Pioneer Race Course facts for kids
The Pioneer Race Course, also known as the Pioneer Race Track, was an important horse racing track. It opened in March 1851 in the southern part of the Mission District in San Francisco, California.
This race course was the very first one in San Francisco. When it was built, there were no streets in that area. Later, it was surrounded by what are now 24th Street, 26th Street, Capp Street, and Florida Street.
Local businessmen George Treat and his brother John Treat provided the money and planned the race course. Alfred Green was the person who actually built the track.
The race course was sold in 1862 or 1863 to the San Francisco Homestead Association. They bought it for $500 per acre. However, the land became much more valuable very quickly. Within ten years, it was worth $20,000 per acre! Small pieces of the land were sold off in 1864. Some of the first houses built on this land are still standing today. They are part of the Shotwell Street historic district. One house might even be the oldest home still standing in San Francisco.
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Exciting Historical Events
The Pioneer Race Course was not just for horse races. Many other interesting events happened there over the years.
A Notable Duel in 1854
On May 21, 1854, a serious event took place at the Pioneer Race Course. A lawyer named George T. Hunt and his friend Numa Hubert had a duel. Numa Hubert was a former member of the California state assembly. During the duel, George T. Hunt was injured and sadly passed away.
First California State Fair Stock Show
In October 1854, the race course hosted a big event. It was the site of the stock show for the very first California State Fair. People brought their best farm animals to show them off.
Civil War Camp Alert
From 1862 to 1863, the race course land was used for something different. It became a Civil War army camp called Camp Alert. Soldiers from the 2nd California Cavalry stayed there. Later, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Some records say the camp was there until 1865.
Railway Celebration and Station
In October 1863, the Pioneer Race Course was the place for a big party. People celebrated the completion of the San Francisco-San Jose Railway. For a while, the race course even served as the railway's San Francisco station. The location of this race course, and another one nearby called the Union Race Course, helped decide where the railway would extend into the city. This still affects how property lines are drawn in the area today.
Maps of the Pioneer Race Course
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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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This 1861 map of San Francisco clearly shows the Pioneer Race Course. (North is at the top of this map.)
