History
The Homewood track carried the name of a famous 19th-century course on Chicago's South Side and opened in 1926. Under Benjamin Lindheimer from 1935 and later his daughter Marje Everett, it hosted the American Derby and the 1955 match race in which Nashua beat Swaps.
On the night of February 5, 1977, fire destroyed the grandstand and clubhouse, and the track never reopened. The property was redeveloped for homes and businesses beginning in 1992, and a historical marker was placed in 2012.
Why it matters: It staged some of the most famous races of mid-century American racing, including the 1955 Nashua-Swaps match.
Timeline
- July 3, 1926Opening[2]
The track opened with the American Derby.
- 1946Record crowd[2]
A Labor Day crowd of 57,036 watched Armed set a track record.
- August 31, 1955
Nashua defeated Swaps in a famous 1 1/4-mile match race.
- February 5, 1977
Fire destroyed the grandstand and clubhouse, ending racing at the track.
- 1992Site redeveloped[1]
The property was sold for commercial and residential development.
- 2012Historical marker[1]
A marker commemorating the track was dedicated.
The site today
| Physical status | Site redeveloped |
|---|---|
| Current use | Commercial and residential development (from 1992)[1] |
| Mapped location | Approximate historic location |
Venue facts
| Other names | Washington Park |
|---|---|
| Location | West of Halsted Street, Homewood (historical marker at Maple Avenue and Presidents Drive), Homewood, Illinois |
| Venue type | Racetrack |
| Sports | Horse racing |
| Level | Thoroughbred, Harness |
| Opened | July 3, 1926[1,2] |
| Last used for sports | February 5, 1977[1,2] |
| Physical status | Site redeveloped |
| Owner / operator | Benjamin F. Lindheimer (1935-1960); Marjorie Lindheimer Everett |
| Closure | Grandstand and clubhouse destroyed by fire on February 5, 1977. |
Documented details
- Under Marje Everett the plant was enclosed in glass in 1962, and harness racing was added.[2]
Connected venues
Sources
- Washington Park Race Track, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: closed, current land use, events, opened
- Washington Park Racetrack historical marker, Historical Marker Database. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: closed, coordinates, 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.
Where sources disagree (1)
- Wikipedia's infobox mixes the 1884 Chicago track (address and coordinates) with the 1977 closing of the Homewood track.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.