North Memphis Driving Park (Race Track), 1450 North Thomas Street, Memphis, Shelby County, TN

Significance: Constructed in 1901, the North Memphis Driving Park quickly gained national prominence as the fastest track of the Grand Circuit. Conceived by C.K.G. Billings and Frank Jones, the design was accomplished by Seth Griffin, a specialist in the field. The track was opened October 21, 1901, and in its brief first season ten harness racing records were broken; seventeen more records were established during the following season. Every major pacing and trotting record was set at the park. Memphis was dropped from the Grand Circuit in 1905 as the result of a state prohibition against gambling on races. The only remaining portion of this great track is the carriage gateway.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-55
Survey number: HABS TN-170