Research Frustration

[kac]

If it has been heavily developed then lidar maps may not show much. Another option is either the town hall for records or their local library. Should be some archives there.

HH

[F350Platinum]

I have a legendary horse track near me, and the only way I found it was from verbal historical accounts, and just plain searching. Sadly it was hit before. Aerial  photos dating to the 60s show some things, but current Lidar gives no indication.

I ended up finding places where there were cooking pits, buttons and horse tack, got a lot of stuff there, found two spots with heavy iron and dug lots of stuff there. I even found a couple broken stopwatches in the middle. A few coins were found but the bulk of stuff was probably taken by someone that did not have permission.

[JCR]

You may just have to get on the ground after carefully considering where the period roads were combined with level ground. A typical horse/surrey track would be Quarter mile or Half mile, so 1/8 or 1/4 mile end to end. The turns would have been banked on a better track. These may show up on LiDAR.  So between historical accounts, Historic Aerials, Topographical, LiDAR you should be able to narrow the search.  Concentrations of nails & horse tack items will be in the stable & outbuildings area which would normally be on the Starting Lane at one end. There will also be some evidence of a housing area for the on site workers. The spectator area would be on one of the long sides toward the Start/Finish line end. The view toward the track would not be looking into the Sun.  This is what I have found out researching and hunting a late 19th century Surrey track. Not much in the center of the track oval.

[strick]

This is an easy one just ask Gerry I'm sure he knows of it since he is in your area.

strick 

[dave_e]

I found a late 1800's racetrack in a situation similar to yours.

I used historicmapworks.com and found it on an 1876 map.  I then used google earth to do a semi-transparent image overlay to find the exact location. 

[GB_Amateur]

Local libraries are good repositories of historical info and librarians tend to be very helpful.  And don't be surprised to find there were old newspapers even in small towns -- much bigger deal than today.  Sometimes small towns had more than one!  Libraries will have those on microfiche or maybe even on CD/DVD.

[Lost Scout]

Thanks to everyone for ideas. I may have time later this week to check " the library" in town. Although talking to some of old timers may have better clues.

The town was picked up'd and moved four miles west when the train came in, they weren't willing to come all the way. The race track was probably used just before the turn of century. Then irrigation ditches we're dug and some of the roads were moved.

It's bugging me so I'll keep at it.

[Dug D]

You could try this for old topo that may show something.   https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#10/43.0112/-78.0029

It takes a little work to learn the website, but I have found it really handy. 

 

[F350Platinum]

The easiest one is http://historicaerials.com

They have many topographic maps and aerial photos. You can overlay current roads, and see where the old ones were.

CalTopo has some historical topos and Lidar imagery.

[Flatsix]

digital newspapers for sure, also take a look at street names for example I have a similar situation where I am and sure enough there is a street named Racetrack circle. it's worth a look anyhow.