Pioneer Race Course facts for kids
The Pioneer Race Course, also known as the Pioneer Race Track, was a famous horse racing track. It opened in March 1851 in the southern part of the Mission District in San Francisco, California. This track was special because it was the very first horse racing course ever built in San Francisco.
When the Pioneer Race Course was first built, there were no streets in that area. Later, it was located near what became 24th Street, 26th Street, Capp Street, and Florida Street. Two local businessmen, George Treat and his brother John Treat, provided the money and plans for the track. Alfred Green was the person who actually built it.
In 1862 or 1863, the race course land was sold to the San Francisco Homestead Association. It was sold for $500 per acre. However, the land quickly became much more valuable, reaching $20,000 per acre within ten years. In 1864, smaller plots of land from the former race course were sold off. Some of the first houses built on this land are now part of a historic area called the Shotwell Street historic district. One house there might even be the oldest home still standing in San Francisco!
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Exciting Moments at Pioneer Race Course
The Pioneer Race Course was not just for horse races. It also hosted other important events during its time.
California State Fair Stock Show
In October 1854, the race course was chosen as the location for the very first California State Fair's stock show. A stock show is where farmers display their best farm animals, like cows, sheep, and pigs, to be judged. It was a big event for the state's agriculture.
Camp Alert During the Civil War
From 1862 to 1863 (and possibly until 1865), the race course grounds were used as a military camp. This camp was called Camp Alert. It was home to the 2nd California Cavalry, a group of soldiers during the American Civil War. They stayed there before moving to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Railway Celebration and Station
In October 1863, the Pioneer Race Course was the site of a big celebration. This event marked the completion of the San Francisco-San Jose Railway. This new railway connected San Francisco to San Jose, making travel and trade much easier. For a while, the race course even served as the railway's station in San Francisco. The location of the Pioneer Race Course, and another nearby track called the Union Race Course, actually helped decide where the railway lines were built into the city. This even affects how property lines are drawn in the area today!
Maps
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This 1857 map shows the Pioneer Race Course and the nearby Union Race Course. (West is at the top of this map)
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This 1864 map from a San Francisco surveyor shows the Pioneer Race Course Tract. This was the housing area created from the race course land. (East is at the top of this map)
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An 1861 map of San Francisco, clearly showing the Pioneer Race Course. (North is at the top of this map)
