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History

A Brief History
(more information to come as it becomes available)

For 15 years Providence's Judge, James E. Dooley, one time President of the Canadian Hockey League, tried to win approval for para-mutual horse race gambling in Rhode Island. In June of 1934, horse race gambling became legal in the Ocean State.

Mr. Dooley along with onetime Rhode Island mill operator, and Star Tribune owner, Walter E. O'Hara, bought 130 acres in Pawtucket from an old time Woonsocket saloonkeeper named John F. Letendre. They paid $150,000 for the land, which had once been the site of the old What Cheer Airport.

By the end of July, Narragansett Racing Association was incorporated. (The name Narragansett comes from an Indian tribe from Providence River on the northeast to Pawcatuck River on the southwest. The name means 'people of the small point,' from naiagans, diminutive of naiag, 'small point of land.')

Narragansett Park opened on August 1, 1934; just two months after horse race gambling became legal in Rhode Island. The Park was more popularly known as 'Gansett" and held its first thoroughbred race while the paint was still wet on the grandstand. The park cost $1,200,000 to build and consisted of the grandstand which seated 10,000 people, the clubhouse, which held an additional 4,000, the stables which accommodated 1,650 horses, the judges' stand and of course the track. The track was a one mile oval with footing of sandy loam. The width of the stretch was 90 feet 6 inches. The width of the backstretch was 70 feet 2 inches. Width of the turns was 87 feet. The distance from the judges' stand to the first turn was 360 feet and 1,050 feet from the last turn. The track had an automatic starting gate and camera finish. Narragansett was the first to adopt this. It later became a standard at all tracks.

Aerial view of the track

Diagram from the American Racing Manual 1955 of the layout of Narraganset Park.
(courtesy of Jeannine)

Narragansett Park, while at first not one of the well-known social racetracks, did very well financially. The track took 62% of all bets and kept the breaks. (Odd pennies left over after bets are paid off to the nickel.) Narragansett's take for 1936 was $1, 174,000. Programs, concessions and gate receipts added another $457,000. The Park showed a clear profit of $507,000 for the year after handing out $717,000 for purses and all other expenses.

One of the tracks owners', Walter O'Hara got into difficulties with Rhode Island Governor Robert Quinn. Mr. O'Hara owed the government income tax money to the sum of $30,000 and also used his paper the Star Tribune to instigate situations between himself and Governor Quinn. His paper went bankrupt and was sold and it was demanded he be removed from his position at Narragansett Track. He gave trouble and 300 Rhode Island Militiamen arrived at the park while Mr. O'Hara was up in his penthouse above the clubhouse. The track closed for a while, but later reopened. Mr. O'Hara died in a car accident in Taunton, Massachusetts in March of 1941.

Such races as the Narragansett Special, Rhode Island Handicap, Governors Handicap, King Phillip Handicap, Providence Stakes, Narragansett Nursery and Sophomore Special were held at Narragansett Park.

Such great horses as Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Alsab, War Relic and Gun Bow raced at Narragansett Park. Crowds of 40,000, sports celebrities, movie stars and millionaires such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gergig, Cab Calloway, Jimmy Durante, Mickey Rooney, and Milton Berle appeared for races. There were even Racetrack Trains to bring racing enthusiasts to the park. Services from Boston to Providence and New Haven to Providence called Specials, likely named after the Narragansett Special.

1942 Preakness winner Alsab (inside rail) and 1941 Triple Crown Winner Whirlaway had a $25,000 match race at Narragansett Park on September 19, 1942. Alsab won by a nose.

Sadly, the 1970s were bad years for horse racing in Rhode Island. The massive crowds that once turned up at the track dwindled down to a mere 3,000 or so. The track hit financial peril due to smaller crowds and poor management decisions and was forced to close in 1978.

A year later, the city of Pawtucket bought the land and over the next several years developed it into an industrial park and some residential housing.

Today, all that remains of Narragansett Park is part of the grandstand, which is now a Building 19 1/9 discount retail store.

All that is left of Narragansett Park is part of the grandstand, which is now a Building 19 1/9 discount retail store.

The future of the grandstand building hangs in the balance. It is believed that within the next few years it will be torn down, as it has become impractical for it's current use. And then Narragansett Park will be gone, except for scattered photos, memories, memorabilia, magazine and Internet articles.

The purpose of this website is to preserve the history of Narragansett Park through information, memories, photos and articles. If you have anything to add to the website please contact me at NarragansettPark@yahoo.com

Photo of Ellen Mist, courtesy of Jeannine