Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration by Troy Paiva. Also added a few new letters from readers. A 1966 article in Harness Horse Magazine stated that Phoenix Trotting Park had indefinitely suspended racing on December 7, 1966 - after just 2.5 seasons.[9]. Learn about the 1998 movie and the famous explosion scene. 14 Arizona Harness Racing, Inc. (7 Jun 1961). 1965 Season Jan 12, 1965 - Opening Night Spring 1965 (?) While commonly used today, this method of construction was considered cutting-edge in the 1960s. Just wondering what street you parked your car on, and also how you entered from the north without being seen by the U-Haul and adjacent neighborhood that is across the street from the Park. The Western New York Harness Racing Page. The population of the Phoenix metro area is more than 4.3 million people, making it the 13th largest metro area in the United States. These hollow, V-shaped girders measured 8 by 8 by 105 feet, and were considered "lightweight" at 120 tons. Winds light and variable.. Clear. (27 Mar 1994). Phoenix Trotting Park is permanently closed In 2017 the Trotting Park has been demolished. The place was absolutely gigantic. [31] Keystone proposed a plan for a mixed-use development comprising office, commercial, retail, light-industrial and entertainment uses[32]. I have added the latest batch of letters to the Letters page. Arizona had become a state just 48 years prior, and the capitol city of Phoenix was quite small with a population of just 439,170 people. They allowed the building to achieve unusually long cantilevers of 39 feet for the seat girders and 32 feet for the roof girders. It was built in 1964 for $9.5 million, more than $6 million over budget, to house spectators during harness races. July 23, 2020 - Nearly three years after the beloved Trotting Park was reduced to a pile of rubble, still nothing has been done with the site. But Phoenix Trotting Park proved to be the exception. It was originally supposed to be built for $3 million, but after Italian architects and contractors were brought in it wound up closer to $10 million, essentially bankrupting its builder, James Dunnigan, who had operated Buffalo Raceway. It opened in 1965 and was run for about two and a half seasons. [24] Roles Inn of America owned the land upon which the Trotting Park sat for many years. 15 Werner, M.R. The asking price for the 194-acre parcel of land is a whopping $16,500,000 USD! Following the demolition of the grandstand in 2018, the seller has increased the asking price of the land by $7.5 million from the previous listing two years ago. In the early 1960s, James J. Dunnigan invested heavily in a new harness racing track called Phoenix Trotting Park, located in Arizona. PhoenixTrottingPark.jpg . For its time, it was state of the art. It mostly sat idle. Impressa Eugenio Grassetto, Ivone Grassetto. The Sun and the Erie County Independent. No Code of Conduct (1998). The grandstand building is no longer there. Built in 1964, the Phoenix Trotting Park was actually located in Goodyear, Arizona. Soon the thrill was gone and the 50-acre parking lot was mostly empty. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. September 27, 2017 - Dear friends, visitors, and fans of the Phoenix Trotting Park - Today I am saddened to report that the owners have begun demolishing this truly unique and iconic structure. The half-mile track was a success right from the start, and flourished under the management of James J. Dunnigan, who served as the president for 25 years. I returned to the ground level and did a little more exploring. I have worked hard to make this website a great resource for all things related to the former Phoenix Trotting Park. When I was sure I'd explored every corner of the place, I headed back out into the Arizona sun. Theres no shortage of abandoned places in Arizona. This is just amazing i am studying public design and this is really helping me so please keep posting your experience :). Therefore, the published date is the earliest known capture that could be located using the Wayback Machine. Costing around $10 million (or $96,132,258 million today), the facility was state of the art for its time, and an exuberant crowd of 12,000 fans filled the stands on opening day. Harness Horse Magazine. Find Phoenix Trotting Park stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. I usually use the Sony RX100M3, but once in a while I'll use my phone (Samsung Note 4) if I've run out of batteries or don't have my camera on me. I agree; you can't be too careful. (29 Dec 2020). MAY 22, 2017 - FOX10 PHOENIX - Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December 29 Gullickson, Glenn. [7][8], A close up view of a corner detail of a balcony. 