The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-07-10
JEROME PARK.
An Account and Description of the
American Jockey Clubs Grounds In
New York.

1t will be some time before horse
racing in America attracts the attention
or assumes the Importance that it has
done in England. Not yet will the law
rivcrS of the nation IN Congress assem-
bled follow the example of the English
Lords and Commons, and dissolve their
august aSSemb!agc for the purpose of
| Fastening to the race-track on IN Amer
lean Derby day Nevertheless, racing
is fast becoming Il national sport with
us, possessing more interest year by year,
and being more generally attractive to
all classes of pleasure-seckers. In ,JC-
| rome Park we have an embryo EPSON
Downs, ,and although its visitors may be
counted by hundreds when compared to
| the great throngs that accumulate on the
| English race-courseS, it is all the same
n center of fashionable interest, and an
| institution that has done much toward
affording amusement.
Jerome Park was named in honor of
the public-Spirited millionaire who sug-
gested the idea, bought the property,
made the improvements, built the
course, and erected the buildings at his
own expense. This gentlcman-Mr.
Leonard w. Jerome-was always fond
of horses, and his stables were quoted far
and near. In the vicinity of the pleasant
village of West Farms, Westchester
county. nesting in the beautiful Har-
lem valley, he found farm known
thereabouts as Bathgate, the approaches
to which run through singularly TO-
mantle and picturesque country. guarded
by bold bluffs, made beautiful by the
winding river, and bound to the metrop-
oils by the iron bands Of railways, dotted
with trees, and commanding large eX-
panSe of view. Having seen and fancied
it he bought it. and in addition the ad-
Joining two thousand acres that sweep
further up the country, on whose hithcr
boundary lies the Fifth Avenue' Boul-
evard, and along whose side line races
the swift Harlem engine.
The property once secured, Mr.. Jerome
broached to 4 few friends the idea Of cs-
tablishing IN American Jockey Club,
under whose direction annual races
should be held, f)r the proper conduct
and honorable supervision Of which the
club should be held responsible. Very
quietly and with the knowledge of Il
very few people Mr.. Jerome proceeded
with the work. He sent for Mr.. Wheat
ley, well known throughout the country
as Il man of large experience and sound
judgment in horse matters, and with him
prepared design for the course. The
result was such rs might have inspired
experts in the business of landscape gar
dening with envy. 1t is centrally To-
Gated, roads from many points of the
compass tend directly toward it, the cars
steam by it, and teams are driven there
daily from all parts Of the surrounding
country. The course, made expressly
and entirely for running, is novel in de-
sign, and necessarily so on account of
the lay of the land. 1t has long stretch,
with a double curve like an elongated
figure S. 1t lies about Il quarter Of Il
entrance reing on a new avenue, now
made 100 feet in width from the Central
bridge over the Harlem river.
The grand stand is on the east side of
the course, and is $50 feet in length by
forty-fve feet in width. with two tiers
or galleries of seats, and will accommo-
date 5000 persons. 1t is divided into
three sections. the center one of which
is exclusively for the members of the
club and their families; the other Sec
tions are for the public. The front fac
ing the track presents IN open colonnade.
two stories high, supported by orna-
mental iron columns, surmounted by
cornfte and pcdiments on the center and
each end, presenting Il very airy and
unique appearance. The entrance to the
stand is on the east front, and access is
obtained to the galleries by wide, easy
and spacious StaircaseS. On the first
floor are the ticket -oflices and refresh
ment-rooms, containing every convcn-
ience for the comfort of visitors. The
galleries ere fitted up with comfortable
seats, from all Of which perfect view Of
the course and surrounding grounds is
obtained. Immediately opposite the
stand, on the bluff aforementioned, are
the club grounds, on which are the club
house and 6ther buildings for the exclu-
sive use of the members Of the club,
including an observatory some fifty feet
in height, from which Il fine view of the
surrounding country can be obtained.
The stands for judges, timekeeperS and
convenience Of the members of the press.
are in keeping with the style of the grand
stand. At the north of and adjoining
this latter structure is an o,pen stand to
accommodate 2, 500 persons, and also sew
eral private boxes, having perfect view
Of the home-stretch.
Further up the valley, to the north and
in view of the stand, are located the
stables which are built in detached
groups, each stable containing ten stalls
of twelve by sixteen feet each, and sur
rounded by sheds ten feet in width; and
kitchens for the trainers and others.
Adjoining the stables is half-mile en-
crcising track. The course is surround
ed by an open picket fence ten feet high.
The ticket-offices are situated at con-
venient places on the main avenue and
road, affording due facilities to the
public. The clubhouse faces the track,
and is supplemented by large stand,
which affords ample accommodation TO
such of the members rs prefer it. Taken
altogether, the arrangements are most
complete. From the sleeping apart
mcnts for the hostlers and the comforta-
BILE stables for the horses up to the pre-
parations made for the club and the
public, Jerome Park may well challenge
comparison with any of the great race
courses of England and Europe. The
stables are built in the most careful and
substantial manner. They are seven in
number. four being on the northwest
side and three on the north side of the
track. They have been constructed
with due attention to equine comfort and
convenience, and nothing in the way of
improvement has been spared. The
sleeping apartments for the attendants
and grooms are partitioned off from the
stables, and the kitchens are built in be-
tween and at the rear of the main build
ings. The whole has plain but sub
stantial board fence running along its