As a guy in mid 20's I simply can't even begin to imagine Maywood being a "happening" place.. I've read about it and seen pictures but actually envisioning traffic congestion @ 6:30 before a 7 o'clock card at Maywood is completely unfathomable.. Must've been a great time to be a harness fan!
Yes my young friend Maywood was indeed once an in place.
Barns on both sides of the road were full of horses.
Of course when I first was at Maywood(early 1960's) the barns were all wood frame barns.
All the area west of the track that is now shopping center was parking lot, and needed.
When the race track was muddy and closed for training we would jog horses in the gravel parking lot were Target is today.
The three race paddock was the building that still stands at the east turn.
The old building that is now offices and the drivers room was the main clubhouse.
The track kitchen was open from dawn till after the races, and always a beehive of activity.
Maywood Park also owned and operated at training track at Elgin, IL. for the overflow of horses.
Maywood also owned and operated a nine horse van that would ship horses to and from Elgin. (At Maywood's expense)
