Exhibit 4-5_55A_HPSR - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

in 1890 an event occurred which was to profoundly affect Bristol Street for the next decade. Horse racing was a popular entertainm-ent in the area from early Spanish times. In 1890 a group of horsemen pool- ed their resource; and constructed a mile long race track immediately east of Bristol between Edinger Avenue and McFadden Avenue. At the time, McFadden Avenue was knn as Fairview Avenue. The track was built on 7D acres of land purchased and donated by R. J. Blee. The track quickly became established as a major racing facility. In a short period of time, it boasted a grandstand capable of seating 1,500 people and about 150 horse stables. There was Also a water system which Piped water throughout the stable area (Riggs 1931). The Orange County Fair Association was organized in 1891, with J. F. Pleasants as President. The first fair was held in September of that year. The agricultural exhibits were in the Opera House in downtown Santa Ana, while the stock sbow and races were held at the track (Pleasants 1931). One of thq prime attra tits dtriV�q this period was a horse named Silkwood, owned by J. Willits. This particular horse was very fast and several mate races were held at the track between him and other fast horses, one from as far away as Kansas. These races always drew enormous crowds. One reporter quipped about one race that the attendance exceeded the total population of Orange County. Other events held at the track included bicycle races, foot races and, in a few instances, man versus horse races. The latter races were prompted by the presence of one Tom Morris, a local resident who was billed as the world's fastest human. In these races a typical format would be for the man to run one hundred yards while the horse ran twG hundred yards. The popularity of the track declined rapidly and the property was sold in 1897 (Riggs 1931:112). The suddeness of the decline is attributable to several causes. Silkwood was no longer racing and no champion of equal quality had emerged to take his place. In 1897 the state aid given to local fairs was halted, with the expected negative influence (Riggs 1931: 99). However, Ashby (et al 1931) states that the major reason for the de- clige gas the autlayting of betting at the track, also In 1897. When the track buildings were razed is unknown, but the tactility ap- pears on insurance maps prepared by Sanborn in 1906. These same maps indicate that the Only construction then existing along Bristol Street, 16