Thank you for documenting such interesting video of our beloved & historic racetrack. So many amazing people & beautiful horses graced these grounds for 99 years. Your video captures the final haunting moments, the end of what was once a Grand Facility, as it takes its last breath. Today the Grandstand, Clubhouse, and the Administrative Office Building are all gone. Not a trace remains of them. You would never even know it existed if not for some cherished memories of those who have been there...and your video.
I worked mutuel windows at Buelah in 1979.Most enjoyable experience .A rainy Sunday or two,particularly after an O.S.U.win.I realize slots have been a boom but there still has to be an imput to save the horse industry by encouraging slot players to get some " bang for their bucks by learning the fun of horse racing.
I miss monday's and Tuesday's at Beulah park the most. they had a lot of money in the pools. there was only 3 or 4 other tracks running. ..I miss the food and beer there. And of course the twins so beautiful.
So very sad I spent my entire childhood growing up there. My Dad was a trainer. I can't believe a place that was once so full of life and held so many wonderful memories is now a Ghost town. I will never forget this place
My dorm room was the last dorm room on the south side right across from the recieving barn i remeber it being -15 degrees and still went to work good memories there
Sad.I remember 1960s.You couldnt buy a seat.Technology has ruined everything.Are we happy?I miss going places with history.Great video,almost want to cry.But world needs more buildings and offices that eventually lay vacant.Someday humans will realize that between 1955 and 1970 things were as good as it gets.
Thanks so much for making this video. Started going there with my Dad in the late 60's and continued right up until they shut down so watching this was both sad and a treat!! Use to schedule my classes at OSU back in the 80's so that I could get done in time to make it for the first post. I even recall the days of going there when it was called Darby Downs. Got me thinking , what a great idea it would be to do the same at the old Cooper Stadium.
I'm glad you liked the video! the Cooper Stadium idea is excellent. I haven't been there in quite a while, but I will definitely check in to it. Thanks for the idea!
I only got to see this track just after it closed. I was visiting to go to the harness races at Scioto Downs. I could only see what was there from one of the old entrance gates to the parking lot. You could see it was an old historic track. But with the coming of casinos at both Scioto and Penn Nationals free standing casino it just did not make sense to keep the old track alive. At least the state did not loose the racing totally it just was moved to near Youngstown with a brand new race track and casino complex.
Thanks for sharing this, surprised the security company let you in, been wondering how things have been aging (what I can't see from the street since I live here on Grant). As much as I loved the place (worked there for 12yrs), I'm ready for them to start moving on it's future, since original plans for the development have so many callbacks to it's history.
yw, as Beulah's IT Director I still keep an eye out for stuff (and still have control over some things social-wise), and your vid blew up in the Beulah Park family circles today :)
One of my customer's father robbed that place back in the day and got away with it. I asked him how he got away with it before he passed away and he said "Because I did it by myself and I didn't use a gun, walked in like I owned the place and walked out with what I went for, simple" Way before cameras and hi tech.
+Amberlynn Cooper During the early days after it closed, after they had their auction the indoor paddock was taken down to the concrete wall construction :/ can see it from my front porch.
My father Glen E. Broersma, American Tote provided parimutuels for Beulah Park and Scioto Downs for many years. Palm Beach Jai Alai in Mangonia Park, Florida off Season. I lived in Grove City 1972-1983. Summer's in Ohio 1975-winters in Florida. My first REAL job was a money runner at Beulah I was 18, from the mezzanine to main money room lol, I was skinny as a rail. Then I worked a 2 dollar Quinela window. Art Schleister bet with me a lot, I used to say STOP, he bet like a rookie. I think of Dickie Myers, and Perry Ouutz?, the crowd would yell Ouutz, Ouutz he had a streak. One year I went to Lake Charles, Louisiana and worked at Delta Downs, that was wild! From 1983 to 1990 I was at PaIm Beach Kennel Club, tote was all at one machine, They've expanded to a very successful Poker Club. There is current discussion on closing the dog track, it's coming, Just like Beulah only a matter of time. The building will stay, the track a Garden? Nah more Poker. A bygone Era I believe, sigh, I met many wonderful friends and remember it as a very sweet, charming time in life. My first view, I could only cry. Very moving, bitter sweet, Thank you.
Lynn, thank you for commenting. I didn't spend nearly as much time at the track as you did, but still have really good memories of it. it really was a special place for so many people. Again, thanks for sharing your story.
