THE WAY IT WAS...
...Horseracing in the Thumb
by Al Eicher

Horse racing in Michigan started in the early 1800s on the muddy streets of Detroit. Early records also indicate horse races took place on the beaches of Lake St. Clair in the 1850s. In doing some research on Huron, Tuscola and Lapeer Counties we find the railroads had much to do with the development of horseracing in the three counties.

In 1872, the Lapeer Clarion newspaper announced a group called the Lapeer Driving Park Association would be building a half-mile oval racetrack for “sulky racing.” It was also announced that patrons could take part in “On track betting.” Lapeer at this time had two railroad lines passing through town to bring in the crowds during the racing season. The Port Huron and Lake Michigan railroad came to Lapeer in 1870, and in 1872, the Detroit and Bay City railroad was established and carried passengers and freight to this growing community.

These early racetracks were considered a cultural center for the community. Track activity also brought in tourist dollars and helped to fill hotel rooms and keep the taverns busy. By 1875, a third rail line called the Lapeer and Northern was in business. Back then, racetrack towns had a brewery. The Lapeer City Brewery in the 1870s delivered 2,000 barrels of beer a year in servicing local hotels and area taverns.

At Sebewaing in 1880, the S. T. & H Railroad came to the town and soon it became a resort destination for the Saginaw and Bay City crowds. Sebewaing had nice beaches at this time due to the higher lake levels. The railroads and small steamship lines promoted weekend excursions to Sebewaing as it was the biggest town in Huron County. At the time, it had four coal mines, four hotels and seven taverns, and a fine business district. Oh! I almost forgot - they have the Braendle Brewery. Years later this would become the Sebewaing Brewing Company. Tourist and visitors could stay at the following hotels: the Goebel House, the Union House, the Chappel House and the Hannah Hotel. I remember eating at the Hannah Hotel. It was a big red brick building…they catered to convention groups in the early 1900s and were known to serve caviar, champagne and filet mignon. Sebewaing was a growing town and actually hosted the first Huron County Fair.

With all this tourist trade, it was decided by the newly formed Sebewaing Driving Park and Fairground Association to build a half-mile oval racetrack near the bay, about a quarter of a mile north and west of town. Grandstands were also built at the park plus Mr. Henry Goebel Sr. operated a saloon and restaurant at the track. On track betting was permitted and train-loads of people came from all around the state of Michigan. The trains also had a scheduled stop at the racetrack. Today, if you go to Sebewaing, to the site of the old track, you can see a building that was once the large stable for the race horses. The actual site today is located at the Bay Shore Park.

At Cass City, about 1888, there was considerable interest within the business community to develop a fairgrounds and recreational park. The plan also called for a quarter of a mile, oval racetrack. The Robert Orr family sold the land to the Park Association and, for more than 40 years, the racetrack was a popular place and brought many visitors to the community.

In the 1890s, the Bad Axe Driving Park Association was also developed as horseracing was becoming a big sport in Michigan. The driving park was part of a 500-acre development, which would become the site for the well-known Huron County Fairgrounds we know today.

Back then, transportation by train was very convenient and a real value by today’s standards. These towns with racetracks sometimes had four to eight trains a day to service the community. I can remember my great aunt coming to Pigeon on the train from Chicago.

By 1929, the racetracks were coming on “Hard Times” due to the Depression years. In 1933, the “Racing Act” was enacted, creating a legalized way to provide jobs, business opportunities and revenue for the state. It also legalized the public to wager on horse races in Michigan. In September of 1933, the Michigan Governor and 20,000 racing fans were at the Michigan State Fairgrounds to officially kick off pari-mutuel horse racing in Michigan….and that’s The Way It Was at the Race Tracks in the Thumb.

Al and Dave Eicher provide television production services to corporations, ad agencies and nonprofit organizations. They also create Michigan town histories and offer lecture services on a variety of Michigan History Events. You may contact them at 248-333-2010; E-mail: info@program-source.com; Web site: www.program-source.com; Address: PSI, P.O. Box 444, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303.