When considering the sporting activities that were part of Holyoke's history, harness racing with horses pulling a chariot, otherwise known as a sulky, is usually not a topic of conversation. However, there was a thirty-year period when the trotters were part of Holyoke's lore. This is part one of a series that recounts the history of harness racing at the first of the two known venues, the Holyoke Driving Park.
The Holyoke Driving Park was known by several names, including the South Holyoke Driving Park, South End Park, and the South Holyoke Trotting Park. This was a one-half-mile oval race track that featured harness racing. To put this in perspective, the track was twice as long as a standard running track that surrounds many football fields today or is used in Olympic track and field competitions.
Although an exact date for the park's opening could not be determined, news articles began to appear in 1874, and the first trot may have occurred in November 1875. The park plan was initiated by J. N. Prew and W. H. Norris, who leased the land from the Holyoke Water Power Co.
Mr. Prew owned many acres of land that would become the present-day Springdale Park. He was also a clothier and builder. W. H. Norris owned the Norris House Hotel, one of Holyoke's smallest hotels, located at the northeast corner of Main and Mosher Streets. The Nugent Hotel and Hotel Monat subsequently operated at this location.
Although the park was primarily constructed for horse racing, various other athletic and social events took place during its twenty-year existence.
Baseball was played at both the high school and semi-pro levels. Factories, trade associations, and social athletic clubs would also compete in baseball. The freshmen collegiates from Amherst College would visit and play the Holyoke High School baseball team.
Foot races were held on the track, as well as a 15-mile marathon. Prize money would be awarded to the top finishers. Soccer, football, cricket, and Gaelic football events were held seasonally, and in the winter, skating and hockey surfaces were available.
Bicycle racing of various distances was another regularly held event that drew contestants eager to participate and earn prize money.
Social events included parades leading to the park, where large crowds gathered for field days. Athletics was the centerpiece of celebration. In addition to foot races and horse racing, field events such as the broad jump, high jump, standing jump, and hammer throw would draw competitors and entertain the attendees.
For the July 4th celebration in 1884, a parade, a band concert, and a fireworks display were held, in addition to the harness racing schedule.
In 1886, Messrs. Prew and Norris sub-leased the park to the Holyoke Driving Association.
During early June 1887, Professor F. E. Gleason provided demonstrations, including riding lessons, sulky driving, and horse management in different situations.
In September 1887, the Hampden Agricultural Society held a fair which included a cattle show and drum competition. The newspaper reported that as many as 5,000 attended the event.
By 1894, the driving park was in a state of decline and deterioration. As the Holyoke Driving Association was operating under a sublease, there was little motivation to maintain or improve the facility. Additionally, the sewer commissioner ordered the removal of the baseball grandstand, as the sewer trunk line would pass beneath it. Holyoke Water Power Company's plan was to subdivide the land to accommodate manufacturing interests.
However, in a two-part installment to follow the Springdale Driving Park, most of the land would remain in use for recreational purposes for much of the first half of the 20th century.
The end of one business gave rise to a newer and grander plan. William H. Norris and John J. Prew owned 20 acres of land to the south of the old driving park. The land was surveyed by Engineer Sickman and found to have more than sufficient space for a one-half-mile track, a grandstand, and sufficient stables.
The story of driving parks continues with the Springdale Driving Park in Part 2 of Horse Racing Venues.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Morning Union; publication dates and pages are shown.
