WINTER HORSE RACING ON THE RIVER

During the 1890s, the racing of horse-drawn sleighs on the frozen Red River was an extremely popular entertainment. Nearly every afternoon and evening would find fast horses racing on the mile-long course from about 20th Avenue South (near Gooseberry Park) in Moorhead to 8th Avenue South. After the turn of the century, a ¼ mile track was laid out below the old north bridge, (west of today’s Hjemkomst Center) complete with bleachers on the banks for spectators.