|
|
|
|
|
|
From: Jack Cunningham
Date: 18 Dec 1998
Time: 15:52:30
Remote Name: 153.37.142.230
The Sheepshead bay racetrack was organized in 1880. It's boundaris were Ocean Ave to Knapp St(called Shell Rd) and Gravesend Nexk Rd. to Jerome Ave. It was 112 acres and owned by the Coney Island Jockey Club , a group of wealthy men headed by Leonard Jerome, whose daughter Jenny married Sir Randolph Churchill, their som was Winston churchill. In 1911 NY state Gov. Hughes closed tthe track by passing a law against gambling and racing horses. Durng WW I it was an Army training base until 1918 when an auto racing track was designed and ran for a few years until about 1921-2 when the land was divided into lots and sold at several public auctions. When I was 10 yrs old in 1926, there were cement remnents of the grandstand left and triangular cement fixtures at the turns where wooden slanted tracks for the cars prevented their sliding or whatever purpose they were intended . I have severl postcards of the 1906 era of the track. . In the 1930's farmrs planted about 2/3 rds of the land in corn, Italian plum tomatoes, radishes and lettuce. I know I surrepitiously ate some of their produce when a boy. Knapp st was called Shell Rd for a time , 1990-1920 's when the Lundy Bros restaurant dumped their oyster and clam shells in the muddy road. Later called Sutter Bros Rd (circa 1930's. In the 1930-50's tall pampas grass weeds and a great dumping ground was near Knapp St between Allen ave and Neck Rd. Jack Cunningham
