Posted by Terry Bjork Since I don't know if the article will still be online by the time you read this, I'll quote a bit of it. "A 134-year-old horse racing track and possibly one of two historic barns at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds won't be demolished. County officials are being asked to keep the track and paddock, with hopes that one of the West Barns can be restored with private funds. The track could be restored, recycled or partially retained. A report by the state Historic Preservation Office offers officials how best to use or dispose of the four historic structures. Pete Brown, state historic architecture specialist, wrote in his report that the racetrack was the "NASCAR track of its day" when it was built in 1870. The track is "probably the single-most significant feature relating to the history of horseracing in Montana," Brown reported. This spring, 30 to 40 horses trained at the Northwest's longest track. The paddock is at least 70 years old. County Historic Preservation Officer Paul Putz said plans are to demolish the north structure of the West Barns, while hoping a fund-raising effort might save the other." http://www.helenair.com/articles/2004/03/01/helena/a01030104_03.txt
on 3/5/2004, 8:41 am
68.77.7.187
Report from the Helena, MT, Independent Record says efforts are underway to save the historic track. Now if we can just get some racing scheduled there for real.
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