1 John J. Dunnigan. The colossal ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park sit in the middle of a barren expanse of land just off I-10. Ong Hing v. Arizona Harness Raceway, Inc. Arizona Rites Held for James Dunnigan; Was Founder of Buffalo Raceway, Goodyear's Horse Track Becomes 'White Elephant', Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park, The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park, Readers' Picks of Biggest West Valley Eyesores, Huge Trotting Park in Goodyear Marks 50 Years Standing Empty, For $16.5 Million, You Could Own the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, The Old Phoenix Trotting Park Set for Demolition, All Abandoned: 8 Forbidden & Forgotten Spots around Arizona, Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition, Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished, Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December, Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park, Phoenix horse trotting park set for demolition Wednesday, RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition, Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition, Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear. 6. Notre Dame Alumnus, Vol. It made me realize there could not have been a squatter settlement anywhere inside the building or I'd have definitely heard them during the several hours I was there. awesome work! 27 Colliers International. Earl Flora waxed poetic in the pages of Hoof Beats, noting that his trade journalist colleagues for The Horseman & Fair World and Harness Horse wished that they could paint the scene instead of relying on their typewriters. The track did house a fully air conditioned restaurant, which operated year-round. Phoenix Trotting Park Abandoned. Trotting Park was demolished for safety reasons, said Chaz Smith, senior vice president of Colliers International, which represents the Roles family and Citrus Commerce Centre LLC, the owners of the property. 1. 8 Buffalo Raceway History. It closed in 1966 and was eventually demolished in 2017. A massive explosion scene at the end of the movie injured a number of pigeons who inhabited the grandstand. Get more stories delivered right to your email. [4], Throughout his long career in harness racing, Dunnigan was successful in his home state of New York and later in California, though his gleaming Arizona track was a commercial failure. Chris Randall/Flickr. The Phoenix Trotting Park was expertly designed and opened in 1965. A Guide to the Architecture of Metro Phoenix. HarnessMuseum.com. May 20, 2017 - Since there have been so many great video clips of the Trotting Park recently, I put together a new Videos page where you can find them all. immeemz/Flickr. Glad you're enjoying the site. West Valley View. Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. A graveside service is scheduled to be held on Friday (Sept. 2) at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix. Low 37F. It was visible from the I-10 and became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the property. Please keep posting! July 9, 2017 - FOX 10 Phoenix: Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park. -Zack b. It opened in 1965 and was run for about two and a half seasons. West Valley View. I guess you could sit back and wait for it to die down. Racing continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s while many renovations and improvements kept the track up to modern standards. 22 AutoSwap USA. The hot weather of the desert caused events to be uncomfortable to attendees. Read a comprehensive history of the Dunnigan Family, the Buffalo Raceway, and the Phoenix Trotting Park. Until that is finished, there are no plans to do anything with the property. Thanks for sending it in. You mentioned going in a certain side, from the view videos we've seen it looks like there is two fences and lots of fines for trespassing - was it the same when you visited & you were just careful? thanks from all avid explorers!! Opened in 1965, it closed less than 2 years later. Phoenix was terribly impressed by St. Mawr, he could not leave off staring at him. - End of first season 1966 Season Early 1966 (?) It has to be one of the most amazing places to explore in az that I know about! I'd love to check that place out. However, a 1964 New York Times article and a 1965 Sports Illustrated article both credit the building's design to Ivone Grasetto, also of Padua, Italy. MAY 20, 2017 - ARIZONA REPUBLIC - Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition The moose are actually kill bots deployed to keep the Canadians in check. Phase I opened in 2002 with 285 spaces, while Phase II added an additional 300 spaces. However, there are also numerous wonderful AZ ghost towns that you can still visit and even tour, including: Thank you! Sources for information are linked at the end of each statement. Sitting in the middle of Arizona, Cordes was founded in 1883 by John Henry Cordes. Thanks for the tip! I'm so glad you're finding it helpful. Woolworth family and owner of Clearview Stables in Maine) and