Quote:
Originally Posted by RUFFIAN
I ONCE CALLED THEM TO ASK
“ WHY IS IT 2 WORDS “
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The Fair Grounds was formally established as a racing venue in 1872, but there had been racing of a sort even prior to that. There are references to thoroughbred races being held at the site as early as 1838. It had gone by the name of the Union Course and the Creole Course during the 1850's. At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, it was a base for Confederate soldiers under the name of Camp Walker. In 1863, the Creole Course was transformed into what was called the "Mechanics and Agricultural Fair Grounds", hence the two words.