“Hawthorne,” a name resonating through Chicago’s sporting history. Hawthorne Park shares its name with the renowned Hawthorne Race Course. This park offers a serene escape. But its name evokes the thrilling world of horse racing.
Let’s journey back to 1891. Edward Corrigan opened Hawthorne Race Course. He was a Chicago businessman and horseman. Corrigan even owned Riley. Riley won the 1890 Kentucky Derby. The race course quickly became a local institution.
In 1902 a fire devastated the grandstand. Racing moved temporarily to the Harlem racetrack. Hawthorne reopened later that year. It held a 12-day summer meet.
Horse racing faced a ban in Chicago in 1905. Hawthorne closed. But its story didn’t end there. Thomas Carey bought the track in 1909. He tried to reopen it. The sheriff’s department and local police intervened.
Motorcycle racing briefly took center stage in 1914. Tragedy struck when Charles “Fearless” Balke died. He collided with a roller during practice laps.
Hawthorne hosted a 13-day meeting in 1916. This included the American Derby. But racing stopped again until 1922.
In 1922 Hawthorne legally reopened. The meet expanded to 25 days in 1923. The Chicago Business Men’s Racing Association took over in 1924. They ran a 52-day meet. A new clubhouse was built. Parimutuel betting began.
The Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap was introduced in 1927. This became a major stakes event. Sun Beau won his first Gold Cup in 1929. He later won two more.
Daily double wagering arrived in Chicago. Hawthorne also used a new infrared timer. The track began the Chicago racing season in 1936. It started with a spring meet.
Hawthorne continued to grow. It took over Lincoln Fields Race Track’s dates. The track introduced races for Illinois-bred horses.
Turf racing returned in 1948. A six-furlong turf course was added. A new clubhouse opened in 1959. It offered expanded seating.
Standardbred harness racing began in 1970. Hawthorne ran thoroughbred meets in spring summer and autumn. It also held winter standardbred meets. Quarter horse races were occasional.
Another fire struck in 1978. Hawthorne’s grandstand was destroyed. Racing moved to Sportsman’s Park. Hawthorne reopened in 1980. It hosted a 72-day thoroughbred meet.
Arlington Park burned down in 1985. Hawthorne gained all summer dates. This happened in 1986 1987 and 1988.
Hawthorne received approval to become a racino in 2020. This blends racing with casino gaming.
The track features a one-mile dirt oval. It also has a seven-furlong turf course. The home stretch is 1320 feet long. This makes it the third-longest in the US.
Hawthorne Park stands as a reminder of this rich sporting heritage. While you enjoy the park’s peaceful atmosphere remember the echoes of thundering hooves. Think about the cheers of the crowd that once defined the nearby Hawthorne Race Course. It is a legacy that continues to resonate today.