Horses Compete in Herring Run Park
The 75-acre Herring Run Racetrack featured harness racing in lower Herring Run Park.

The most popular spectator sport in the United States in the 19th century was horse racing - with harness racing getting much of the attention. Harness racing featured a driver sitting in a small cart, or sulky, pulled by a trotting horse. It wasn’t the safest way to get around a track...dramatic spills were part of the spectacle!

Built in 1867 by fox hunter and avid horse rider John Ridgely, fifth owner of the famed Hampton mansion, the Herring Run Racetrack was located near Philadelphia Road. In 1877, the track was sold to David E. Bishop and became Bishop’s Driving Park.

A few men with good horses organized the East Baltimore Driving Club in 1891 and acquired the Herring Run track. They were not wealthy men, but they were careful to scrutinize all membership applications to ensure a level of respectability and standards. With a membership of 174, the club was unique as it could maintain interest throughout the season with good harness racing despite not offering purses, betting or charging admission.

The East Baltimore Driving Club built a new stable, sheds and made other improvements after their first year at the track. The track was on sandy soil which absorbed water and dried so quickly that a few hours after a hard rain, the footing became first class. The track was so popular that it contributed to the improvement of the Philadelphia Turnpike, from Baltimore City out to the track and even 10 miles beyond. Oyster shells were a common paving material during the time and made access to the Herring Run track easier.

​Harness racing was held every Friday. The contests were arranged on the grounds just before the race began. On June 15, 1895, the Baltimore Sun reported that the East Baltimore Driving Club gave “the most interesting race matinee of its career at the Herring Run track. There was a large attendance and the racing was good”. In 1899, the 75-acre track was sold to the Chesapeake Electric and Water Company who planned to build a reservoir to supply water to Highlandtown and Canton.

​Sources: 
 “Nellie O’Neil makes a new record for Herring Run Course” (August 24, 1895). Baltimore Sun 
 “East Baltimore Driving Club is longing for the turf” (March 18, 1899). Baltimore Sun. 
 “Old Herring Run Track sold” (April 6, 1899). Baltimore Sun.