And the West is History: Track meet at fairgrounds – 1917

From 1900 to 1925, the fairgrounds served as the local venue for high school track and field competitions. Each year, the fairgrounds hosted track meets with area schools, including competitors from New Mexico. Entrants participated in many of the events we know today, but some are not as well remembered. The standing broad jump, hammer throw, baseball throw and a “potato race” were included at early meets. By the mid-1920s, most schools had their own track and field venues. Note the landing area for this pole vault event from 1917. It appears to be either sawdust or sand, which would be considered too dangerous for athletes today. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 81.07.193 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)