What Do We Know of the Great "Race Field" of Pelham Used in the First Half of the 19th Century?

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Tradition long has held that in the early 19th century there was an important horse racing area in the Town of Pelham that was known as the great "Race Field."  The Race Field reportedly attracted important wealthy thoroughbred owners from far and near who traveled to Pelham to test their horses, race them, bet, and enjoy the region.

What do we really know about this tradition of a great "Race Field?"

In his seminal book on the history of Pelham published in 1946, Lockwood Barr mentioned the Race Field.  He wrote:

"In some of the ancient books narrating life in Westchester, there are references to a famous Pelhamville Race Track, where Westchester squires who bred fast-trotting and pacing horses and were proud of their sporting proclivities, would meet to hold friendly brushes, each driving his own favorite steed; and they do say the side bets were often sizeable!  In the map room of the New York Public Library, is a map of Westchester dated 1851, showing this 'Race Field' in Pelhamville as being located west of the present New Haven Railroad Station, east of the Hutchinson River, extending from about where is now the old ice plant, up beyond where is now St. Catharine's Church.  The word 'Race' is on the south side, and 'Field' on the north side of the New Haven Railroad.  Since the Railroad began operation through Pelham in 1848, the Race Field must have been there long before that date."

Source:  Barr, Lockwood, A Brief, But Most Complete & True Account of the Settlement of the Ancient Town of Pelham Westchester County, State of new York Known One Time Well & Favourably as The Lordshipp & Mannour of Pelham Also the Story of the Three Modern Villages Called the Pelhams, pp. 133-34 (Richmond, VA:  The Dietz Press, Inc., 1946).  

The map referenced by Lockwood Barr in the quote above is the "Map of West Chester County, New York" published by Newell S. Brown (Philadelphia, PA) in 1851.  The Surveyor was Sidney & Neff.  A pertinent detail from that map appears immediately below.

Detail from 1851 Map of Westchester County Showing Northern

Tip of the Town of Pelham with "Race Field" Noted on Each Side

of the New Haven Railroad Line.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

A sporting magazine published in 1884 provided some interesting information about the great Race Field that once stood in Pelham in an article about famed local horse Barometer, winner of the 1884 Great Pelham Steeplechase.  The article stated in pertinent part:

"The neighborhood [surrounding the Country Club Steeplechase grounds that once stood along today's Shore Road] is also not without its turf history.  About a mile to the north, and in sight of the spire of the old Eastchester Church is the broad heath which, in the past generation was known as the Race Field.  Here it was that nearly a century since the Pells, the Morrises, the Delanceys, and others of the old Westchester families tested their thoroughbreds.  Racing had a well-defined existence even at that early day, as many of the settlers had brought with them their fondness for the sport. . . ."

Source:  Barometer, Winner of the Great Pelham Steeplechase, Owned and Ridden by J. D. Cheever, Esq., The Spirit of the Times, Oct. 25, 1884, Vol. 108, No. 18, p. 409, col. 1.  

In 1881, Robert Bolton, Jr. made a brief reference to the "Race Field" in the second edition of his seminal history of Westchester County.  There, Bolton was writing about the home that once belonged to James Hay known today as Pelhamdale (located at 45 Iden Avenue).  Bolton stated in pertinent part:

"Pelham Dale, the property of Hargous, is delightfully situated near the junction of the salt and fresh waters of the Acqueanouncke.  This estate formerly belonged to Colonel David Pell; and upon the division of his property, was purchased by the late James Hay, Esq.  The dwelling house is a handsome structure of stone, and commands a beautiful view of Hutchinson's River, together with the distant village and spire of Eastchester.  The garden contains a choice collection of trees and shrubs, and is also enlivened by a running stream.  About half a mile further up the valley is situated the 'Race Field,' once famous in the annals of the turf, adjoining which is the village of Pelhamville; here is a depot of the New Haven Railroad and a small Episcopal church, called the Church of the Redeemer. . ."

Source:  Bolton, Jr., Robert, The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester from its First Settlement to the Present Time Carefully Revised by its Author, Vol. II, pp. 68-69 (NY, NY:  Chas. F. Roper, 1881).  

From such sources we can surmise the following about the Great Race Field of Pelham.  It predated the construction of the New Haven Line, the first tracks of which were laid in 1847 and 1848.  For perhaps a decade or two before that, maybe longer, the broad heath that stood between the intersection of today's Fifth Avenue and 1st Street and today's Pelham Reservoir beyond the Hutchinson River Parkway was the site of the great Race Field.  Very roughly, the tracks of the New Haven Line built on an artificial berm to raise the tracks through the region split the broad heath where the great Race Field once stood.  A portion of the Race Field must have been located where the giant parking lot now sits behind the Village of Pelham Village Hall.  On the other side of the New Haven Line, the Race Field must have extended roughly to where St. Catharine's now stands.  Additionally, it would seem that Westchester families such as the Morrises and the Delanceys raced and tested their thoroughbreds on the great Race Field in days long gone.

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