DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 
Challenge Entries
This image is not a part of any challenge.
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
The Abandoned Trotter Park 4
The Abandoned Trotter Park 4
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: 2311
Comments: 0
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.

Please log in or register to add your comments!


There are no comments here yet. Be the first to add yours!


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 12:07:04 PM EDT.