History
The track opened on September 10, 1901, as the Spokane Interstate Fair grounds and was lengthened to five furlongs in 1946. Its main races included the Playfair Mile and the Spokane Derby, and Ferris Field, a ballpark built in 1936, stood next door.
The last races were run on December 17, 2000, and the track officially closed in July 2001. The city bought the 63-acre site in 2004, its assets were auctioned and it was demolished, and it was redeveloped as an industrial park.
Timeline
- September 10, 1901Track opens[1]
The track opened as the Spokane Interstate Fair grounds.
- 1946Track lengthened[1]
The track was expanded from four to five furlongs.
- December 17, 2000Final races[1]
The final races were run; the track officially closed in July 2001.
- March 2004Assets auctioned[1]
The facility's assets were auctioned and the track was demolished shortly after.
- 2009Industrial sale[1]
48 acres were sold to steel-framing maker SCAFCO.
The site today
| Physical status | Site redeveloped[1] |
|---|---|
| Current use | Playfair Commerce Park industrial lots[1] |
| Surviving remnants | Large metal horse silhouettes mark the commerce park entrance. |
| Mapped location | Approximate historic location |
Venue facts
| Other names | Spokane Interstate Fair (1901–1935) |
|---|---|
| Location | N. Haven Street and E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane, Spokane, Washington[1] |
| Venue type | Racetrack |
| Sports | Horse racing |
| Level | Thoroughbred |
| Opened | September 10, 1901[1] |
| Last used for sports | December 17, 2000[1] |
| Demolished | c. 2004[1] |
| Physical status | Site redeveloped |
| Surface | Five-furlong dirt oval (expanded from four furlongs in 1946) |
| Owner / operator | City of Spokane bought the site in 2004; later SCAFCO / The Stone Group |
Documented details
- Ferris Field, home of the Spokane Indians baseball team through 1956, was built next to the track in 1936.[1]
Sources
- Playfair Race Course, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: address, closed, coordinates, current land use, demolished, events, opened
Research confidence
Some facts on this page rely on a single source or are still being corroborated. Treat specific dates and figures with care. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.