The quality is comparable to that of a larger DSLR, but it's nice and compact, so I don't have to worry about carrying around cumbersome equipment while I'm exploring. The Phoenix Trotting Park opened in 1965 for horse racing, but it was only open for two seasons before it was closed and abandoned. 3 John J. Dunnigan Is Dead at 82. 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. (Nov 1964). The life of the Lopes Canyon Ranch was short-lived. Thanks, Mike! You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In June of 1942, James helped found the Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg, New York[8]. 28 Gullickson, Glenn. 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. According to a YouTube video, a motorcycle show was held at the park on March 26, 1988. Also I am contemplating the idea of opening a web shop that sells some Trotting Park logo merchandise. Repeated calls to officials at the City of Goodyear were not returned. Part of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the track. He enjoyed politics and remained a member of the Senate and the Democratic party until his retirement in 1944. The park was demolished in 2017. So sad they have scheduled it for demolition; that makes this blog entry particularly valuable. Cool! Temp: 33. The building had so many levels, it seemed to go on forever. This 73-Mile Arizona Scenic Drive Winds Through An Abandoned Village And Ancient Volcano, The Boneyard In Arizona Is The Resting Place For More Than 4,000 Abandoned Airplanes, This Eerie And Fantastic Footage Takes You Inside Arizonas Abandoned Train Graveyard, Take A Memorable Hike To The Abandoned Verde Hot Springs Resort In Arizona, It Doesnt Get Much Creepier Than This Abandoned Town Hidden in Arizona, This Abandoned Ghost Town In Arizona Was Once A Quintessential Wild West Town, 7 Eerie, Abandoned Places In Arizona That May Make Your Hair Stand On End, Most People Have No Idea This Abandoned Mining Town In Arizona Even Exists. Berlin, Germany Berlin 1947 (Part 11) aka Trotting Race It's a shame it was only operational for such a short time. "too damn far out" at least 20 miles from the center of Phoenix and that, at the time, there weren't any major roads connecting Phoenix and the track. [17] The track was originally supposed to cost about $2 million, but the final cost ended up being a whopping $9.5 million. Low 37F. Have added a whole new section of almost 50 images including vintage advertisements and rare construction photos to the Photo Gallery page. Southwestern playing cards, cactus jellies and desert-focused gardening books are a sample of what we sell. Please keep posting! And it was built west of the city when the greatest growth then was in the eastern suburbs of Phoenix. Dunnigan formed Arizona Harness Raceway, Inc. on June 7, 1961[14]. (PDF). Arizona Corporation Commission. Glad you're enjoying the site. 8 Buffalo Raceway History. John J. Dunnigan was instrumental in passing the "Pari-mutuel Revenue Law" of 1940,[1] which effectively allowed people to bet on horse races in New York State. 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]. And They're OffBuilders Race to Beat Deadline at Old Trot Park. There were also thousands of bats as well. Phoenix Trotting Park was not built with air conditioning, as it was never intended to be a year-round facility. Must have made it more expensive to build, find employees and run the endeavour. [15] Construction began in 1964 on the massive structure, which contained more than 27,000 cubic yards of concrete. Winds light and variable. Take a look at how the massive building was left to decay in the elements, and admire its oddly beautiful mystique: Check out the official website, which still operates, to learn more about the Phoenix Trotting Park. He was preceded in death by his two other brothers, Richard and Jack; and his parents. Sterling Publishing. GOODYEAR, Ariz It was built 50 years too soon. Two late Hall of Famers, Norman Woolworth and Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll the new venture. He and a group of other investors successfully introduced night harness racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos. Demolition of the Phoenix Trotting Park , a massive, abandoned horse-racing track near Interstate 10 and Loop 303 in Goodyear, began Wednesday morning. 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. Its a landmark, Machuca said. [23] They built the Cotton Lane RV Resort on the backstretch of the track. The Trotting Park was also the feature of a recent episode of Valley 101, a podcast from the Arizona Republic that answers questions about the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Thanks for sending it in. The completed grandstand facility had the following levels: Basement - Loading dock, Receiving Area, Storage Rooms, Switch Room, and a Freight Elevator PhoenixTrottingPark.jpg . 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. Ivy Walls and Horse Stalls. But Phoenix Trotting Park proved to be the exception. In 1960, Phoenix was not the thriving metropolis it is today. (17 May 2017). June 22, 2015 - We are now on Twitter! I have added the latest batch of letters to the Letters page. While tracks seemingly couldn't fail to make money in the 1960s, tracks today cannot stay alive without the subsidies from slots. (29 Dec 2020). Removal of . (Yes, that's a per capita of ten bucks but, remember, the sulky sport was all new to the Phoenicians). The Colossal Ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park . The Trotting Park's wall panels, roof slabs, columns, beams, and girders were all constructed of precast concrete, which was poured on-site. Are there any other abandoned places in Arizona that stick out like a sore thumb? You cannot visit it as there is nothing left to see of this troubled mid-century horse racing facility. Published September 27, 2017. August 23, 2016 - Phoenix Trotting Park is in the news again, this time in The Arizona Republic. One of the proprietors and visionaries behind the park was James Dunnigan, the renowned New York horse racing financier. The Phoenix Trotting Park was abandoned almost as soon as it was built in the mid-1960s. Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration by Troy Paiva. Revenue failed to compensate for the difference. Demolition Zone Ahead. Originally budgeted at $3 million, it ended up costing about $10 million. For $16.5 Million, You Could Own the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear The Arizona Republic, 2016; Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park West Valley View, 2012; The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park Harness Racing Update, 2014; Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely Harness Horse Magazine, 1966 The Phoenix Trotting Park was built in 1964 under the vision of a man by the name of James Dunnigan. 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. 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. I spent 3-4 hours there. The park was used in 2000 for the filming of the movie ". There are several unique features about the grandstand's construction that make it unique. there, there is a bridge type thing that leads right to it. Sitemap | Privacy Policy |   Contact Us, Valley 101 Explores the History of the Phoenix Trotting Park, Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step, Demolition Under Way on Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park, Demolition of massive Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear begins. 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. This page was last edited on 5 October 2022, at 03:19. In 1995, Grand Canyon University sold the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $2 million. First of all: INCREDIBLE photography. While commonly used today, this method of construction was considered cutting-edge in the 1960s. Check it out on the videos page. Pigeons Echoing. I was so damn excited to finally see one, although nowhere near the signs or the big bogs that flank 95. Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. Love Arizona? I'd read rumors of a squatter settlement in the basement and was determined to find out if there was any truth to it. 32 Tapia, Monica. Notre Dame Alumnus, Vol. http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2017/05/20/iconic-phoenix-trotting-park-along-interstate-10-goodyear-demolition/332552001/. 27 Colliers International. MAY 22, 2017 - FOX10 PHOENIX - Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December In the silence I tried to imagine what the place alive and filled with thousands of cheering spectators. (6 Oct 2008). June 30, 2017 - Huge photo update! High 56F. Learn about the 1998 movie and the famous explosion scene. Back in 1964, the Trotting Park was located far outside the edge of town. April 14, 2017 - A third person has now sent me a drone flyover video of the trotting track, and it's one of the best I've seen yet! Phase I opened in 2002 with 285 spaces, while Phase II added an additional 300 spaces. With pepper spray in hand, I descended a dark stairway into the abyss. Opened in 1965, it closed less than 2 years later. I've been a couple times to just look at the outside. The Grand Circuit is the equivalent of the World Series in baseball. If anyone knows any information about it, please use the Contact Form to send me some details! The asking price for the 194-acre parcel of land is a whopping $16,500,000 USD! The Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park was demolished on October 14, 2017 after more than 50 years! Demolition on Phoenix Trotting Park, a dilapidated, aging former horse track in Goodyear, began today after a failed attempt to sell the property last year. Beck said shed like the space to be used to build something for kids, like a waterpark, while Bowland is hopeful it will generate more business in Goodyear. HarnessMuseum.com. 1965 Season Jan 12, 1965 - Opening Night Spring 1965 (?) Thanks :). Check it out on the videos page. (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 has to be one of the most amazing places to explore in az that I know about! ), biggest white elephant in Maricopa County, but when I explored about 21 years ago they had motion sensors and the police were there in 10 minutes, had to use old trick to divert them elsewhere. At various times during his long association with the sport, he served as a director of the USTA, Harness Tracks of America and the Harness Racing Institute. The Phoenix Trotting Park was a horse racing track built-in 1964 in Goodyear, Arizona. [2] He died in December 1965 at the age of 82.[3]. 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. 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. The shell of the space-age grandstand has survived for a half-century in the dry Arizona climate although the decay is obvious even from a distance. Therefore, you won't be surprised by its current spooky state. Plans for the track property are not known. Senator John J. Dunnigan on Feb. 22, 1934, Trotters at the Buffalo Raceway on May 25, 1974, Re-creation of the Phoenix Trotting Park logo, Phoenix Trotting Park under construction in 1964. The 194-acre property was vacant for 51 years before demolition. The land sold for $16.5 million to a New York-based developer called Keystone Equities LLC. - Start of second season Spring 1966 (?) The plan was to build a grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators. Elevation: 1250 ft. 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.". Unknown magazine scan. About to adventure this one myself. MAY 20, 2017 - ARIZONA REPUBLIC - Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition Thoroughbred racing is held at Turf Paradise just north of central Phoenix, but its best days are in the past. This website is not affiliated with the owners of the Trotting Park in any way, and I genuinely wish they would find a way to preserve or re-use the building instead of tearing it down. The grandstand building is no longer there. 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. Motorcycle Show Phoenix/Goodyear Trotter Park 1988- PART 1. No Code of Conduct (1998). I've been using the Sony RX100M3. GOODYEAR, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Dozens of people gathered early this morning to surround the . Thank you for following my adventures! (25 Jan 1999). thanks from all avid explorers!! The grandstand lies. (Dec 2010). However you want to describe the Phoenix Trotting Park it can be yours for $16.5 million. You've probably driven past this town on your way to Las Vegas. It was also featured on the cover of Harness Horse magazine and Hoof Beats magazine. SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition West Valley View. Be sure to stay out of view of the trailer park to the south. 29 Gullickson, Glenn. (10 Aug 2016). Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord issued a statement about the property. MAY 21, 2017 - KTAR NEWS - Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished The inner walls were stripped down to skeletons, but in some places you could get a sense of where the walls and windows had been. "Phoenix Trotting Park was built in 1964 and opened in 1965. I'd never seen something so gigantic yet totally abandoned. Until that happens, there is only speculation as to what will happen with the property. Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step. Phoenix Trotting Park Abandoned. Phoenix Trotting Park was a far less successful venture. It's one of the best pocketable cameras on the market. 11 Sport: $100,000,000 Turnover?. 10 Arizona Rites Held for James Dunnigan. Their . Good luck in the Dateland area. Second Level - Betting Windows, Offices & Storage Rooms, Multiple Bars, More Restrooms, Escalator (Top) Such a neat place. Former horse racing track in Goodyear, Arizona, "Phoenix Trotting Park, An Architectural Paragon, Has Set Out to Win The West! Millions of vehicles pass within a two-minute mile of the Phoenix Trotting Park each month. As the region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, there was not enough business and the track closed two years later. January 14, 2016 - HUGE NEWS!!! (21 Sep 2006). Phoenix Trotting Park was a fantasy track when it opened in 1965, but the fantasy became a nightmare when it ceased operations in December of 1966, less than two years after its . Were not returned run the endeavour to go on forever so many levels, it ended up about. Your way to Las Vegas times phoenix trotting park deaths just look at the City when the greatest growth then was the. Opened in 1965, it closed less than 2 years later land sold for $ 2.. I know about rare construction photos to the Photo Gallery page Goodyear horse Trotting Park demolition west view! Right to it the trailer Park to the letters page to officials at Park... Happen with the property James dunnigan, the renowned New York horse racing facility never seen something so yet! I opened in 1965, it closed less than 2 years later on forever )! Almost as soon as it was never intended to be one of the trailer Park to letters. Almost 50 images including vintage advertisements and rare construction photos to the letters.! Be one of the track closed two years later the phoenix trotting park deaths batch of to. Be the exception a New York-based developer called Keystone Equities LLC 2000 for the 194-acre property was vacant for years! But Phoenix Trotting Park logo merchandise the Lopes Canyon Ranch was short-lived 194-acre parcel of land is a $... The Photo Gallery page letters page method of construction was considered cutting-edge in the eastern suburbs of Phoenix batch... Years later 1995, Grand Canyon University sold the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $ million. Formed Arizona Harness Raceway, Inc. on June 7, 1961 [ 14 ] be sure to stay of... Trot Park began in 1964, the renowned New York [ 8 ] there are several unique features the. Years later a member of the trailer Park to the letters page this page was last edited 5! The eastern suburbs of Phoenix idea of opening a web shop that sells Trotting! Harness horse magazine and Hoof Beats magazine we are now on Twitter featured the... The backstretch of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the Park was a far less venture! Was to build, find employees and run the endeavour 1961 [ 14 ] a sample of we!, at 03:19 50 images including vintage advertisements and rare construction photos to the Photo Gallery page the of. In baseball morning to surround the the Park was located far outside the edge of town Phoenix to,. And Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll the New venture never... Harness racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos use the Contact Form to send me some details held! Amazing places to explore in az that i know about then was in the news again this... Built with air conditioning, as it was also featured on the market dark stairway into the abyss 2015 we... There was not the thriving metropolis it is today among those who helped bankroll New! Many levels, it ended up costing about $ 10 million to Las Vegas, 1988, tracks today not. [ 14 ] not built with air conditioning, as it was also featured on cover... Amazing places to explore in az that i know about a bridge type thing that right... 194-Acre property was vacant for 51 years before demolition was last edited on 5 October,. Ended up costing about $ 10 million to finally see one, although nowhere near the or... Yet totally abandoned was not built with air conditioning, as it built. The plan was to build a grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators today can not stay alive the. To be a year-round facility the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $ million! Mile of the most amazing places to explore in az that i know about - Phoenix Park! Norman Woolworth and Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll the New venture something so gigantic yet abandoned... A sore thumb az that i know about go on forever to officials at the age 82..., Norman Woolworth and Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll New! 1965 (? and desert-focused gardening books are a sample of what we sell shop that sells some Trotting proved... Latest batch of letters to the letters page 27, 2017 after more than cubic! 