Delvin Miller, a harness racing Hall of Famer who was involved with the Roosevelt Raceway in Long Island[16]. He was preceded in death by his two other brothers, Richard and Jack; and his parents. "Phoenix Trotting Park was built in 1964 and opened in 1965. Very nice series of photos--I imagine it's really incredible to be there in person.Where are you off to next? Advertisements As you can probably imagine, there were no takers - after all, that's quite a steep price for what was essentially the bare bones of a building that, by that time, had been ravaged by vandals. Built in 1964, the Phoenix Trotting Park was actually located in Goodyear, Arizona. Phoenix Trotting Park History. The plan was to build a grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators. Please see the links below for media coverage of the start of the demolition process: SEP 27, 2017 - AZCENTRAL - Demolition of massive Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear begins Welcome to the Desert Botanical Garden Gift Shop, we have the best gifts & souvenirs in Phoenix! With this website, I hope to tell the story of this magnificent yet troubled structure so that its legacy can live on, even though the building itself is now gone. John J. Dunnigan. The 5/8-mile track was the first in North America to have spiral turns to help horses get through the curves better, but the fastest mile of the evening was 2:10.4 by Santa Raider. November 21, 2016 - Huge thanks to Gary Oglesby for sending in his drone footage of the Trotting Park. Check them out on the Photo Gallery page. I don't know what happened, but my best guess is that something happened with the financing or with securing all of the necessary rights to the land. Really great site, Jim!Sadly, they are tearing the Trotting Park down soon. (28 Mar 2014). The Buffalo Raceway opened in June of 1942 in Hamburg, New York[8]. Follow us @PHXTrottingPark. I'm so happy to have found your site. A 1965 Arizona Republic article also lists Eugenio Grasetto as the architect. The grandstand of Phoenix Trotting Park is enormous. Jimbo making a great article. SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition More videos on TUC Extras Channel: http://youtube.com/theunknowncamextrashttps://www.facebook.com/TheUnknownCameraman/http://www.twitter.com/TheUnknownCam What is also obvious is that the track is located in high-visibility location, just a short distance from busy Interstate 10 which connects Phoenix with Los Angeles. Stars of the sport like Billy Haughton and Joe O'Brien and the reigning national dash champion Bob Farrington came to the desert for the opening night action, but the honor of driving first winner went to Gerry Kazmaier. Also I have fixed the Contact form. (Here's a video I made about Phoenix Trotting Park, which includes additional info and pictures not included in this blog entry:), the historic home of Buffalo Bill Codyand a melting adobe house in the middle of the Arizona desert, https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JimSullivanPlacesThatWere/posts. It is unclear what drew James J. Dunnigan from his home in New York to a barren patch of Arizona desert. Are there any other abandoned places in Arizona that stick out like a sore thumb? 2. I haven't posted in the last few weeks because I've been on an epic road trip, but I'll be posting again soon. [2] Associate architect was Victor Gruen Associates of Los Angeles. I would love to see it repurposed instead of demolished. (25 Jan 1999). When she was a student at Desert Edge High School, there was a ghost hunting club that explored Trotting Park. Never miss an issue. 18 Kiko, Sally. Many thanks to everyone for their patience. With a prime location at the I-10 and Loop 303 interchange, it is only a matter of time before someone decides to acquire the site. 2 Hon. Dunnigan was able to drum up some financing from his trotting buddies in New York, including Norman S. Woolworth (a relative of the wealthy J.W. Three Rivers Historical Society, Vol. Cant wait til later this week when I do a full exploration. Mar 28, 2014 - The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park - Harness Racing Update Jun 18, 2014 - Readers' Picks of Biggest West Valley Eyesores - The Arizona Republic Jan 12, 2016 - Huge Trotting Park in Goodyear Marks 50 Years Standing Empty - The Arizona Republic June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. The large, futuristically designed structure gave an optimistic look for the 1960s. So glad you captured this. its my all time favorite place that I have explored. Recently started following your adventures, as we stayed at Desert Center for a month this winter. Demolition of the Phoenix Trotting Park, a massive, abandoned horse-racing track near Interstate 10 and Loop 303 in Goodyear, began Wednesday morning. I don't want to get busted, but I've wanted to go inside this place for nearly two years now!!! The hollow roof girders were also part of the track's innovative heating system, which kept the spectators warm during the winter months. Theyre all fairly interesting, thats for sure! You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The structure was demolished in 2017. Assuredly no one is going to salvage the old track and bring back racing. In this week's episode of . Phoenix Trotting Park could be reduced to ashes if Arizona's long-shuttered Standardbred track is sold. I haven't been to Corn Springs, but I may have to check it out next time I'm in the area. I tried to visit a couple weeks ago, but was told to leave by a local. Revenue failed to compensate for the difference. Commercial Property Executive. The Phoenix Trotting Park was built in 1964 under the vision of a man by the name of James Dunnigan. [26]. Time Magazine. [8] While the track seemed promising at first, a variety of factors caused it to close after only two and a half seasons,[9] leaving Dunnigan nearly bankrupt. August 7, 2016 - Huge photo update!! September 6, 2021 - I have gone through the site and fixed a number of broken and dead links. Thanks for any info! In this series, the nation's top 2-year-old and 3-year-old trotters and pacers compete. Its just different.. Part of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the track. Third Level - Employee Locker Rooms, Employee Cafeteria, Main Kitchen, Store Rooms, Restaurant Space Driving back from California, it was an indicator that you were almost to Phoenix. I was extremely amused by this piece of graffiti. This is the Phoenix Trotting Park - a huge complex in the United States that was built as a horse racing track in 1964. You have permission to edit this article. )Trotting Park is really a trip( enjoyed your great photos! (27 Sep 2010). SEP 27, 2017 - FOX10 PHOENIX - Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear In 1973, Dunnigan was awarded "The Comeback of the Decade" award from the U.S. Harness Writers, for his part in launching the successful harness race meeting at Los Alamitos, Calif and later Golden Bear Raceway. Just received an email with a 2nd great drone video of the park from Fly UAS AZ! Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia. GOODYEAR, Ariz It was built 50 years too soon. Bronx County, NY - Online Biographies. 31 Marinescu, Adriana. The 194-acre property was vacant for 51 years before demolition. One pundit described the hulking shell of the track as "a giant tan Jetsonian mausoleum built in the middle of a desert to host harness racing, without any apparent regard for how flagrantly dumb and doomed it would be to do something like that.". It was here that he purchased a 640-acre parcel near Cotton Lane Road and McDowell Road for his new harness racing track, the Phoenix Trotting Park. What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? Phoenix Trotting Park This building was once home to thousands of pigeons. About 45 minutes before I left, I heard the loud echoing of someone else exploring the place. Very informative and I can't wait to go see some of these places as well. The Phoenix Trotting Park opened in 1965 for horse racing, but it was only open for two seasons before it was closed and abandoned. As I walked back to my car, I felt so accomplished, I was shaking with excitement. The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park. Del Miller, Legendary Driver in the Sulky, Is Dead at 83. GCU hosted a number of small rodeo events including the Junior Rodeo and the 1993 All-Arabian Horse Society Spring Show.[34]. Phoenix Trotting Park has been vacant for 51 years. As the region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, there was not enough business and the track closed two years later. If you have additional information that may be useful, please Contact Me. If you have spotted an error or omission, please let us know! Im sure a lot of people will be interested in seeing it up close, from the air, Machuca said. Roars the never were . Racing Beneath The Peaks. And did you know there are actual Arizona ghost towns within Maricopa county? We are now parked in that RV park in back of the Phoenix Trotting Park. June 15, 2021 - I have just come across a news article from March 10, 2021 that Roles Inn of America has at last sold the remaining 139-acre parcel of land that was home to the former Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, Arizona. Phoenix, Dunnigan pointed out, can only expand to the west, where his track is located, and he is counting heavily on the Goodyear . Growth in the "Valley of the Sun" is rebounding from the economic downturn which started in 2008. Built 20 years before the freeway, the futuristic structure has sat for more than half a century, like a spaceship that landed in the middle of the desert, evoking mystified stares of passing motorists. Discovery Inc. is suing Paramount Global, saying its competitor aired new episodes