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No Ostriches
Aug. 4th, 2014 05:10 pmHidden behind WBZ's headquarters in Allston is a small alley called "Speedway Ave". Many years ago, I heard a story that it got its name because of ostrich racing. It turns out the rumor was half right. Where Soldiers Field Road is now, there used to be a race track for horses and bicycles called the Charles River Speedway
http://www.bahistory.org/TrottingParks.html
In the 1800s there used to be horse racing along what is now called Commonwealth Ave, but eventually there was too much traffic, so Frederick Law Olmsted's company was hired to design a race track for horses (and sulkies) and bicycles along the river in Allston. It ran from where the Arsenal St bridge is now (where Western Ave ends) to where the the Eliot bridge now is.
I would not be surprised if there actually were the occasional ostrich race back then. But it looks like it was mostly used for horses.
http://www.bahistory.org/TrottingParks.html
In the 1800s there used to be horse racing along what is now called Commonwealth Ave, but eventually there was too much traffic, so Frederick Law Olmsted's company was hired to design a race track for horses (and sulkies) and bicycles along the river in Allston. It ran from where the Arsenal St bridge is now (where Western Ave ends) to where the the Eliot bridge now is.
I would not be surprised if there actually were the occasional ostrich race back then. But it looks like it was mostly used for horses.
