Shelby once had horse racing track next to railroad
By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian
SHELBY – In this photo from around 1890, we see the railroad crossing at Salt Works Road in the Town of Shelby.
A horse headed south is about to cross the tracks. The board fence in the background encloses a race track. On the 1875 map this area adjacent to New York Central is denoted as: “Medina Driving Park.” It was a place where horse owners living in the village could take their horses for exercise.
The small building behind the fence appears to be a grandstand for people to watch races. Poles along the tracks support telegraph wires. Some of the men in the picture appear to be inspecting the tracks.