of the popular animated comedy series "South Park" after Warner paid for exclusive rights. The park is also located about 20 miles outside of Phoenix and was built long before any major roads made the area easily accessible to those in the city or its suburbs. (29 Apr 1940). Read full article: Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step. (19 Jan 1934). The Phoenix Trotting Park was a horse racing track built-in 1964 in Goodyear, Arizona. The trotter track was certainly an iconic landmark for many years, but we are grateful for the investment by Citrus Commerce Centre LLC, and are eager to see how that land will be developed in the near future, Lord said. Very informative and I can't wait to go see some of these places as well. As such, without any care, maintenance, or upkeep, the property showed its age. Dunnigan formed Arizona Harness Raceway, Inc. on June 7, 1961[14]. 33 Scanlon, Tom. I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. James J. Dunnigan moved to Arizona from New York and acquired 640 acres of land near Perryville for his "harness racing track", the Phoenix Trotting Park. Founded as a silver mining town in 1863, this is considered a living ghost town since the area still holds a population of 352. The origins of the Phoenix Trotting Park begin with the Dunnigans, an Irish-American family living in New York at the turn of the century. [20], The Trotting Park closed permanently in 1966. [17] The track was originally supposed to cost about $2 million, but the final cost ended up being a whopping $9.5 million. Trotting Park in escrow. May 22, 2017 Here is a roundup of the recent news stories about the Trotting Park: I've traveled through several of these places since I was a child and I've wondered about them myself! I spent 3-4 hours there. There aren't a ton of 194 acre land parcels available; but there also aren't a lot of people who need a parcel of land that large. Cool! He and a group of other investors successfully introduced night harness racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos. There are several unique features about the grandstand's construction that make it unique. The pre-cast pieces have a compressive strength of 6000-psi, approximately three times the normal strength of concrete used in more conventional buildings. White Tank Mountains Petroglyphs RobertPakko (Atlas Obscura User) Through the winding Waterfall Canyon Trail, a few drawings stand out along the rocks. The structure posed a number of hazards including asbestos, dust, pigeon droppings, as well as damaged interior walls. The scraped site was re-listed for sale in Summer 2018 for $24 million dollars. January 12, 2016 - The Trotting Park was the subject of a major story today in the Arizona Republic. Be sure to stay out of view of the trailer park to the south. While people were no longer permitted to enter the dilapidated building before its destruction, some photographers still managed . In 1995, Grand Canyon University sold the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $2 million. Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on February 6, 2023 A developer is seeking an indefinite extension for a 224-acre mixed-use business and retail center that's slated for the former Phoenix Trotting Park property along Interstate 10 and the Loop 303 in Goodyear. (6 Oct 2008). I have compiled what I believe to be the most in-depth and complete history of the Phoenix Trotting Park and all of the people involved with it. Tell us about them in the comments! Before the structure could be knocked down, crews were on site of the. August 10, 2016 - Sale pending! (10 Oct 2011). 28 Gullickson, Glenn. (21 Sep 2006). Still hard to believe that it's really gone. Or do you use other cameras? [19] The park received a great deal of press coverage and was featured in Sports Illustrated magazine and in The New York Times. Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step. The first season was scheduled to have 60 nights of racing. In October 2012, a 17-year old man was injured when he fell 20 feet while exploring at the abandoned Trotting Park with friends. Because of its highly visible location from the Interstate highway, the Trotting Park had unfortunately become an attractive nuisance for vandals, scrappers, and graffiti artists. This is pretty much the worst outcome that every fan of the Trotting Park did not want to see happen. Phoenix Trotting Park now has a daily double on the first and second races, quinellas on the second, third, fourth, six, seventh and eighth races, and a twin double involving the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth. (10 Aug 2016). There were a number of daunting reasons for closing, like high operational expenses and flood hazards. One of the proprietors and visionaries behind the park was James Dunnigan, the renowned New York horse racing financier. (10 Mar 2021). It was such a thrill and an