Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Newmarket Racecourse

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 12, 2020

1. Newmarket Racecourse Marker

Inscription. Newmarket Racecourse, a one-mile oval built just north of here by 1793, was among the foremost tracks in the nation when horse racing was America's most popular sport. Races were significant social events that attracted competitors and spectators from great distances. Champions Sir Archy, Boston, and Planet raced at Newmarket, and prominent horseman William R. Johnson, known as the "Napoleon of the Turf," based his stables here. Many of the track's grooms, exercise riders, jockeys, and trainers were enslaved African Americans. During the Civil War, fighting took place near the racecourse on 18 June 1864 and 25 March 1865. The track declined after the war and ceased to exist by 1903.

Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-125.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.

Location. 37° 14.302′ N, 77° 22.511′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection

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of East Washington Street (Virginia Route 36) and Gibbons Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Maine Heavy Artillery Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lee's Last Offensive (approx. half a mile away); Charge of the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Colquitt’s Salient (approx. half a mile away); Prince George Court House Road (approx. half a mile away); Fort Stedman (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named

East Washington Street (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 12, 2020

2. East Washington Street (facing east)

Fort Stedman (approx. 0.6 miles away); Siege of Petersburg—Lee Strikes Back (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Petersburg, 25 April 1781 (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Hare House Site (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed); Colquitt's Salient (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing); Wasted Valor (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Colquitt’s Salient Trail (was approx. half a mile away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,249 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.