The original track was a half-mile horse track built by Julian S. Carr for Occoneechee Farms. Over the past 20 years, the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, which is owned and managed by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, has achieved a number of milestones, but the most treasured moment to Crowther was when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, one of only three racing venues on the list (the other two being the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and … The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trails are located at 320 Elizabeth Brady Road in Hillsborough. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail. It was added to the National Historic Register in 2002. Martinsville Speedway is the other. Due to the spread of COVID-19, some points of interest may be closed or have restrictions. Today this unique outdoor site allows for a diverse range of activities and is enjoyed by individual hikers, joggers, and other sports enthusiasts. The 1-mile oval Occoneechee/Orange Speedway was active from 1948-68, attracting the best stock car drivers and thousands of spectators. 7:00AM - Mushrooms grow in … Force Sync. Visit Count On Me NC Get the app Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail Easy. In another year the Speedway trails will also connect with Ayr Mount's "Poets Walk" on the other side of the Eno river (Ayr Mount and Occoneechee Speedway are owned by the same historic … "Residents speak out on Brady bypass options." Add to Trip. Governor Roy Cooper has extended the modified Stay at Home order Four miles of trails takes you along the banks of the Eno River, where you’ll walk around the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. Trail Guide. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail Photo by Julie Jarvis The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (or HOST) is located in Hillsborough, NC and is a 44 acre site that has three miles of walking trails that take you along the banks of the Eno River and lets you view a piece of history. contact lodging establishments directly for their most up-to-date information. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (Hillsborough, North Carolina) It is one of the two tracks remaining from that inaugural season. And today, the Speedway is only one of three race tracks given that historic recognition. It’s the last remaining dirt track from NASCAR’s inaugural 1948 season. There are so many paths to explore along this trail. Top Hikes. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail. Today, the Historic Occoneechee Speedway is maintained by the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust and open to visitors. Trail Guide Best Trails & Photos. Trail Guide Best Trails & Photos. A short time later we parked in the gravel lot of the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail – had they not known where they were going, I would have missed the turn into the lot as it was marked only by a small wooden sign. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST) by Allison • July 2, 2010 • 2 Comments I can guarantee you there will be a spelling mistake in this post with a name like ‘Occoneechee’ to type. This is the name of the Indians who lived in this part of Hillsborough in the 1600s and 1700s. This 44-acre site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002. In the late 1700’s, James Hogg, along with many other families, settled here and farmed the fertile land. Four miles of trail take you along the banks of the … (e.g., visitor center closures), and to Hogg’s 3-home plantation was named Poplar Hill. Old number 72 (topmost image) actually raced at Occoneechee. This 44-acre site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002. December 11, 2017. The trail offers firm footing on a flat walking surface, and the Historic Speedway Group even rebuilt the rest rooms near the grandstand. 15 Photos. Please turn on for a full experience. The News of Orange County. to see a list of businesses – restaurants, lodging, attractions and others – that have completed Four miles of trails takes you along the banks of the Eno River, where you’ll walk around the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. © 2021 Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau. Hike Through A Race Car Boneyard At The Historic 1940s Occoneechee Speedway, A Dirt Nascar Race Track Deep In The Woods In North Carolina You don’t need to be a NASCAR fan to appreciate the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail tucked away inside the James M. Johnson Nature Preserve just outside of Hillsborough, North Carolina. It was later expanded and used by NASCAR. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The speedway trail leads you to an abandoned NASCAR track that was used from 1948-1968. The Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a walking trail through natural and cultural history. This site requires that javascript is enabled. Edit Place; Edit Rating Boost. No access after sunset. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail in Hillsborough is one of those places, and it combines several of my favorite things — history, outdoors and fitness. But if you're looking for a good walk or jog on a level dirt surface, or want to bring your … Be sure to stop and read the park poster board. In fact, the Occoneechee Speedway is the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. The 44-acre property sits on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to the only surviving speedway from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season. The Mountains-To-Sea trail comes through the edge of the (ample) parking area and connects with Hillsborough's River Walk, so you can easily walk downtown if you wish (or visit the speedway from downtown). Turns out that their land made for a great NASCAR speedway. organization, which can be found here. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a 1.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Hillsborough, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. 320 Elizabeth Brady Road Hillsborough, NC 27278, (919) 732-6886 - classicalamericanhomes.org. The Occoneechee Speedway, a 44-acre site on the National Register of Historic Places, once seated up to 5,000 spectators and hosted legendary drivers like Glen “Fireball” Roberts, Richard Petty, Fonty Flock and Junior Johnson during its glory days between 1948 and 1968. Our State. HOST is Historic Occaneechee Speedway Trail. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a 44-acre site on the National Register of Historic Places. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two … Get the app Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail Easy. Best Photos. