Washington Park !
Washington Park was
one of the first Chicago tracks founded in 1884. For a few years it was
quite fashionable to be part of the Washington Park Jockey Club and it
was the rage of Chicago. Gambling reform hit Chicago in 1893 and the
track was closed in 1894. It was able to re-open in 1898 and ran till
1905 which at that time the state of Illinois banned gambling.
When gambling finally returned in 1926 a new Washington Park was built in the general vicinity of the first track. From that time the track went from Thoroughbreds to pacers tried thoroughbreds for the last time in 1970 and went back to harness racing. In 1977 the track burned to the ground and was never rebuilt. the track born of runners was probably most remembered in later years as a harness venue. At present there is no indication that a racetrack existed at either location.