lightly traveled. This racing site closed with the installation of street tracks. The police prohibition against racing along Locust Street in 1877 led to development of a track along Grandview Avenue from Delhi to the fire station. The one hundred foot wide street could accommodate as many as five horses. | [[Image:horsering.jpg|left|thumb|250px|In the days of transportation by horse, the animals were tied to rings like this set into posts or stone along the sides of streets. Photo courtesy: Max Smith]]HORSE RACING. Exciting sport enjoyed year round in Dubuque. On Christmas Day 1846, a horse race with four-horse sleighs was reported to have occurred across the ice on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] to Galena. In December 1876, a track was laid out on [[LAKE PEOSTA]]. Racing horses was also popular on Locust Street until it was stopped in 1877 by the local marshal. Racing moved to Jackson Boulevard because the street was away from the business district and lightly traveled. This racing site closed with the installation of street tracks. The police prohibition against racing along Locust Street in 1877 led to development of a track along Grandview Avenue from Delhi to the fire station. The one hundred foot wide street could accommodate as many as five horses. | ||
More traditional racing began May 21, 1866, with the opening of the [[DUBUQUE DRIVING PARK]], a thirty-acre site along the Sageville Road. The first race along the half-mile circular track was won in 58 seconds. | More traditional racing began May 21, 1866, with the opening of the [[DUBUQUE DRIVING PARK]], a thirty-acre site along the Sageville Road. The first race along the half-mile circular track was won in 58 seconds. By 1875, however, races prior to the Fourth of July were cancelled due to lack of interest and disputes over what days races might be held. (1) | ||
[[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]] put Dubuque into the national horse racing scene with his ownership of the famous stallion [[NUTWOOD]] and his development of [[NUTWOOD PARK]]. By joining the Western Racing Circuit, Dubuque racing enthusiasts were treated to the site of such horses as “Kingwood,” “Sarah S.,” and “Dan Patch.” | [[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]] put Dubuque into the national horse racing scene with his ownership of the famous stallion [[NUTWOOD]] and his development of [[NUTWOOD PARK]]. By joining the Western Racing Circuit, Dubuque racing enthusiasts were treated to the site of such horses as “Kingwood,” “Sarah S.,” and “Dan Patch.” | ||
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1. "Races Abandoned," ''Dubuque Herald'', June 20, 1875, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18750620&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | |||
Kruse, Len. "Dubuque Once Famous for Horse Racing," '''Julien's Journal''' May, 1985 | Kruse, Len. "Dubuque Once Famous for Horse Racing," '''Julien's Journal''' May, 1985 | ||
[[Category: Events]] | [[Category: Events]] | ||
Revision as of 03:06, 5 November 2015
HORSE RACING. Exciting sport enjoyed year round in Dubuque. On Christmas Day 1846, a horse race with four-horse sleighs was reported to have occurred across the ice on the MISSISSIPPI RIVER to Galena. In December 1876, a track was laid out on LAKE PEOSTA. Racing horses was also popular on Locust Street until it was stopped in 1877 by the local marshal. Racing moved to Jackson Boulevard because the street was away from the business district and lightly traveled. This racing site closed with the installation of street tracks. The police prohibition against racing along Locust Street in 1877 led to development of a track along Grandview Avenue from Delhi to the fire station. The one hundred foot wide street could accommodate as many as five horses.
More traditional racing began May 21, 1866, with the opening of the DUBUQUE DRIVING PARK, a thirty-acre site along the Sageville Road. The first race along the half-mile circular track was won in 58 seconds. By 1875, however, races prior to the Fourth of July were cancelled due to lack of interest and disputes over what days races might be held. (1)
Henry L. STOUT put Dubuque into the national horse racing scene with his ownership of the famous stallion NUTWOOD and his development of NUTWOOD PARK. By joining the Western Racing Circuit, Dubuque racing enthusiasts were treated to the site of such horses as “Kingwood,” “Sarah S.,” and “Dan Patch.”
Nutwood Park was eventually purchased by the Dubuque Electric Company that leased the grounds to the Tri-State Fair Association for annual stock fairs and races. "Dan Patch" returned to Dubuque in 1907 but was unable to beat his own world's record of l:55 over one mile. Nutwood Park witnessed its last major race in 1915 before the buildings were dismantled and the land found new use as an AIRPORT.
Racing came again to Dubuque in July 1938, when events were held as part of a 4-H Achievement Show at SILVER ACRES along Pennsylvania Avenue. A fast quarter-mile track constructed in 1937 and fast horses attracted 10,000 people to the first annual Dubuque Horse Show and Harness Racing Meet. Horse fairs were also held there in 1939 and 1940.
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Source:
1. "Races Abandoned," Dubuque Herald, June 20, 1875, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18750620&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Kruse, Len. "Dubuque Once Famous for Horse Racing," Julien's Journal May, 1985