Houston Driving Park (1902)

Houston Driving Park
LocationHouston, Texas
Operated byHouston Driving Park Association
Date opened1902
Date closed1910?
Course typeVaried

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

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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

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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.

References

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  1. ^ "A Race Course". ‘’Galveston Daily News’’. March 16, 2014. p. 7.
  2. ^ "The Matinee Races". ‘’Houston Post’’. November 27, 1902. p. 5.
  3. ^ "Harness Races Today". ‘’Houston Post’’. November 21, 1902. p. 3.
  4. ^ "New Ball Park". ‘’Galveston Daily News’’. June 19, 1904. p. 4.
  5. ^ "At New Park". Houston Post. July 30, 1904. p. 5.
Preceded by Home of the
Houston Buffaloes

1904
Succeeded by

29°44′07″N 95°18′01″W / 29.7352°N 95.3002°W / 29.7352; -95.3002