Houston Driving Park (1902) Explained

Houston Driving Park
Location:Houston, Texas
Operator:Houston Driving Park Association
Opened:1902
Closed:1910?
Coursetype:Varied

Houston Driving Park also known as Harrisburg Park was a horse racing track located in the Houston, Magnolia Park neighborhood along Harrisburg Boulevard. It was opened in 1902, and closed around 1910. The former track is now a residential area.

Planning and construction

In March 1902, members of the Houston Driving Park Association and the Houston Country Club surveyed an area in Magnolia Park for the grounds of a new race track.[1] With a capacity of 600,[2] grandstands were erected and the park had opened by November 1902.[3]

Houston Lambs tenancy

In June 1904, the Houston Driving Park Association began work to temporarily transform the race park into a ballpark for temporary use by the Houston Lambs (later known as the Houston Buffaloes) of the South Texas League.[4] After being evicted from Herald Park, the ball club eventually played several games at the Houston Driving Park beginning with a game against the Galveston Sandcrabs on July 29, 1904.[5] The club received a new ballpark when West End Park opened the following season.

Notes and References

  1. News: A Race Course. . ‘’Galveston Daily News’’ . March 16, 2014 . 7.
  2. News: The Matinee Races . ‘’Houston Post’’ . November 27, 1902 . 5.
  3. News: Harness Races Today . ‘’Houston Post’’ . November 21, 1902 . 3.
  4. News: New Ball Park . ‘’Galveston Daily News’’ . June 19, 1904 . 4.
  5. News: At New Park . . July 30, 1904 . 5.