+Lynne Fairchild Perry Ouzt is still riding at Belterra Park [ the old River Downs ] and at Turfway Park even getting an occasional mount at Churchill. Looks great for his age and still brings home a lot of winners. I grew up going to Beulah . I moved to Fl and am now a mutuels teller at The Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room
Excellent visuals. Great shots but too many fades, needs couple more long flight shots, imho. but whadoo i know? i'm no spielberg. (but my surrogate mom was a cathode ray tube. ;) craig R&R brought me here. Almost committed harikari due to the music. My condolences to those who have fond memories from Beulah, as I only visited once. oh yeah...... bet my money on a bob tail nag, somebody bet on the bay
I really appreciate your critique! Sometimes we are at the whim of the footage... I basically didn't have a plan or music for the footage when I was was shooting. In the future, my thought is to have more of an understanding of what I am trying to accomplish before I shoot, as well as already have my music picked. For instance, my goal here should have been to have someone actually commit harikari! HAHA! Again, thank you for your thoughts!
+Kaylynn Spencer Penn National Gaming bought Beulah, viewed it as direct competition to their Casino a few miles away so wanted it gone, built a new track in Youngstown (Mahoning Valley) and moved the racing license there.
for who ever is getting up in years theses track closing [golden gate and aqueduct next 2 ] are a piece of your life taken away
Loved going out to the track i miss those day's so sad to see it gone , but will keep all the good memories!!
Thank you for documenting such interesting video of our beloved & historic racetrack. So many amazing people & beautiful horses graced these grounds for 99 years. Your video captures the final haunting moments, the end of what was once a Grand Facility, as it takes its last breath. Today the Grandstand, Clubhouse, and the Administrative Office Building are all gone. Not a trace remains of them. You would never even know it existed if not for some cherished memories of those who have been there...and your video.
Thank you, Leona, for commenting so thoughtfully...
I worked mutuel windows at Buelah in 1979.Most enjoyable experience .A rainy Sunday or two,particularly after an O.S.U.win.I realize slots have been a boom but there still has to be an imput to save the horse industry by encouraging slot players to get some " bang for their bucks by learning the fun of horse racing.
I miss monday's and Tuesday's at Beulah park the most.
they had a lot of money in the pools.
there was only 3 or 4 other tracks running.
..I miss the food and beer there.
And of course the twins
so beautiful.
So very sad I spent my entire childhood growing up there. My Dad was a trainer. I can't believe a place that was once so full of life and held so many wonderful memories is now a Ghost town. I will never forget this place
Beautifully done. Sad and haunting.
Thank you Meaghan
InMyWorld You are very welcome.
My dorm room was the last dorm room on the south side right across from the recieving barn i remeber it being -15 degrees and still went to work good memories there
Breaks my heart. My youth was spent there, very happily.
I worked as a cameraman in the back stretch tower in the late 1980's. This is another sad loss for Columbus OH!
Sad.I remember 1960s.You couldnt buy a seat.Technology has ruined everything.Are we happy?I miss going places with history.Great video,almost want to cry.But world needs more buildings and offices that eventually lay vacant.Someday humans will realize that between 1955 and 1970 things were as good as it gets.
Thanks so much for making this video. Started going there with my Dad in the late 60's and continued right up until they shut down so watching this was both sad and a treat!! Use to schedule my classes at OSU back in the 80's so that I could get done in time to make it for the first post. I even recall the days of going there when it was called Darby Downs.
Got me thinking , what a great idea it would be to do the same at the old Cooper Stadium.
I'm glad you liked the video! the Cooper Stadium idea is excellent. I haven't been there in quite a while, but I will definitely check in to it. Thanks for the idea!
I only got to see this track just after it closed. I was visiting to go to the harness races at Scioto Downs. I could only see what was there from one of the old entrance gates to the parking lot. You could see it was an old historic track. But with the coming of casinos at both Scioto and Penn Nationals free standing casino it just did not make sense to keep the old track alive. At least the state did not loose the racing totally it just was moved to near Youngstown with a brand new race track and casino complex.
I had a lot of happy times there.
So sick man! Well done, we have been inspired to get a drone
Never made the track but I vividly recall Katie and Jenna...
