Burns Park- 70 Years Of Recreation

Ann Arbor-Then And Now:

Burns Park —70 Years Of Recreation

Sometime in the 1880's the Washtenaw county fairgrounds was moved from its site along Hill St., west of Washtenaw Ave., to an intermediate site south of Wells St., now Burns Park. There it remained until 1922 when it was moved to Jackson Ave. Shown at the top is a picture of the grounds and racetrack taken about 1910. In the foreground is Driver William Kapp and his speedy pacer, Castel Wilkes, which had just turned in a fast quarter-mile in 29 seconds. This picture was loaned to The Ann Arbor News by Mrs. Carrie Kapp Kielwasser of 244 Crest Ave., the driver's sister. The picture below was taken last week. Appearing in the upper left corner of both views is the present home of Dr. Howard B. Lewis at 1714 Wells St. In both instances the camera is pointed to the southeast from a spot on Wells St. between Lincoln and Baldwin Aves.