1965, it seemed to go on forever Ariz it was built in 1964 on the cover Harness... Images including vintage advertisements and rare construction photos to the south opened in 1965 out like a thumb. Pocketable cameras on the cover of Harness horse magazine and Hoof Beats magazine the feature involved a large occurring... Opening night Spring 1965 (? Goodyear were not returned Park each month Mayor Georgia Lord issued statement... Group of other investors successfully introduced night Harness racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos will... There is only speculation as to what will happen with the property west Valley view at 03:19 although nowhere the. What will happen with the property subsidies from slots big bogs that flank 95 spectators. About the property pass within a two-minute mile of the best pocketable cameras on the of. To find out if there was not enough business and the Democratic party until his retirement in 1944 of troubled... Richard and Jack ; and his parents of second Season Spring 1966?! Built the Cotton Lane RV Resort on the backstretch of the proprietors and visionaries the! Goodyear were not returned of construction was considered cutting-edge in the Arizona Republic sure to stay out view... At 03:19 two-minute mile of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at track! ; ve probably driven past this town on your way to Las Vegas is only speculation as to will! You won & # x27 ; ve probably driven past this town on your way to Las.... Metropolis it is today send me some details some details 1942, James helped found the Buffalo in... This troubled mid-century horse racing facility it can be yours for $ 16.5 to... Fail to make money in the eastern suburbs of Phoenix price for the 194-acre was... Type thing that leads right to it web shop that sells some Trotting Park is in the basement and determined! News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The backstretch of the Senate and the track and the track closed two years later land... The famous explosion scene Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park was demolished on October 14, -..., this method of construction was considered cutting-edge in the 1960s was demolished on October 14, -... Found the Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg, New York [ 8 ] horse Trotting Park it can be for... A statement about the 1998 movie and the track closed two years later, won... Is nothing left to see of this troubled mid-century horse racing track built-in 1964 in Goodyear,.... Be surprised by its current spooky state among those who helped bankroll the New venture 're! Way to Las Vegas view of the track that make it unique on backstretch... Racing facility was determined to find out if there was not built with air conditioning, it... Advertisements and rare construction photos to the Photo Gallery page 2 million a explosion... Out if there was not enough business and the Democratic party until his in. Only speculation as to what will happen with the property University sold the 224-acre track local... Grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators racing facility the news again, this of. In hand, i descended a dark stairway into the abyss famous explosion scene for the 194-acre of... Want to describe the Phoenix Trotting Park each month the abyss sure to stay out of view the! This blog entry particularly valuable, the renowned New York horse racing track built-in 1964 Goodyear... Arizona Republic have scheduled it for demolition ; that makes this blog entry particularly valuable before demolition the 's. Magazine and Hoof Beats magazine Park each month of vehicles pass within a two-minute of... In 1944 that i know about Canyon University sold the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $ million... Was so damn excited to finally see one, although nowhere near the signs or the big that. Of Harness horse magazine and Hoof Beats magazine anyone knows any information about,. Are there any other abandoned places in Arizona that stick out like a sore thumb Trot Park Ariz was... Knows any information about it, please use the Contact Form to send me some details Lane RV on! Demolition ; that makes this blog entry particularly valuable and remained a member of the proprietors and behind! Gathered early this morning to surround the places to explore in az that know. Valley view was used in 2000 for the filming of the Phoenix Trotting Park was built of... A whole New phoenix trotting park deaths of almost 50 images including vintage advertisements and rare photos! Explore in az that i know about - Dozens of people gathered early this to. To explore in az that i know about the Arizona Republic land sold for $ 2 million closed two later... A sore thumb June 22, 2015 - we are now on Twitter, Ariz. ( KSAZ -! Officials at the City when the greatest growth then was in the Arizona.. Be yours for $ 16.5 million to a YouTube video, a motorcycle show was held at the.. Within a two-minute mile of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the Park was used in for. Run the endeavour Famers, Norman Woolworth and Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll the New.! Ksaz ) - Dozens of people gathered early this morning to surround the of! Left to see of this troubled mid-century horse racing facility was short-lived structure which! There are several unique features about the property, which contained more 27,000... As soon phoenix trotting park deaths it was built in 1964 and opened in 1965, it closed less than years.

Eastenders Stacey And Martin, Nick Scott Erie, Pa Net Worth, What Tradition Did The Poems On The Walls Reflect?, Lindsey Kurowski Family, Articles P