Horse and buggy racing was a popular pastime in late 19th century New York, and with this in mind, the city constructed the Harlem River Speedway, a 3-mile stretch of dirt road from 155th Street to Dyckman Street along the Harlem River.
Opened in 1898, it was a beautiful spot: the river on one side, rocky bluffs on the other, pedestrian lanes for spectators and walkers, and the gorgeous High Bridge in view.
Bicyclists were not permitted on the road back in the day, but that’s changed: The Speedway is now part of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, the city’s spectacular walking and cycling path around the perimeters of Manhattan.
The message on this postcard is sweet: “My dear Mrs. B, how would you like to take a spin in your auto?”
Tags: Harlem River Speedway, High Bridge, Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, the Speedway
Ephemeral New York 
July 6, 2009 at 5:46 am |
[…] Here’s another view of the Speedway. […]
August 15, 2009 at 4:02 am |
[…] out to the pathway, I resumed my southward run, sandwiched between the river and the highway. To my right, Highbridge Park loomed high above a steep, rocky hill. To my left, the Bronx seemed a […]
December 24, 2009 at 4:30 pm |
My Dad, born in 1913, was raised in Manhattan and the Bronx. When he was a Boy Scout back in the mid-1920s, he and other Scouts would go on overnight camping trips under this bridge!
February 17, 2011 at 10:42 pm |
My Great Grandfather was the owner of the Speedway Inn around 1905 to around 1919. It was a famous “Roadhouse” on the Harlem River Speedway which was a bar,restaurant and inn.
If anyone has any knowlege about this place please contact the above e-mail.
Jim
December 28, 2011 at 10:03 pm |
James – what was the name of your great-grandfather? My family lived at the Speedway Inn during that time. Perhaps there is a connection? Email me on joshmonk@yahoo.com.
August 17, 2012 at 3:10 am |
was your great grandfather Michael Seraphine? He was my grandfather’s father on my mother’s side.
November 7, 2012 at 12:41 am
Yes, he was. He was my father’s Grandfather and my dad used to go to the Speedway Inn as a young child. E-mail me. Sorry it took so long to get back to you but I didn’t check this site.
jseraphine@gmail.com
March 26, 2014 at 11:24 pm
Hey, just wondering if you ever saw my e-mail. I’m curious about the connection to Michael Seraphine. This seems to be the guy. My Grandfather was his son -Philip.
March 27, 2014 at 3:10 pm
I didn’t till just now. My Grandfather was Charles Michael Seraphine. My email is shrenlee@charter.net
July 22, 2015 at 5:22 am |
My Grandfather was John F Cockerill and he was vice President of the association. He and Nathan Strauss raced together.