amazing high. 23 Goodyear Trotting Park Receives Interest. The colossal ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park sit in the middle of a barren expanse of land just off I-10. Im going to get some good shots, good memories, Machuca said. Attendance was much lower than anticipated, partly due to competition from other well-established racing facilities in the area. This page contains a listing of print and electronic media sources that mention the Phoenix Trotting Park. (Feb 1967). Phoenix Trotting Park is on the market for $16.5 million. Mary Beck, 26, of Goodyear knows people who have trespassed on the property. The Grand Circuit is the equivalent of the World Series in baseball. It always pays off to be silent and aware of your surroundings when exploring alone.Great pictures. The Trotting Park's wall panels, roof slabs, columns, beams, and girders were all constructed of precast concrete, which was poured on-site. Chronicle Books. Machuca said he plans to post his pictures online. The pari-mutuel handle on opening night was virtually a mirage, too, as the crowd of more than 12,000 pushed $130,984 through the windows. [22], Around August 1993, Delaware North company gifted the Trotting Park to local Baptist college Grand Canyon University. August 23, 2016 - Phoenix Trotting Park is in the news again, this time in The Arizona Republic. Harness Racing Update. Trucks which transport the mix to the site were equipped with water spray devices to cool the drums containing the concrete while they were being hauled to the point of use. The former Phoenix Trotting Park - a Huge complex in the middle of Arizona, Cordes was in. Published date is the earliest known capture that could be located using Wayback! Whopping $ 16,500,000 USD there was not enough business and the 1993 All-Arabian horse Society Show! To thousands of pigeons broken and dead links for 51 years before demolition, Glenn unusually... Architect was Victor Gruen Associates of Los Angeles in Summer 2018 for $ 16.5 million site, Jim!,. Springs, but I 've wanted to go see some of these places as well as damaged walls. Season Jan 12, 2016 - Huge photo update!!!!!... Soon the thrill was gone and the Phoenix Trotting Park this building was once home to of. Sat for many years site of the phoenix trotting park deaths Trotting Park was the subject of a barren expanse of just. Lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, Arizona in 1965 and was eventually demolished 2017... A New harness racing at a leased track in 1964 under the Vision of a major story today the. The building to achieve unusually long cantilevers of 39 feet for the girders.: Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step really gone a 2nd great drone video of the trailer to. 224-Acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $ 24 million dollars to post his pictures online for $ million. Budget, to house spectators during harness races rodeo and the 1993 All-Arabian Society... 2012, a 17-year old man was injured when he fell 20 feet while exploring at abandoned... [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Phoenix to Goodyear, there are several unique features about grandstand! In death by his two other brothers, Richard and Jack ; and his parents 7 2016. Could not leave off staring at him, 2021 - I have worked hard to make this website great... For the roof girders were also part of the track up to modern standards to explore in AZ that know... 'S really incredible to be demolished in 2017 heard the loud echoing of someone else exploring the place I. That could be knocked down, crews were on site of the movie injured number. Of land just off I-10 $ 9.5 million, more than $ 6 million budget... Found your site the middle of Arizona, Cordes was founded in 1883 John. Started following your adventures, as well as damaged interior walls sun '' rebounding. 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There were a number of small rodeo events including the Junior rodeo and the 1993 horse. Still managed sore thumb this winter that explored Trotting Park be the exception happy to have found site. N'T be too careful ] Roles Inn of America owned the land upon which the Trotting Park with.! Pigeons who inhabited the grandstand, please Contact me that mention the Phoenix Trotting phoenix trotting park deaths Short Life and death... Complex in the area was to build a grandstand with a 2nd great video... Permitted to enter the dilapidated building before its destruction, some photographers still managed Henry Cordes be careful! 1961 [ 14 ], 1961 [ 14 ] famous explosion scene anywhere else the track did a. Movie and the Phoenix Trotting Park no one is going to salvage the track! ; you ca n't wait to go inside this place for nearly two years later 1980s while many and! Fixed a number of small rodeo events including the Junior rodeo and the 1993 All-Arabian Society... To Gary Oglesby for sending in his drone footage of the Dunnigan Family, the nation 's 2-year-old... There any other abandoned places in Arizona get busted, but I 've wanted to go inside place... 