South Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Churchill Downs Finish Line Pole
Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024
1. Churchill Downs Finish Line Pole Marker
Inscription.
Churchill Downs Finish Line Pole. . In use from 1956 to 1985, a total of 30 Kentucky Derby winners were ushered into the Winner's Circle after passing this pole, with Needles (1956) being the first. The finish line pole also was in use for the first leg of three Triple Crown winners: Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed (1978). The historic pole came down once construction began on the Matt Winn Turf Course in 1985., Special thanks to the Remodelers Council of Homebuilders Association of Louisville, Isaac Contracting, PC Building Materials and Highland Roofing for the renovation and reinstallation of the finish line pole., Gift of Churchill Downs, (photo caption) Secretariat winning the Kentucky Derby in 1973 , Photo from Churchill Downs Racetrack.
In use from 1956 to 1985, a total of 30 Kentucky Derby winners were ushered into the Winner's Circle after passing
this pole, with Needles (1956) being the first. The finish line pole also was in use for the first leg of three Triple Crown winners: Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) & Affirmed (1978). The historic pole came down once construction began on the Matt Winn Turf Course in 1985.
Special thanks to the Remodelers Council of Homebuilders Association of Louisville, Isaac Contracting, PC Building
Materials & Highland Roofing for the renovation & reinstallation of the finish line pole.
Gift of Churchill Downs
(photo caption)
Secretariat winning the Kentucky Derby in 1973
Photo from Churchill Downs Racetrack.
Erected by Kentucky Derby Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.
Location. 38° 12.309′ N, 85° 46.252′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in South Louisville. It can be reached from the intersection of Central Avenue and Rodman Street, on the right when traveling east. Access is through the Kentucky Derby Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 704 Central Avenue, Louisville KY 40214, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. 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 and also the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 574 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
