DUBUQUE DRIVING PARK

DUBUQUE DRIVING PARK. The Dubuque Driving Park was first described in the Dubuque Herald on October 20, 1865. Built by Richmond and McMasters, the Park was located along the eastern side Couler Avenue (then called the Sageville Road) north of the city. (1) Originally it may have been called the Peru Course; it offered a half-mile track for horse racing. (2)

The Park included high wooden fence and a picket fence inside around the track. J. F. Tousley constructed a refreshment stand. (3) There was a three-story judges' stand, along with ticket offices and stables. The Dubuque Herald encouraged city officials to consider upgrading the road to the Park and encouraged citizens to visit the site. Those coming before the track was officially opened were invited to drive their teams onto the track to help pack it. The "Milwaukee" had brought a large group to town to see the races on July 3rd. (4)

The opening of the Park was scheduled for November 1, 2, and 3, 1865. On the first day, a purse of $100, known as the "Livery Purse, will be offered for the best three in five. A $50 purse for mile heats will go to the best two in three. On the second day, the "Citizens' Sweepstakes Purse" of $150 was open to all trotters, best three in five mile heats. A second purse, "Hot-1 Purse," was to go to the best two in three mile heats for double teams. The third day offered the $100 Proprietors' Purse to all trotters except winners of sweepstakes best three in five. A second purse of $50 was open to all, best two in three. (5)

Unfortunately, bad weather prevented the opening of the park until spring. (6)

The second day of the 1866 season was held on May 25, 1866. An important addition to the Park was an 18 or 20 foot high covered amphitheatre capable of seating four hundred people. (7) The events began with a harness race between Chattanooga and Lady Eagle for purse of $100. This was followed by a foot race of 600 yards with the first man reaching the end of the race receiving $10 and the second $5. For this entertainment the admission price was reduced to 25 cents. When races were held including horses from outside Dubuque, the admission was 50 cents while all other tracks in the country were charging $1.00. (8)

In 1867 The Herald announced in July that the Park was attracting excursions. The steamboat "Davenport" was bringing racing enthusiasts from Davenport. The "Henderson" had a party from Savanna, Sabula, and Bellevue. The "Bannock City" was transporting visitors from DeWitt and Clinton. (9)

A Grand Trotting Fair was held from October 29-November 1, 1867. No gambling or disorderly behavior was allowed on the grounds, but pools were sold on the track results every day by Mr. S. Cox at his billiard rooms every evening before. Arrangements were made the with railroad and steamboat companies to carry passengers and stock to the trotting fair in October at reduced rates. (10)

In 1880 the following article appeared in the Dubuque Herald:

                Secretary Hetherington informed a Herald reporter
                yesterday that driving tickets were ready for 
                those who are entitled to them, and can be had by
                calling for them. Others can procure them for a
                certain sum of money. These tickets entitle the
                holder to use the race track upon which to drive
                for pleasure or profit, or both. (11)

In June 1890 no less than twenty local businesses announced that they would close for business to attend the grand opening. (12)

Stockholders of the Dubuque Driving Park met on February 10, 1892. Reports of the meeting indicated that none of the new directors wanted any responsibility for lengthening the track to one mile but would support the decision if it were made. A communication from the new board of directors was read to the stockholders in which it was suggested that the Park be sold. Reasons for this decision included the fact that the Park was heavily in debt and that adjoining ground was not available at a fair price to make the track longer and the Park larger. (13) At a special meeting of the stockholders on February 16th, however, an overwhelming majority were in favor of retaining the present track until a mile track could be built. (14)

See: NUTWOOD PARK

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Source:

Special appreciation to John Pregler

1. "Dubuque Driving Park, Dubuque Herald, October 20, 1865, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18651020&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. Kruse, Len. "Busy Nutwood Park, Melody Mill Now Just Memories," Telegraph Herald, March 17, 1998, p. 12

3. "Dubuque Driving Park," The Herald, May 16, 1866, p. 4

4. "Dubuque Driving Park...(1865) "

5. Ibid.

6. "The Dubuque Driving Park Closed Until Spring," Dubuque Herald, November 1, 1865, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18651101&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

7. "The Races," The Herald, July 31, 1866, p. 4

8. "The Races To-Day (sic)" The Herald, May 26, 1866, p. 4

9. "Excursions from Down River," The Herald, July 4, 1867, p. 4

10. "Grand Trotting Fair," The Herald, October 20, 1867, p. 4

11. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, April 16, 1880, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18800416&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

12. "Will Close for the Races," Dubuque Daily Herald, June 10, 1890, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18900610&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

13. "In Favor of Its Sale," The Herald, February 11, 1892, p. 4

14. "One Bird in the Hand," The Herald, February 16, 1892, p. 4

See: HORSE RACING