NORTHVILLIANS,
Northville Downs, which was renovated in 1944, has started its final abbreviated season of harness racing at this facility. Races will take place 1/18, 1/19, 1/26, 1/27, 2/2, and 2/3. For all race dates, 7 PM is the post time. This will complete 113 YEARS of organized racing on the present track.
As the Downs winds down at this historic facility in the Ville, all are invited back to take in that nostalgic atmosphere. Former employees, horsemen & women, fans and patrons are flocking to be part of this history-making conclusion. I invite each and every one of you to enjoy one last trip to the Downs as we say goodbye to Michigan’s pioneer harness racetrack in its 80th and final year.
Let’s take a look at the History of Northville Downs …
On any given evening, as you come into Northville cresting the hill on Sheldon & 7 Mile, you experience Northville Downs, our Historic Gateway into the Community. The lights, movement of the horses and the electrifying atmosphere has been a highlight of the entire county.
BACK BEFORE 1900, the location of what is today Northville Downs was merely wetlands. Early on, the river that runs through it was routed underneath to dry out the land. Stories of the Downs date back to the late 1800’s, when it was a gentleman’s club with a golf course and a racetrack that backed up to town.
AROUND 1900, a local group bought the location and spent a great deal of time filling in the swampy ground and hauling away huge boulders with their horses and wagons. They brought fill dirt in by the ton to form the base of the present track. Before this time, the locals held horse races on a five-block straightaway stretch of Dunlap St., from Center to Rogers, right in between the historic Victorian homes that still line that street. In those early racing days, a group of enthusiasts would gather with the horse owners and jockeys at the Ambler Hotel on Center & Main Street (Great White Buffalo Brewing location today) before & after the races.
IN 1907, the track was finally finished to the group’s expectations at 7 Mile & Sheldon. In 1916 it was decided that a Wayne County Fair should be held in conjunction with the racing activities. This Fair ran for 27 years at Northville Downs and rivaled the State Fair. In 1926, this same group built a new grandstand at the Downs to accommodate the growing crowds.
IT WASN’T UNTIL 1944 that the Carlo Family modernized and invested in this location which previously hosted the County Fair. Mr. John Carlo was one of the folks in this group, and his family has co-owned and managed the track ever since its modern-day inception. John, Ed & Mike Carlo have been 3rd generation operators of the Downs. They pioneered harness “Night Racing” in Northville. Racing under the lights became a reality, and I’m told my grandfather (the electrician in town) played a role in helping to make this happen. In the 1980’s, the Downs were managed by John Carlo’s nephew Lou and his longtime assistant Margaret Zayti.
The Carlo Family through the years experimented with various other types of racing at the Downs that included not only harness racing, but thoroughbreds … and believe it or not, motorcycles, bikes, NASCAR type stock cars, snowmobiles and even go-carts.
Turning to today, plans for thoughtful new development are coming together, and the river will once again be daylighted. We tip our derby to the Carlo Family for all they have done for this community in making the Downs a landmark location for close to 100 years.
Again, you may want to experience the Downs excitement one last time while catching dinner and drinks there. It’s invigorating to watch the parade of drivers navigating their two wheeled chariots (sulkies) as they rush by on the track. I encourage you in the coming weeks to visit this slice of Northville history and sense the visceral energy of the races. The Romans had the Colosseum … Northville has the Downs … I encourage you to visit and place your bet before the end of the day February 3rd.
Keep that Northville Racing Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)
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