Tanfaran Park, Daily Racing Form, 1899-09-20

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TANiTAKAN IAliK. Twelve miles from San Francisco, twenty minutoj ride by the steam cars, there is now btulding one of the most baautifal raco tracks in th3 west. Tanfaran Park it is called, and the name is both euphonious and reminiscent, being that of one of the early Spanish families who lived on end ownsd tho land long before before it was ever dreamed that this western slope of the northern continent would ba the brightest gem in the constellation of the United Stakes. Tanfaran Park is the property of the Western Turf Association, an organization of leading gentlemen and capitalists of San Francisco, of which W. J. Martin is president, Charles F. Gardner vice-president and F. H. Green secretary. The property on which this track and buildings are being constructed is close to San Bruno station in San Mateo county, and consists of 150 acres of level land. Along the south and west sides of the tract are a line of beautiful and tall encalipti, which by a strange coincidence were partly planted by the hands of tho secretary of this association when a jonth, his father at that time owning the property. The track, which is now nearly completed, will bo a regulation mile, but there will also be added a new feature ia the way of a straight away course of three-quarters of a mile, extending direct from the grandstand for the use of two-year-olds. Paddocks will be Eet apart and stables, carriaga-hoaeos and the other ordinary appurtenances of the racetrack will be built, while as a special feature of Tanfaran Park, the judges and timers stands will ba movable, so that they may ba put to one sido when desired to give a cloar field from the grandstand on the occasion of polo, baEeball, football and other athletic sports taking place. Af tor all, however, the main feature will ba the grandstand, which will be located close to the railroad track and be on plans prepared by Bliss and Faville, of this city. Only 120 feet will separate it from the station, and this distance will ba traversed by thos9 arriving by the cars by means of a covered way to tho stairways leading to tiers of seats, which will bo bnilt to accommodate 4,000 spectators. The structure will b3 254 foot in length and 108 feet in width; The large openings will ba treated in segmental arches following the style of the Italian renaissance, carried on sleider wroaght iron columns in front so as not to obstruct the view of tho races. The betting ring will afford an unobstructed view of the events and give a fuli sight of the finishes. The great feature of the building will be the entrance staircase, which will be seventy feet in width, leading first to the intermediary story and thon to the main floor of tho grand stand. Immediately in front of the entrance at a slightly raised elevation will be tho betting ring. Tho stairs will thon divide to right and left, giving access to the other parts of tho grandstand and notably to the seats either by the intermediary or the main floor. On the main floor will ba a small dining room, a lunch room, a kitchen, barber shop, check room and other conveniences. A ladies gallery, giving a full view of the bstting ring, retiring rooms for the ladies, parlors, etc., will be tho principal arrangement of tho intormodiary floor. Directly in the rear of the seats on the faecond story will ba a magnificent promenade 21G feet in length aud 40 feet in width, enclosed on all sides by glass, for uso betwean the races, while from the rear of the promenade will he a balcony permitting those already arrived to watch the approach of tho later comers. On that floor thero will also ba a. dining and a wino room. Finally, projecting from the roof will bo two ornamontal dormers, with plate-glass windows for the use of the turf reporters, who, in addition, will be furnished with a room for tho reception of their friends, and telegraphic and telephonic conveniences. , San Francisco Breeder and Sportsman,


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1890s/drf1899092001/drf1899092001_1_4
Local Identifier: drf1899092001_1_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800