Austin Klar traces how a San Francisco neighborhood was built on the Ingleside Racetrack, which opened in 1895 and closed a decade later. After the 1906 earthquake, the vacant grounds became refugee housing, then were redeveloped as Ingleside Terraces. Urbano Drive still follows the original track's loop.
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Did you know there's a neighborhood in San Francisco that was built on top of an old horse and car racing track? The Pacific Coast Jockey Club opened the Ingleside Racetrack in 1895 by what's now known as Ocean Avenue. It was one of many different gambling halls in what was then a very remote part of San Francisco. Thousands of people traveled to the site when it opened, and it was so popular that the Southern Pacific Railroad built a track right up to the racetrack. Unfortunately, its success was short-lived. It closed after a downturn in popularity in 1905 and subsequently was used to house refugees after the 1906 earthquake and fires. The Urban Realty Development Company later purchased the land and turned it into Ingleside Terraces, one of the city's renowned residence parks. Suburban environments in an otherwise very urban area. And you can still see the remnants of the old track in the neighborhood, with Urbano Drive paved right over the old race loop. Share this with someone who loves the city's history and follow me for more San Francisco real estate.
