Driving Park

[klsm54]

This was located back behind Martins and Paris. The grandstand, or what was left of them, and one livestock building, remained through the 70's, maybe into the 80's. The Gateway Fair was there. Pictures exist, but I couldn't readily find them.

This is from the History of Clearfield County Pennsylvania that was written in 1887 by Lewis Cass Aldrich

Driving Park Association.-The sketch of this association should properly have appeared under the head of Agriculture, but wishing to present the different organizations, etc., in a chronological order we shall, insert it here.

  On June 10, 1886 "The Du Bois Agricultural and Driving Park Association" was organized, and the following officers were elected: J. E. Du Bois, president; John Rumbarger, vice-president; L. M. Truxal, secretary, and G. D. Hamor, treasurer. The capital stock was fixed at $10,000, in shares of $10 each. The association was incorporated August 9, 1886. Article II of its constitution reads: "The objects of this corporation are to encourage and foster among the citizens of Clearfield and adjoining counties a spirit of improvement in the agricultural productions of the said counties, and the breeding, raising and training of all kinds of stock, and also to afford a pleasure park for driving and other innocent sports and amusements."

  The first annual fair was held September 7, 8, 9, and 10, 1886, scoring an undisputed success in attendance, exhibits, etc.

  The gross receipts amounted to $5,462.40. The main exhibition building is 40 by 40 feet, with a central tower and four wings, extension of sixty feet each. The grand stand is 309 by 32 feet, with a band cupola, all under roof, furnishing a seating capacity of about 3,000. The dance pavilion and department of public comfort is 40 by 80 feet, and a nice pump-house with a never-failing well of pure, soft water. The judges stand is 12 by 12, twenty-two feet high. The ground covers thirty acres, part of which is nicely shaded with primitive forest The race course, or "track" is known as the "fast" track, in contradistinction of the "national" track. The length of the sides is 710 feet, curve 610 feet, making (raised curve 31/2 feet) uniform. curves, there being only three other race courses in the United States like it. Such superior advantages for the trial of speed are limited, hence the association intends to inaugurate a series of races in the month of June of each year to be known as the "June races."

  The horse barn is 750 feet long, furnishing sixty-six stalls. The cattle barn is 528 feet long, divided into eighty-eight stalls. The sheep and pig-pen is 300 feet long, with about fifty stalls, and the poultry-house is 110 feet long.