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST) is located on a site in Hillsborough, NC, whose history dates to the 17th century, when the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation resided here along the banks of the Eno River. The forests surrounding the trail are lush in the summer, and the way the tall pines filter the light gives the trail a peaceful feeling. WRAL-TV. There are usually brochures at the trailhead with maps. The site is now heavily forested in 40 year old pines and sycamores. Today, … Use the trailhead to the right - the one on the left is a vehicle access for HOST officials. Historic Speedway Group. Four miles of trails takes you along the banks of the Eno River, where you’ll walk around the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. The speedway is flat, but for those with mobility issues or strollers, there’s maybe 20 yards of hill to navigate between th In fact, I have been spending a lot of time lately reframing my mindset and thinking about all the things this global pandemic has given me instead of taken from me. In recent years, a volunteer group named the Historic Speedway Group (HSG) worked to help maintain the grounds and preserve the legacy of the Occoneechee-Orange Speedway: a site integral to the histories of NASCAR and Hillsborough. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail Racing vs. More information about local restaurant resources avoiding close contact with others. Trail area surrounding the historic Occoneechee Speedway The map created by people like you! The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a 44-acre site on the National Register of Historic Places. The area surrounding the trail is mostly forested, but … Today it rests on what used to be the pit area, which was perilously close to the cars speeding down the straightaway – with no wall to separate them. The speedway makes a nice 1 mile oval, perfect for little legs! Four miles of trail take you along the banks of the Eno River where you’ll walk around the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. It was later expanded and used by NASCAR. All individuals must stay Mar 29, 2018 - The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a 44-acre site on the National Register of Historic Places. Exploring Hillsborough’s Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST) and the James M. Johnston Nature Preserve are under the care of Classical American Homes Preservation Trust and are located beside the Eno River (opposite from the location of the Ayr Mount historic house). Great easy hike. the Count On Me NC training, as these businesses are making a concerted effort to help keep everyone The original track was a half-mile horse track built by Julian S. Carr for Occoneechee … Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail. Religion: A Brief History of Occoneechee Speedway Kickin' Up Dust At The Orange Speedway Occoneechee Speedway: from Eno River website NASCAR track history at racing-reference.info Occoneechee-Orange Speedway - Magazine (Speedway Spotlite Publications) by Ed Sanseverino (1994) Accessed June 29, 2019 (3) McKay, K. "Best-Kept Secrets in the Triangle: Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail." As a guest, you can take your own pledge, too, to show you're doing your part. He is one of three trail stewards for the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST). for the entire state of North Carolina through Sunday, Feb. 28, at the earliest. (4) "DOT scraps plans for Hillsborough bypass." The Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a walking trail through natural and cultural history. If traveling, individuals are encouraged to check with local The Historic Speedway Group formed in 2006 and began a project to restore buildings on the site and expand the width of the walking trail to more properly showcase the old racing surface. 7:00PM. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. You will pass by the old spectator stands, concession stand, and flag tower. at home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and face masks are still required in public places. safe and healthy. tourism organizations to determine if any limitations are in place Occoneechee Speedway Trail Both the natural poison ivy and the nonnative English ivy had been allowed free rein there for years, reflecting the mingling of natural and human history that makes the trail so interesting. The 1-mile oval Occoneechee/Orange Speedway was active from 1948-68, attracting the best stock car drivers and thousands of spectators. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway is the last remaining dirt speedway from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season. Four miles of trails takes you along the banks of the Eno River, where you’ll walk around the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. This month, Our State Magazine takes you to another "Best Kept Secrets in the Triangle." If you're looking for a moderate to strenuous hike, go to Occoneechee Mountain. specific to North Carolina destinations can be found via their local tourism Occoneechee Speedway, just outside Hillsborough, was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open in 1949. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a 44-acre site on the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway holds the distinction of being the last remaining dirt track from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season, but it could have been much, much more. HOST is a walking trail through natural and cultural history. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST) site now has 44 acres of trails, both along the track itself and in the surrounding woods, which border the Eno River just across from Ayr Mount (the same company owns both properties). Please stay safe and call ahead to get the latest information. About Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail Located near Hillsborough, NC Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open and is the only track remaining from the inaugural 1949 season. Independent. The one-mile, oval speedway was … Today, this unique outdoor site allows for a diverse range of activities and is enjoyed by individual hikers, joggers and other sports enthusiasts. If COVID-19 weren’t a thing, I highly doubt Justin and I would be spending so much time exploring Raleigh’s parks, trails, and greenways. Please use your best judgment if traveling, and practice good hygiene while Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, and read all about the latest happenings around Hillsborough. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail isn't just for racing and history buffs. February 5, 2010 (5) Kastrinsky, Josh. The 1-mile oval Occoneechee/Orange Speedway was active from 1948-68, attracting the best stock car drivers and thousands of spectators. Heads up! The Occoneechee Speedway Trails are located on Elizabeth Brady Road which is found off US Hwy 70 just east of Hillsborough (not the Bypass 70). The original track was a half-mile horse track built by Julian S. Carr for Occoneechee Farms. It's a great place for nature lovers, too. 320 Elizabeth Brady Road, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 USA. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST) is a 3 mi (4.8 km)-trail located on 44 acres (180,000 m 2) at the site of the former Speedway. Beautiful, even in winter. It’s an old racetrack that was in use from 1948-68 and in 2003 was converted to a park with trails. About Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail.