In 1890, the Rockdale Riding Park was built off of Lynn Street in South Peabody by Abbott and Reynolds. The stables could hold up to 40 horses. The first race was June 17, 1890.
Essex County Atlas, 1897
The Boston Globe, July 19, 1891
In 1899, the Park was sold to Daniel Brown. The track’s major annual race took place on Memorial Day. At its peak, there were 3 races, attended by thousands of spectators.
The Salem Evening News, Peabody Correspondence, May 31, 1899
Rockdale Park, circa 1905, from The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston.
Rockdale Park, circa 1905, from The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston.
Beyond racing, one of the most popular events at Rockdale was the Firemen’s Muster. Peabody was represented by the Union Vets and Torrents.
The Boston Globe, July 11, 1894
In 1940, the Park was sold for housing developments and St. Ann’s Catholic Parish.
The Boston Globe, October 13, 1941
References
Linnehan, John William and Edward Everett Cogswell. The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston, 1914, pages c – ci.
Wells, John. The Peabody Story, 1972, 358-359.