Garden City in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hanpsted Plaines
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 27, 2025
1. Hanpsted Plaines Marker
The first formal race meet in the United States took place near here on "Hanpsted Plaines" under the sponsorship of Colonial Governor Nicolls in 1665.
May 14, 1966
For the New York Racing Association, Inc.
George D. Widener, Honorary chairman James Cox Brady, Chairman Edward T. Dickinson, President
H. Allen Mark, Mayor of Garden City
Erected 1965 by New York Racing Association, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Colonial Era • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1665.
Location. 40° 43.549′ N, 73° 38.326′ W. Marker is in Garden City, New York, in Nassau County. It is at the intersection of Stewart Avenue and Hilton Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Stewart Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Garden City NY 11530, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the New York City Metropolitan Area and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Garden City 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dedication (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alexander Turney Stewart
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Newmarket Course (Wikipedia).
Newmarket Course was a horse racing track in what is now Garden City, Nassau County, Long Island, New York. Opened in 1665, it was the first race track to be built in the Province of New York, and it closed in the nineteenth century.(Submitted on October 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
2. N.Y.R.A. Festivities Mark Anniversary at Garden City (The New York Times, May 15, 1966).
In a rare burst of showmanship, the New York Racing Association released 300 "lucky" balloons into the air over Garden City, L. I., yesterday. Obviously, the occasion had to be a rare one: commemoration of the 300th anniversary of organized horse racing in America. The day's festivities began at Garden City, near where Col. Richard Nicolls, the first British Governor of New York, laid out a race course in 1665 on "Hanpsted Plaines." There were proclamations, speeches, the unveiling of a bronze plaque, reading of telegrams from J. Edgar Hoover,(Submitted on October 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)Queen Elizabeth, Governor Rockefeller, Eugene H. Nickerson. Gene Mori and assorted other racing fans.Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 27, 20252. Hanpsted Plaines Marker
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 27, 2025
3. Garden City Horse
A fiberglass horse marks the plaque and the site of the former Newmarket Course.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 27, 2025
4. Garden City's Horse Plaque
The Garden City Hotel
Sponsor
Art Students Garden City High School
Design and Decoration
John Miller & the Albanese Organization
Donors
2003
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
