Lakeside in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lakeside Auto Speedway (1907)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 31, 2015

1. Lakeside Auto Speedway (1907) Marker

Inscription. Considered the first purpose-built auto racing facility in the United States when completed, the Lakeside Auto Speedway transformed the nascent motorsports movement by moving races off dangerous public roads and horse racing tracks.

The Speedway was constructed by John H. Gay, owner of the popular Lakeside Inn as a means to improve business and attract more people to his resort. He invested $10,000.00 in the project, which resulted in the construction of a 60 foot wide, 2 mile long high-speed packed clay oval circling Lindo Lake adjacent to the Inn.

Lakeside Auto Speedway opened on the weekend of April 20-21, 1907. As a huge crowds watched, a number of speed records were set during the weekend, culminating with famed race car driver Barney Oldfield setting a new world automotive speed record of 69.49 miles per hour (111.83 km/h) in his peerlees 'Green Dragon' racer.

The speedway continued to attract racers and spectators alike for over a decade until the Lakeside Inn closed and was demolished in 1920.

Erected 2012 by The Lakeside Historical Society by the Ancient and Honorable Society of E Clampus Vitus, John P. Squibob chapter #1853.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles

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• Sports. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1859.

Location. 32° 51.539′ N, 116° 55.303′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, California, in San Diego County. It is on Maine Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9906 Maine Avenue, Lakeside CA 92040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mexican Grant (approx. 2 miles away); KCBQ “Top 40” Personalities (approx. 4.4 miles away); Historic El Cajon Hall (approx. 5 miles away); Amaziah Lord Knox (approx. 5 miles away); Mission Dam and Flume (approx. 7.1 miles away); Old Mission Dam (approx. 7.2 miles away); Providing Year-Round Water (approx. 7.2 miles away); Bancroft Ranch House (approx. 9.1 miles away).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 31, 2015

2. Lakeside Auto Speedway (1907) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,293 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.