Historic American Buildings Survey No. WA-201 (Longacres Park) Collection, 1992-1993

Overview of the Collection

Photographer
Stamets, John, 1949-
Title
Historic American Buildings Survey No. WA-201 (Longacres Park) Collection
Dates
1992-1993 (inclusive)
Quantity
166 photographic prints (2 boxes) ; 8 x 10 in.
166 negatives ( 1 box) ; 4 x 5 in.
5 negatives ( 1 box) : lithofilm ; 8 x 10 in.
1 v. (1 box)
Collection Number
PH0442
Summary
Historic American Buildings Survey photographic and paper documentation of Longacres racetrack, Renton, Washington by a UW lecturer in photography in the School of Architecture
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The negatives in this collection are not available for viewing.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John Stamets received his B.A. in photography from Yale University, where he studied with documentary photographer Walker Evans. Stamets is a lecturer in photography in the School of Architecture at the University of Washington. He specializes in photographing historic buildings using the HABS and HAER standards.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

In March, 1933, House Bill 59, which legalized a form of racetrack gambling, was passed in Washington. Seattle businessman Vinson Joseph Gottstein lost no time in forming the Washington Jockey Club. The new club needed a racetrack in a hurry, and Longacres Park was built in just 28 days. It opened on August 3, 1933, to a crowd of 11,000.

Longacres was designed by Seattle architect B. Marcus Priteca (famous for his theater designs). Priteca continued to supervise additions to the racetrack facilities into the 1960s, and after his death, his close associate, Richard McCann, was the chief architect for Longacres Park.

Longacres was owned by several generations of the Gottstein-Alhadeff family of Seattle. Joseph Gottstein brought technological innovations to the track and was a strong supporter of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Gottstein's son-in-law, Morris Alhadeff, was involved with the racetrack from the 1950s, and Alhadeff and his sons continued to make additions to the facilities after Gottstein's 1971 death.

In 1990, the Alhadeffs sold Longacres to the Boeing Company. The Emerald Racing Association arranged with Boeing to hold two more seasons of racing at the track. After the final season in 1992, Boeing began redeveloping the site, planning to build offices and other facilities and landscape the park. When these photographs were made in 1992 and 1993, Boeing had just begun its redevelopment of the site.

During its nearly sixty years of existence, Longacres became a racetrack of national renown. National records were set at the course, and many well-known trainers, jockeys, and horses were associated with Longacres. Among the top horses who competed at Longacres were Sparrow Castle, the first horse to win nine Longacres stakes races; Dark Damsel, "the fastest filly ever to run at Longacres"; Turbulator, who set a world record for 6 1/2 furlongs in 1970; and Chinook Pass, voted the nation's top sprinter in 1983. Prestigious trainers included Hall-of-Famer Charlie Whittingham; Ruth Parton (at one time the only licensed woman trainer in the country); Kathy Walsh, Longacres' first award-winning woman trainer; and Ben Harris, who set the record for number of wins in a single season in 1991. Among the record-holding jockeys who competed at Longacres in the early years were Johnny Longden, Eddie Arcaro, Doug Dodson, Ralph Neves, and Joe Baze. Famous jockeys during the Alhadeff years included Vicky Aragon, Gary Stevens, and Gary Baze.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains photographic prints and corresponding negatives, as well as lithofilm negatives of architectural drawings, which document the Longacres racetrack in Renton, Washington. All photographs (except where noted) were made by John Stamets, and the accompanying written historical information was prepared by Florence K. Lentz.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format

Photographic prints made from the negative originals are available for reference purposes.

Restrictions on Use

HABS No. WA-201 is a government document and is under no copyright restrictions.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Boeing Company, 1994.

Processing Note

Processed by Shannon Lynch, 2003.

Bibliography

David Grant Best, Portrait of a Racetrack: A Behind the Scenes Look at a Racetrack Community (Redmond, Wash.: Best Editions, 1992.

Related Materials

Photograph Collection 346: Historic American Buildings Survey No. WA-197 (Fox Theatre); photographs by John Stamets.

Photograph Collection 554: Northwest Buildings Survey No. WA-001 (Fred Nelson Barn/Old Riverview Farms Dairy Barn); photographs by John Stamets according to Historic American Buildings Survey standards.

Photograph Collection 618: Medical Arts Building; photographs by John Stamets according to Historic American Buildings Survey standards.

Photograph Collection 623: Historic American Buildings Survey No. WA-213 (Henry Art Gallery); photographs by John Stamets.

Photograph Collection 627: Historic American Engineering Record No. WA-24 (Skagit River and Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Projects); photographs by Jet Lowe.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Longacres ParkReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/1 1
Aerial plan view of Longacres in 1936 (WA-201-1)
Walker and Associates, Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
1/1 2
Aerial plan view of Longacres in January, 1991 (WA-201-2)
Nies Mapping Group, Bellevue, Wash. (photographer)
1/1 3
West entrance road and railroad trestle (WA-201-3)
May, 1993
1/1 4
Road and west side of grandstands and adjacent building, including second grandstand, original grandstand, and mezzanine addition to clubhouse (WA-201-4)
Also pictured: catering and administrative offices.
May, 1993
1/1 5
View looking northwest, showing major buildings on grandstand side of track (WA-201-5)
Left to right: Paddock Club, clubhouse, original grandstand, second grandstand, north grandstand.
Aug., 1993
1/1 6
View of track, to north on grandstand side (WA-201-6)
Left to right: Paddock Club, clubhouse addition, original, second, and north grandstands.
July, 1993
1/1 7
View of track, to south on grandstand side (WA-201-7)
On right is south part of second grandstand, followed by original grandstand, clubhouse, and Paddock Club.
May, 1993
1/1 8 Aug., 1993
1/1 9
Winner's Circle, finish line, viewed from roof (WA-201-9)
July, 1993
1/1 10
Track infield, viewed from roof (WA-201-10)
Forms part of panorama with photos 11 and 12.
July, 1993
1/2 11
Track infield, viewed from roof (WA-201-11)
Forms part of panorama with photos 10 and 12.
July, 1993
1/2 12
Track infield, viewed from roof (WA-201-12)
Forms part of panorama with photos 10 and 11.
July, 1993
1/2 13
Infield road in southwest part of infield: "7/8 Mile" observation tower, Jockey Building (WA-201-13)
May, 1993
1/2 14
"7/8 Mile" observation tower (southwest corner of track) (WA-201-14)
Aug., 1993
1/2 15
"3/8 Mile" observation tower (NE corner of track) (WA-201-15)
Sept., 1992
1/2 16 Sept., 1992
1/2 17
North tote board from north grandstand (WA-201-17)
May, 1993
1/2 18
Detail of railing (WA-201-18)
Sept., 1992
1/2 19
Training track (east of barn) (WA-201-19)
Mar., 1993
1/2 20
Lombardy poplars in parking lot (WA-201-20)
Aug., 1993

Original GrandstandReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/3 21
West side viewed in perspective from parking lot, administrative offices building (WA-201-1-1)
May, 1993
1/3 22
Detail of dormer and roof on southwest side (WA-201-1-2)
July, 1993
1/3 23
Elevation view of south side, at roof level (WA-201-1-3)
July, 1993
1/3 24
Elevation view of east side, from infield (WA-201-1-4)
May, 1993
1/3 25 June, 1992
1/3 26
Northeast corner (WA-201-1-6)
Sept., 1992
1/3 27
Benches on apron in front of grandstand (WA-201-1-7)
Sept., 1992
1/3 28
Benches on apron and south part of grandstand, viewed in perspective from track rail (WA-201-1-8)
Sept., 1992
1/3 29 July, 1993
1/3 30
Grandstand seating and media center booth (WA-201-1-10)
May, 1993
1/4 31
Aisle in lower part of grandstand, clubhouse and north addition (in distance) (WA-201-1-11)
Sept., 1992
1/4 32
Southwest corner of seating in grandstand, TV center booth, reserved seating (WA-201-1-12)
May, 1993
1/4 33
Reserved seating in southwest part of grandstand (WA-201-1-13)
May, 1993
1/4 34 Sept., 1992
1/4 35
Interior: south wall and stairs (WA-201-1-15)
Sept., 1992
1/4 36
Interior: middle segment of "Main Line" betting room (WA-201-1-16)
Sept., 1992
1/4 37
Interior: west segment and betting windows on "Main Line" (WA-201-1-17)
Sept., 1992
1/4 38
Interior: midsection view of "Main Line" betting room (WA-201-1-18)
Sept., 1992
1/4 39
Interior: elevation view of north wall (WA-201-1-19)
Apr., 1993
1/4 40 Sept., 1992

ClubhouseReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/5 41
East side of original clubhouse and additions, viewed in elevation (WA-201-2-1)
July, 1993
1/5 42
Original section, viewed in perspective from winner's circle (WA-201-2-2)
May, 1993
1/5 43
Southwest corner of south addition (WA-201-2-3)
June, 1992
1/5 44
Roof, viewed from grandstand roof (WA-201-2-4)
July, 1993
1/5 45
Roof showing original slope of west side (WA-201-2-5)
July, 1993
1/5 46
West addition to clubhouse (including mezzanines), northwest side viewed in perspective (WA-201-2-6)
May, 1993
1/5 47
North addition to clubhouse, elevation view of west side (WA-201-2-7)
May, 1993
1/5 48
Ticket booths at west side (WA-201-2-8)
July, 1993
1/5 49-50 July, 1993
1/6 51
Detail of light fixture in original clubhouse bar (WA-201-2-11)
July, 1993
1/6 52
Stairwell at south side (WA-201-2-12)
July, 1993
1/6 53
Enclosed porch at lower level (WA-201-2-13)
July, 1993
1/6 54
Enclosed porch at upper level (WA-201-2-14)
July, 1993
1/6 55
Interior of north cupola, atop clubhouse (WA-201-2-15)
Aug., 1993
1/6 56
Silks Dining Room in lower level of south addition to clubhouse (WA-201-2-16)
July, 1993
1/6 57
Interior of upper level (Turf Club level) of south and west additions (WA-201-2-17)
July, 1993
1/6 58 July, 1993
1/6 59
Lower mezzanine betting area (WA-201-2-19)
July, 1993

Jockey BuildingReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/7 60
East side of building, viewed from track, with Paddock Club on right (WA-201-3-1)
May, 1993
1/7 61
Jockey Building and Paddock Club, southeast corner (WA-201-3-2)
May, 1993
1/7 62
West side and southwest corner viewed in perspective (WA-201-3-3)
May, 1993
1/7 63
Rooftop of building, storage of racetrack mile posts (WA-201-3-4)
May, 1993
1/7 64
Jockey locker room (WA-201-3-5)
May, 1993
1/7 65 May, 1993

Paddock ClubReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/8 66
East side (between Jockey Building and clubhouse addition) (WA-201-4-1)
May, 1993
1/8 67
West side and parking lot (WA-201-4-2)
May, 1993
1/8 68
Paddock, path, and hedge on east side (WA-201-4-3)
Aug., 1993
1/8 69
Paddock and path on north side (WA-201-4-4)
Aug., 1993
1/8 70
Paddock horse stalls on south wall (WA-201-4-5)
Aug., 1993
1/8 71
Interior of Paddock Club on lower level, column with sculptural relief by artist Susan Pascal (WA-201-4-6)
July, 1993
1/8 72
Interior of Paddock Club on upper level (WA-201-4-7)
July, 1993

Second GrandstandReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/9 73
West side and northwest corner viewed in perspective from parking lot, catering offices building (WA-201-5-1)
May, 1993
1/9 74
East side (with north grandstand on right) (WA-201-5-2)
June, 1993
1/9 75
Perspective from benches on apron (WA-201-5-3)
Sept., 1992
1/9 76
Elevation view of south end (WA-201-5-4)
Sept., 1992
1/9 77
Interior view of betting line area (WA-201-5-5)
Sept., 1992
1/9 78
Interior view of east section of betting area (WA-201-5-6)
Sept., 1992
1/9 79
Behind the line of betting windows in second grandstand (WA-201-5-7)
July, 1993
1/9 80
Interior view of north section, doors to pavilion lounge (WA-201-5-8)
June, 1993
1/9 81
Interior of pavilion lounge at north end of second grandstand, bar and chandelier (WA-201-5-9)
May, 1993

North GrandstandReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/10 82
East side, viewed from infield, gazebo (WA-201-6-1)
June, 1993
1/10 83
Seating and view of track (WA-201-6-2)
May, 1993
1/10 84
Southwest corner viewed from parking lot, catering office (WA-201-6-3)
June, 1993
1/10 85
Entrance on west side (WA-201-6-4)
July, 1993
1/10 86 May, 1993
1/10 87
Gazebo ceiling (WA-201-6-6)
May, 1993
1/10 88
Turbulator room in north grandstand (WA-201-6-7)
May, 1993
1/10 89
Turbulator room, cocktail lounge area (WA-201-6-8)
May, 1993

Carpenters' ShopReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/11 90
Carpenters' shop, northeast corner (WA-201-7-1)
July, 1993

Mechanics' ShopReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/12 91
Mechanics' shop, northeast corner (WA-201-8-1)
July, 1993
1/12 92
Mechanics' shop, southeast corner (WA-201-8-2)
July, 1993
1/12 93
Interior of mechanics' shop (WA-201-8-3)
Aug., 1993

Starting Gate ShedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/13 94 May, 1993

Gottstein CottageReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/14 95
Gottstein Cottage in track infield, behind main tote board (WA-201-10-1)
June, 1993
1/14 96
Northeast corner of cottage, swimming pool (WA-201-10-2)
Aug., 1993
1/14 97
Interior of main room in cottage (WA-201-10-3)
July, 1993

North Barn AreaReturn to Top

Includes photographs of barns, blacksmith shop, racing secretary's office, and Backstretch Café.

