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In 1920, Missouri cattleman began to develop the area around the Hialeah racetrack by donating land for community use while helping to acquire funds for construction of public buildings, facilities, and, yes, a racetrack.
In 1922, Missouri cattleman James Bright and aviation pioneer Glenn Curtis opened the first pari-mutuel greyhound track in America at Hialeah Park under the auspices of a group called the Miami Kennel Club.
After three successful years of dog racing, Bright, Curtis and area businessman Joseph Smoot established the Miami Jockey Club and launched thoroughbred racing at Hialeah on January 15, 1925. The one-mile dirt track featured a clubhouse, dance hall, an administration building, 21 stables and a nearby jai alai field. In addition, Bright and Curtis also hired a full-time snake catcher to rid the park of the numerous indigenous snakes that populated the area around the everglades.
In 1926, the track was virtually destroyed by a hurricane. New owners in 1930, however, treated the track to a major league makeover. Ascot, Deauville, Longchamp and Epsom Downs – all European tracks – were used as models for the opulent new Hialeah that opened on Jan. 14, 1932.
New track owner Joseph Widener also imported 20 flamingos from Cuba to live in the infield lake. Over the next 40 years, Hialeah was one of the brightest diamonds on the race circuit. Presidents and celebrities alike passed through the turn styles, as Hialeah was the place to see and be seen. Horses such as General Duke, Seabiscuit, Northern Dancer and Citation all trained and raced there through the course of history.
Sagging attendance in the 1990s, however, spelled trouble for the fabled track. In 2001, the track recorded its last thoroughbred race and closed, despite being designated a National Historic Landmark in 1988.
Preservationists, however, were able to keep the track from succumbing to the wrecking ball. After nine seasons in the dark, Hialeah re-opened on November of 2009 to the thrills of racing fans across America. Oh, and the flamingos – they’re still there, too!
The description on the back of the card notes: “The famous flock of flamingos at Hialeah Park is always a center of interest to all visitors. This family was recently increased by sixty-two young birds which were hatched and are being reared by this flock. The scene shows adult birds and their mud and grass nests. Three eggs can be seen.”
Michael Bushnell
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