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The Abandoned Trotter Park 10
The Abandoned Trotter Park 10
Brad


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Olympus E-10
Location: Goodyear, AZ
Date: Aug 24, 2004
Galleries: Architecture, History
Date Uploaded: Feb 27, 2007

Viewed: 3029
Comments: 1
Favorites: 0

The Phoenix Trotter Park, opened in the early 60's and abandoned a few years later, and was used for horse harness racing. Very visible from Interstate 10, just outside of Goodyear, AZ.
There is an apocalyptic feel to walking around such a place. It has the feel of a science fiction movie set, depicting a futuristic society fallen to a nuclear war.

Opened in 1965, it was originally supposed to be built for $3 million, but after Italian architects and contractors were brought in it wound up closer to $10 million, essentially bankrupting its builder, James Dunnigan, who had operated Buffalo Raceway. It was built of reinforced concrete, and could have withstood a direct hit by a hydrogen bomb. Delvin Miller, harness racing's Mr. Everything, implored Dunnigan to forego building a track, and instead workout a deal with Turf Paradise to install lights for a million or so and race harness nights at that thoroughbred track. That advice, feasible at the time, could have resulted in harness racing today in Phoenix. Instead, Phoenix Trotting Park went belly up and was bought by Sportservice, to make sure no reincarnation took place and its greyhound operation in Phoenix was protected. It is still standing, and some future travelers from space probably will regard it in the same way Stonehenge in Britain is regarded today......a monument built in the desert by sun worshipers.

Sad story from start to finish.

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AuthorThread
02/27/2007 05:00:29 AM
Are those birds in the stands?? What a wonderful home they've found! I can only imagine the mess they make...
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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