Container(s) Description Dates
Barn L
Box/Folder item
1/15 98
Willow tree and Canadian Row, barns J, K, L (WA-201-11-1)
Sept., 1992
1/15 99
Canadian Row with barn M in foreground, barn L (WA-201-11-2)
Sept., 1992
1/15 100
Barn L (WA-201-11-3)
Sept., 1992
1/15 101
Barn L shedrow (WA-201-11-4)
Sept., 1992
Barn K
Box/Folder item
1/15 102
Back of barn K (WA-201-12-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 41
Box/Folder item
1/15 103
West side (WA-201-13-1)
Forms part of panorama with photo 104.
Sept., 1992
1/15 104
North side (WA-201-13-2)
Forms part of panorama with photo 103.
Sept., 1992
Barn 40
Box/Folder item
1/15 105
Barn 40 (WA-201-14-1)
Sept., 1992
1/15 106
Interior of horse stall (WA-201-14-2)
Sept., 1992
Barn F
Box/Folder item
1/15 107
Barn F, horsewalker (WA-201-15-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn E
Box/Folder item
1/16 108
Barn E, northeast corner of park (WA-201-16-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 37
Box/Folder item
1/16 109
Barn 37 (center), barn C (right), Boeing Customer Services Training Center under construction (WA-201-17-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 36
Box/Folder item
1/16 110
Streetscape with barn 36 in foreground (WA-201-18-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 33
Box/Folder item
1/16 111
Barn 33 (WA-201-19-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 31
Box/Folder item
1/16 112 Sept., 1992
1/16 113
Barn 31, east side (WA-201-20-2)
Sept., 1992
1/16 114
Horsewalker, between barns 31 and 28 (WA-201-20-3)
Sept., 1992
Barn 34
Box/Folder item
1/16 115
Northwest corner (WA-201-21-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 35
Box/Folder item
1/16 116
Northeast corner (WA-201-22-1)
Sept., 1992
1/16 117
Interior of east end (WA-201-22-2)
Sept., 1992
Barn 25
Box/Folder item
1/17 118
West side (WA-201-23-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 24
Box/Folder item
1/17 119
West side (WA-201-24-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 20
Box/Folder item
1/17 120
Southwest corner (WA-201-25-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 17
Box/Folder item
1/17 121
West side (WA-201-26-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 16
Box/Folder item
1/17 122
Streetscape with west side of barn in foreground, racing secretary's office (WA-201-27-1)
Sept., 1992
1/17 123 Sept., 1992
Barn 12
Box/Folder item
1/17 124
Northwest corner (WA-201-28-1)
Sept., 1992
Barn 7
Box/Folder item
1/17 125
Shedrow and lattice on south side (WA-201-29-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 6
Box/Folder item
1/17 126
Interior view of straw shed, northwest corner (WA-201-30-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 3
Box/Folder item
1/18 127
Northwest corner (WA-201-31-1)
Mar., 1993
1/18 128
Interior passageway at west end (WA-201-31-2)
Mar., 1993
Receiving Barn (Barn 2)
Box/Folder item
1/18 129
Southwest corner and fenced open area (WA-201-32-1)
Mar., 1993
Testing Barn (Barn 1)
Box/Folder item
1/18 130
North side (WA-201-33-1)
Sept., 1992
1/18 131
Northeast corner (WA-201-33-2)
Sept., 1992
Association Barn
Box/Folder item
1/18 132
North end (WA-201-34-1)
Sept., 1992
1/18 133
Shedrow on east side (WA-201-34-2)
Sept., 1992
Racing Secretary's Office
Box/Folder item
2/1 134
Southeast corner (WA-201-35-1)
Mar., 1993
2/1 135
Northeast corner (WA-201-35-2)
Sept., 1992
2/1 136
West side (WA-201-35-3)
Sept., 1992
Backstretch Café
Box/Folder item
2/1 137
North side (WA-201-36-1)
Mar., 1993
2/1 138
The Guinea Stand and track, west side of café (WA-201-36-2)
May, 1993
2/1 139
Detail of Guinea Stand (WA-201-36-3)
Mar., 1993
Identifier's Stand
Box/Folder item
2/1 140
Identifier's stand at "The Gap" (WA-201-37-1)
Sept., 1992
Blacksmith Shop
Box/Folder item
2/1 141
Blacksmith shop at north end of park, southeast corner (WA-201-38-1)
Sept., 1992

Middle Barn AreaReturn to Top

Includes photographs of barns and veterinary clinic.

