Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Aiken Training Track

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

1. Aiken Training Track Marker

Inscription. (Front)
In 1941 a group including Pete Bostwick, Mrs. Ambrose Clark, and Skiddy von Stade Sr. organized to build the Aiken Training Track (ATT) on 75 acres that included parts of the Post and Mead polo fields. Frank Phelps designed the one mile oval track, which was modeled after Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY. The purpose of constructing the ATT was to have a facility for the training of Thoroughbred race horses. (Continued on other side) (Reverse) (Continued from other side) A unique feature of the ATT is its “Horine” turns (flattened curves). The new design gave a longer straightaway and allowed for easier turns at high speed. The Aiken Trials, which are still held here, began in 1943 as an impromptu event to benefit the American Red Cross War Fund. Six Kentucky Derby, three Belmont Stakes, and nine Preakness winners have trained here.

Erected 2016 by Sponsored by the Aiken County Historical Society. (Marker Number 2 61.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 33° 32.749′ N, 81° 42.661′ W.

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Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is at the intersection of Two Notch Road Southeast and Mead Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Two Notch Road Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 538 Two Notch Rd SE, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta

and in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep 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: Polo in Aiken / Whitney Field (approx. 0.4 miles away); Williams Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Williams House (approx. ¾ mile away); Aiken County Farmers' Market (approx. ¾ mile away); Gaston Livery Stable (approx. 0.8 miles away); Aiken Railroad Depot (approx. 0.9 miles away);

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

2. Aiken Training Track Marker

Whitney Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); Friendship (African) Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

3. Aiken Training Track Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

4. Aiken Training Track Marker

Aiken Training Track image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

5. Aiken Training Track

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 11, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.