Great memories from this little track
I grew up in grove city.I heard it was shut down.sad
It's sad really. Now all that's left is memories of great fun and great horses
I worked there and for me to see that it's hard to believe
Thanks for sharing this, surprised the security company let you in, been wondering how things have been aging (what I can't see from the street since I live here on Grant). As much as I loved the place (worked there for 12yrs), I'm ready for them to start moving on it's future, since original plans for the development have so many callbacks to it's history.
Shared it as Beulah Park on Facebook, hope you don't mind :)
+Jason Groff no problem, thanks for commenting!
yw, as Beulah's IT Director I still keep an eye out for stuff (and still have control over some things social-wise), and your vid blew up in the Beulah Park family circles today :)
One of my customer's father robbed that place back in the day and got away with it. I asked him how he got away with it before he passed away and he said "Because I did it by myself and I didn't use a gun, walked in like I owned the place and walked out with what I went for, simple" Way before cameras and hi tech.
i miss working there! i was a mutuel clerk!, one of the funnest jobs i had. i got to gamble take drugs and watch the races!
wow, so sad. It looks like the roof for the indoor paddock is gone, I wanted to go back but never made it back.
It is pretty sad considering the history. There were a lot of people who spent a lot of their time there... thanks for the comment :)
+Amberlynn Cooper During the early days after it closed, after they had their auction the indoor paddock was taken down to the concrete wall construction :/ can see it from my front porch.
My father Glen E. Broersma, American Tote provided parimutuels for Beulah Park and Scioto Downs for many years. Palm Beach Jai Alai in Mangonia Park, Florida off Season. I lived in Grove City 1972-1983. Summer's in Ohio 1975-winters in Florida. My first REAL job was a money runner at Beulah I was 18, from the mezzanine to main money room lol, I was skinny as a rail. Then I worked a 2 dollar Quinela window. Art Schleister bet with me a lot, I used to say STOP, he bet like a rookie. I think of Dickie Myers, and Perry Ouutz?, the crowd would yell Ouutz, Ouutz he had a streak. One year I went to Lake Charles, Louisiana and worked at Delta Downs, that was wild! From 1983 to 1990 I was at PaIm Beach Kennel Club, tote was all at one machine, They've expanded to a very successful Poker Club. There is current discussion on closing the dog track, it's coming, Just like Beulah only a matter of time. The building will stay, the track a Garden? Nah more Poker. A bygone Era I believe, sigh, I met many wonderful friends and remember it as a very sweet, charming time in life. My first view, I could only cry. Very moving, bitter sweet, Thank you.
Lynn, thank you for commenting. I didn't spend nearly as much time at the track as you did, but still have really good memories of it. it really was a special place for so many people. Again, thanks for sharing your story.
+Lynne Fairchild Perry Ouzt is still riding at Belterra Park [ the old River Downs ] and at Turfway Park even getting an occasional mount at Churchill. Looks great for his age and still brings home a lot of winners. I grew up going to Beulah . I moved to Fl and am now a mutuels teller at The Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room
I hope the people of Grove City pay highest taxes in Ohio.This was Ohios best track up untill 1980.
I enjoyed racing there.
Poor security guard took a lot from the owners when this surfaced. Prop was not abandoned but in the process of being demolished.
This makes me sad.
Excellent visuals. Great shots but too many fades, needs couple more long flight shots, imho. but whadoo i know? i'm no spielberg. (but my surrogate mom was a cathode ray tube. ;)
craig R&R brought me here.
Almost committed harikari due to the music.
My condolences to those who have fond memories from Beulah, as I only visited once.
oh yeah...... bet my money on a bob tail nag, somebody bet on the bay
I really appreciate your critique! Sometimes we are at the whim of the footage... I basically didn't have a plan or music for the footage when I was was shooting. In the future, my thought is to have more of an understanding of what I am trying to accomplish before I shoot, as well as already have my music picked. For instance, my goal here should have been to have someone actually commit harikari! HAHA! Again, thank you for your thoughts!
I didn't even know they closed. What happened?!
+Kaylynn Spencer Penn National Gaming bought Beulah, viewed it as direct competition to their Casino a few miles away so wanted it gone, built a new track in Youngstown (Mahoning Valley) and moved the racing license there.
simulcasting is what happened! "racinos" is what happened. out with the old and in with the new.
First place i rode in late 70/ crushed my back there
Cody, have you recovered from your injuries?
basically live with em ; some good days some not .