Then: Stamford Park Race Track

In 1923, a horse racing track was built in the "outskirts" of Niagara Falls on 185 acres of land west of Montrose Road, south of Woodbine Avenue. Stamford Park had a half-mile oval racetrack, stables for up to 260 horses, and a grandstand that could hold 1200 people. It grew quickly in popularity, and a new one mile long track was built in front of an enlarged grandstand.

In its heyday in 1950, Stamford Park had a restaurant, offices, rooms for track personnel, jockey quarters, a blacksmith shop, a veterinarian, and even its own post office. A "Jones Lightning Eye" camera recorded photo finishes. The American Racing Manual for 1953 described the racetrack as "one of the finest" racetracks operating in Ontario.

After 1953, the property was sold and horse racing was discontinued. Other events, such as stock-car races, took place, but eventually the buildings and grandstands were demolished.

Now: Shopper's Drug Mart

Today, the property has mixed residential and commercial use.

Niagara Falls Public Library. 2017. Niagara Falls - Then & Now: A Photographic Journey Through The Years. Stamford Park Race Track/Shopper's Drug Mart

Niagara Falls Then and Now
A collaborative project
Niagara Falls Museums - Niagara Falls Public Library - Dept. of Geography and Tourism Studies,Brock University.
Original newspaper series by Sherman Zavitz, Official Historian for the City of Niagara Falls from 1994 - 2019.

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