Hampden Park Racetrack, Springfield, Massachusetts, circa 1885

01

Artifact Overview

American bicycle racing flourished in the late 19th century. Horse tracks could be converted for bicycle racing -- a shorter oval was created while still using the stretch in front of the grandstands. This photograph shows the Hampden Park race track in Springfield, Massachusetts. On the back is a drawing showing the bicycle oval in relation to the horse racing track.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1885

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

86.18.46.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process
Mounting
Toning (Photography)

Color

Brown
Sepia (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in
Width: 8.25 in

Inscriptions

Photographer's imprint on front: ... STALL, Publisher / ...MONT STREET / ...MASS. / CYCLE CELEBRITIES / A.A. G... / PHOTOG... / Newto... Handwritten in ink on back: Hampden Park / Track. Springfield Mass / on which most world's records / were made in 1880s. / one half mile bicycle / oval [illegible]side of mile / trotting track Label on back: LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WHEELMEN / ABBOT BASSETT Secretary-Treasurer, 221 Columbus Ave., Boston, Mass.