Islip in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Willow Brook

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2017

1. Willow Brook Marker

Inscription.
Race track (1907-1915)
W H Moffitt, pres. dev.
for $40,000. 'Finest (horse)
track in Suffolk County'
Entrance Maddox Ave.

Erected by Historical Society of Islip Hamlet.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Sports.

Location. 40° 44.079′ N, 73° 13.143′ W. Marker is in Islip, New York, in Suffolk County. Marker is at the intersection of Moffitt Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Moffitt Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Islip NY 11751, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Town Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Schools (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Early Schools (approx. 0.4 miles away); Methodist Church (approx. half a mile away); Presbyterian Church (approx. half a mile away); Islip Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Third Town Hall (approx. half a mile away); Islip September 11 Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Islip.

Also see . . . Willow Brook Race Track (Historical Society of Islip Hamlet). Opening day saw six thousand
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loyal patrons crowd the grandstand of Willow Brook Race Track on opening day, July 4, 1907. The South Side Signal reported, "The track was said to be in very fine condition for a new course and good time was made. The nearest to an accident occurred when a toy balloon set fire to the roof of the grandstand, but an adequate supply of water enabled workmen to quickly extinguish the flames." The paper noted that addition, despite brisk business at the bar, "there was an entire absence of even boisterous conduct.".... Summarizing the first season it was stated, "The track has seen a success from the full of the flag in the first race on July 4, when it was opened to the public before an assemblage of 8,000 persons. Horsemen from New York, New Jersey and the New England states were present and their favorable comment on the excellent construction of the track and the first class accommodations provided in the modern stables attracted larger entry lists as the season advanced." Moffitt who was president of the now 100 member Willow Brook Driving Association noted that in building the track, " … was actuated principally by the desire to provide an opportunity for the permanent residents and summer colonists of the South Shore to enjoy clean sport." Moffitt spent according to this article $40,000 and intended by the next season to spend another $20,000. It should also be noted that Moffitt
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2017

2. Willow Brook Marker - Wide View
had made arrangements with the Long Island Rail Road to have special train service after the races each day owing to the large attendance from Riverhead to Brooklyn. (Submitted on December 4, 2017.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 288 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.