The Race Track

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A Huntington track for horse racing was located near
 the intersection of 6th Avenue and 6th Street before
 those thoroughfares were extended
 for residential development.

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Postcard courtesy James E. Casto

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Did you know Huntington once had a track for horse racing?

The old track was located near the intersection of 6th Avenue
 and 6th Street before those thoroughfares were extended
 for residential development. The track was located
 behind the Buffington School, which stood on
 the corner of 5th Avenue and 6th Street

According to local historian Patrick Morris, “a group of
 sport-loving Huntington citizens organized the Driving
 Park Association and leased a large tract of land
 from the Huntington Land Company in 1903.
 The organization erected a half-mile race
 track that was the most modern course
in that part of the country
at the time.”

The Driving Park — also known as the Huntington
 Speedway and Huntington Race Track — was
 promoted by the HuntingtonChamber of
 Commerce as a major asset that would
 attract business to Huntington.

The first races took place on the 4th of July in 1903.
 Weekly “speed” matinees were conducted on
 Fridays. The primary purpose of the
 association was to hold regular fall
 races on the last two days of
 September and the first
 two days of October.

According to Morris, the race track operated
 until circa 1909, after which the land
 was developed for housing.

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Note:  This Article and picture appeared in the Herald-Dispatch Newspaper on Oct 1, 2024.

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