Container(s) Description Dates
Barn 2B
Box/Folder item
2/2 142
West side (WA-201-39-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 4A
Box/Folder item
2/2 143
Pony stall at end of south shedrow (WA-201-40-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 5A
Box/Folder item
2/2 144
Northeast corner (WA-201-41-1)
Mar., 1993
2/2 145
Shedrow on north side (WA-201-41-2)
Mar., 1993
Barn 5B
Box/Folder item
2/2 146
Barn 5B (WA-201-42-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 6A
Box/Folder item
2/2 147
Detail of midsection showing horse-gnawed fence (WA-201-43-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 7A
Box/Folder item
2/2 148
East side with hedge (WA-201-44-1)
Mar., 1993
2/2 149
Interior view at east end (WA-201-44-2)
Mar., 1993
2/2 150-151
Shedrow on south side (WA-201-44-3, WA-201-44-4)
Mar., 1993
Barn 7B
Box/Folder item
2/3 152
Streetscape and road at east of barns, barn 7B in foreground (WA-201-45-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 8A
Box/Folder item
2/3 153
South side (WA-201-46-1)
Mar., 1993
2/3 154
West end (WA-201-46-2)
Mar., 1993
2/3 155
Pony stall in southwest corner (WA-201-46-3)
Mar., 1993
Barn 9A
Box/Folder item
2/3 156
Shedrow on west side (WA-201-47-1)
Mar., 1993
2/3 157
Stalls on east side (WA-201-47-2)
Mar., 1993
Barn 9B
Box/Folder item
2/3 158
Barn and central road (WA-201-48-1)
Mar., 1993
Barn 10A
Box/Folder item
2/3 159
Perspective view (WA-201-49-1)
Mar., 1993
Veterinary Clinic
Box/Folder item
2/3 160
Northeast corner (WA-201-50-1)
Mar., 1993

South Barn AreaReturn to Top

Includes Washington Thoroughbred Breeding Association barns and sales pavilion.

Container(s) Description Dates
Barn C of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association (WTBA)
Box/Folder item
2/4 161
Southeast corner (WA-201-51-1)
Apr., 1993
2/4 162
View from horse stall (WA-201-51-2)
Apr., 1993
WTBA Barn D
Box/Folder item
2/4 163
Barn D of WTBA, northwest corner (WA-201-52-1)
Apr., 1993
2/4 164
Shedrow on east side of barn (WA-201-52-2)
Apr., 1993
WTBA Offices/Sales Pavilion
Box/Folder item
2/4 165
Headquarters and sales pavilion of the WTBA (WA-201-53-1)
Apr., 1993
2/4 166
Auditorium for horse sales (WA-201-53-2)
Aug., 1993

Longacres Plans and ElevationsReturn to Top

All items are lithofilm negatives of historic drawings by architect B. Marcus Priteca.

Container(s) Description
Box/Folder item
4/1 167
Block plan showing wing additions (WA-201-21)
4/2 168
Racecourse (site plan) (WA-201-22)
4/3 169
Grandstand (west and south elevations) (WA-201-1-21)
4/4 170
Grandstand (balcony plan) (WA-201-1-22)
4/5 171
Clubhouse (first and second floor plans, front elevation) (WA-201-2-20)

Paper DocumentationReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
5
Historic American Buildings Survey: Longacres Park (HABS No. WA-201)
Lentz, Florence K., 1949- (author)
The written report contains historical background information regarding Longacres and its owners, as well as a detailed inventory of the photographs. Photocopies of the photographs are included in the report.
Sept. 7, 1993

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Historic buildings--Washington (State)--Renton--Photographs
  • Horse racing--Washington (State)--Renton--History
  • Racetracks (Horse racing)--Washington (State)--Renton--History
  • Racetracks (Horse racing)--Washington (State)--Renton--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Priteca, B. Marcus (Bernard Marcus)
  • Stamets, John, 1949-

Corporate Names

  • Longacres Park (Renton, Wash.)--History
  • Longacres Park (Renton, Wash.)--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Renton (Wash.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Architectural drawings
  • Architectural photographs

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Lentz, Florence K., 1949- (author)
    Corporate Names
    • Historic American Buildings Survey

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)