Horse Racing in Derita

Q.. Horse Racing in Derita? Yes, there was!

Long before we even had dirt roads in the old Charlottetown of the 1770's, young bucks used to gather at the gardens of historic Rosedale on North Tryon Street (between 36th St and Craighead Rd.) Wagers were sometimes made, but more often it was a contest not to see who had the fastest horse, but would could best impress the young ladies in attendance. No formal track, it was usually from the garden to a distant point and then back again, as fast as you can, without losing a rider or injuring your horse. As I said, the roads were little more than dirt trails and not very forgiving.

Friendly competition was not just for the idle rich. Single folks and families who gathered at the Derita Mineral Springs off Neal Road for Sunday afternoon picnics, fiddle & banjo playing, square dancing, and such also say their fair share of competition. Whether it be a surrey race or young men on horseback, most every man took pride in the animals he owned. Even a farm horse might be entered in a load pulling contest.

Through the years, there were horse tracks at the old Southern States Fairgrounds on North Tryon St. A successor track behind NorthPark Mall on Eastway Drive, with several long rows of stables just before you cross the railroad bridge to the Plaza.

But the race track that I was most surprised to hear about --- was the horse track located behind the current Derita Post Office. Mrs. Ona Puckett mentions it in her "History of Derita" and Doris Crittenden had also run across a note or two. I'd love to hear more, if your parents or grandparents have ever mentioned this one. --- Bernie Samonds, deritarep@aol.com