Sportsman's Hill / Whitley House - 1785
Sportsman Hill
Site of one of the earliest circular racetracks. Crowd gathered within the half-mile track, able to see entire race. Built about 1780 by Col. Wm. Whitley, owner of estate. A fervent patriot, he built track to contrast with the British ones, using clay instead of turf and running races counter-clockwise instead of clockwise. Racing here ended with the Civil War.
Whitley House - 1785
Located on the Wilderness Road, it was the first brick house in Ky. Situated so that racetrack was visible from it. Meetings held in fall, bringing elite of region here. After races, which started at dawn, lavish breakfast was served. Whitley, born Va, 1749. Famed Indian fighter; killed, Battle of the Thames, Canada, 1813. Whitley County, Ky., named for him.
Erected 1966 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 982.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.
Location. 37° 28.117′ N, 84° 32.95′ W. Marker is near Crab Orchard, Kentucky, in Lincoln County. Marker can be reached from William Whitley Road. Marker is located in the parking lot of the William Whitley House State Historic
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sportsman Hill (here, next to this marker); Beginning of Horse Racing in Kentucky (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Celebration (about 500 feet away); A Little Bit to Eat at the Race (about 700 feet away); The Legacy of Sportsman’s Hill at Crab Orchard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where Racing Turned Around (approx. 0.2 miles away); A View from Sportsman’s Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Sportsman's Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crab Orchard.
Also see . . . William Whitley. (Submitted on May 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 9, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
