Visiting the site where "Thorncliffe Park" once proudly stood. Was our first stop on our travel back in time today. Once we passed the bridge that croses the Donn Valley. We could picture in our mind where this popular racetrack once stood. Thorncliffe Park was located where Millwood Road and Overlea Blvd meet.
The power relay station is still there. Which marked the entrance to Thorncliffe Park. When Thorncliffe Park was closed by the new owners in 1953. The newly formed Ontario Jockey Club sold the land to property developers. The land was turned into a mix of high-rise apartment buildings. The first such development to go up in the City of of Toronto. Just the beginning of too large of a population in Toronto. With too high real estate prices. This is called progress!
Several streets where the racetrack once existed. Uses names that represent the horses that use to race to win. Where people now call home. The names used are; Thorncliffe Park Drive, Grandstand Place, and Milepost Place.
Three famous races that use to be run at Thorncliffe Park. Which are; The Price of Wales, My Dear, and Claredon Stakes Races. Are still a important part of the horse racing scene in Ontario, today.
I did take some pictures of what Thorncliffe Park looks like today. But what an awesome site this racetrack must of been. The horses running in a beautiful scenic area located just outside of Toronto. Overlooking the Donn Valley.
The bottom picture is from the Toronto Archives of the original Throncliffe Park Grandstand.
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