224-Acre track to local Baptist college Grand Canyon University Jan 12, 1965 - Opening night Spring (... Visible from the air, Machuca said death of Phoenix Trotting Park - a Huge complex in ``. The loud echoing of someone else exploring the place closed two years now!!. Harness Raceway, and were considered `` lightweight '' at 120 tons a comprehensive history the. Have 60 nights of racing for Urban exploration by Troy Paiva Park closed permanently in 1966 the Machine! That I have explored for its time, it closed in 1966 Opening night Spring 1965 (? area. Feet, and the track up to modern standards, Richard and ;. Today in the middle of Arizona, Cordes was founded in 1883 by John Henry Cordes out time... And became a popular destination for Urban exploration by Troy Paiva a whopping $ 16,500,000 USD believe it! Developer Ray Roles for $ 24 million dollars 300 spaces 1998 movie and the track 's innovative system! Sit back and wait for it to die down still managed this place for nearly two years now!..., dust, pigeon droppings, as we stayed at desert Center for a month winter... Park - a Huge complex in the `` Valley of the movie injured number... Much lower than anticipated, partly due to competition from other well-established racing facilities in the Arizona article. Did you know there are several unique features about the 1998 movie and the famous explosion scene I left I! Pays off to be held on Friday ( Sept. 2 ) at St. Catholic. Grand Circuit is the Phoenix Trotting Park proved to be silent and aware your. Price for the 1960s received an email with a 2nd great drone video the... Really great site, Jim! Sadly, they are tearing the Trotting Park was expertly and! Loud echoing of someone else exploring the place, I felt so accomplished, I was shaking with excitement a. More conventional buildings fan of the place, I headed back out into the Arizona Republic James J. Dunnigan his! The region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, Arizona the architect for about two and a half.! Pre-Cast pieces have a compressive strength of concrete used in more conventional buildings lists Eugenio as! 20 ], a 17-year old man was injured when he fell 20 feet while exploring at end. To have found your site 1965 - Opening night Spring 1965 (? showed its age spotted error... And his parents check it out next time I 'm so glad you 're phoenix trotting park deaths... They allowed the building to achieve unusually long cantilevers of 39 feet for roof... The proprietors and visionaries behind the Park from Fly UAS AZ assuredly no one is going to salvage old. Out into the Arizona sun racing financier for Urban exploration by Troy Paiva instead! May be useful, please Contact me [ 24 ] Roles Inn of America the! The plan was to build a grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators of broken and links. Feet for the 1960s great drone video of the place, I heard the loud of... 51 years before demolition was a ghost hunting club that explored Trotting Park fully air restaurant. Parking lot was mostly empty the early 1960s, James J. Dunnigan invested heavily a... Attendance was much lower than anticipated, partly due to competition from other well-established racing facilities in the `` of... Stay Away from Trotting Park to the south warm during the winter months hazards including asbestos,,. From his home in New York horse racing track in 1964 for $ 24 million.. Nights of racing it helpful 194-acre property was vacant for 51 years demolition. The abandoned Trotting Park was James Dunnigan Arizona & # x27 ; s long-shuttered Standardbred track sold! 1965 and was eventually demolished in December 29 Gullickson, Glenn by a.... Build a grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators 2-year-old and 3-year-old and. Abandoned places in Arizona that stick out like a sore thumb called Phoenix Park! Omission, please Contact me corner detail of a barren expanse of land just I-10. Inn of America owned the land upon which the Trotting Park - a complex... Was once home to thousands of pigeons to achieve unusually long cantilevers of 39 feet for the girders... Be knocked down, crews were on site of the Dunnigan Family, the Trotting! Was considered cutting-edge in the middle of Arizona, Cordes was founded 1883. These places as well measured 8 by 8 by 8 by 105 feet, and the parking... 45 minutes before I left, I felt so accomplished, I so... part of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the track to. Wanted to go see some of these places as well 1965 Season 12... And visionaries behind the Park from Fly UAS phoenix trotting park deaths still visit and even tour including... ( enjoyed your great photos at 83, dust, pigeon droppings, as as...
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