THE ORIGINAL CIRCUIT
1948 - 1952
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American road racing was revived
at Watkins Glen, NY on October 2, 1948, the first road race run
since before World War II. The 6.6 mile circuit ran through the
village streets, starting and ending in front of the Schuyler
County Court House. To close the public roads for the event, it
was necessary to have permits from six governmental entities;
the state, county, village, Town of Reading, Town of Dix and the
New York State Parks Commission. It was also necessary to have
a permit from the New York Central Railroad to stop the trains
during the race, as the course crossed the tracks. The circuit
was used for races from 1948 through 1952. Unchanged, it may be
toured today as public roads. For those who were here in the early
days, it is a sentimental journey. For those who have never been
here, it is a lesson in motor racing history.
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MAP OF ORIGINAL CIRCUIT
SELF GUIDED TOUR
SELF GUIDED TOUR OF ORIGINAL COURSE
LANDMARKS ON THE ORIGINAL CIRCUIT
The landmarks listed below are also on our map or the original circuit.
Click HERE for a listing of landmarks you can print out and take with you on the tour.
CREDITS:
1988:The Watkins-Montour
Rotary Club establish the yellow brick posts at the Start/Finish
line of the original circuit commemorating the 40th anniversary
of the first Watkins Glen Grand Prix race.
1989:
The Watkins Glen Grand Prix Historical Committee, working with
the village, New York State Parks Commission and Watkins Glen
International, develop the three panels of historical racing information
at the Start/Finish line.
1990:
Through the courtesy of the Glen Region of the Sports Car Club
of America and in cooperation with the Watkins Glen Grand Prix
Historical Committee, eight historical signs are placed on the
original 6.6 mile circuit. The signs closely duplicate the original
signs placed there in 1950 by the New York State Highway Dept.
THE GOAL of
the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Historical Committee is to preserve
the history of road racing at Watkins Glen, particularly the history
of the 6.6 mile circuit and its relationship to the Village of
Watkins Glen.
THE TOUR:
Starting at the Start/Finish
line on Franklin Street, drive 1/4 mile to Old Corning Hill Road,
turn right, continue up the steep hill and bear to the right onto
Townsend Road through White House S to School House Corner, take
a sharp right downhill to cross Cornett's Stone Bridge, and continue
on following the Serpentine Road to Archy Smith's Corner, turn
right down the straight, over the railroad tracks leading to a
mile long descent into the village, and turn right onto Franklin
Street, back to the Start/Finish Line.
WHITE HOUSE "S" is
located 1.3 miles from the start/finish line. It marks a series
of uphill curves near where a white house stood in 1948. The house
no longer exists. The name takes poetic license from White House
Corner at the LeMans circuit in France.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
The COLLIER MONUMENT is located
2.3 miles from the start/finish line. It is a huge native granite
boulder on which a bronze plaque bears the legend:
"Samuel Carner Collier
1912- 1950
crashed here while leading
the Grand Prix 1950
Miles Collier 1914 -
1954 Winner Grand Prix 1949"
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
SCHOOL HOUSE CORNER is located
2.7 miles from the start/finish line at the start of the dramatic,
abrupt descent into the state park. On a knoll on the southwest
corner is a structure that was once a one-room schoolhouse in
1948. Remodeled, it is now a private residence.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
CORNETT'S STONE BRIDGE is 3 miles
from the start/finish line. In the 1948 Junior Prix, Denver Cornett
flipped his MG into the creek. He rolled it over, borrowed parts
from his fellow competitors and was ready to race in the Grand
Prix, finishing 7th.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
ARCHY SMITH'S CORNER is located
3.7 miles from the start/finish line. The stucco house on the
corner belonged to a dairy farmer named Archy Smith.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
RAILROAD STRAIGHT is 4 miles
from the start/finish line. It was a dirt road in 1948. Beyond
the trees lining the road on the south side is a sheer cliff drop
direct to the bottom of the Glen. Cars went at maximum speed on
this stretch, braking for the bump at the rail road tracks, often
resulting in an airborne vehicle.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
FRIAR'S CURVE is 5 miles from
the start/finish line, beginning the descent into the village.
It receives its romantic name as it borders land owned by the
Franciscan Brothers.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
BIG BEND is 5.4 miles from the start/finish line. It offers a breathtaking view of Seneca Lake
harbor. It offered a breath-taking experience for
the driver with speeds exceeding maximum on the downhill descent.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
MILLIKEN'S CORNER is 6.2 miles
from the start/finish line. It was here, in 1948, that William
Milliken of Buffalo overturned his Bugatti. He crawled out, unharmed,
to the applause of spectators across the street.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
Start Finish Line - On Franklin Street accross the street from the courthouse is the marker showing the actual location of those first Starts in 48 - 52.
Back to the Landmark Index or the Map Page
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All Rights Reserved
100 N. Franklin
St. - Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Ph: (607) 535-3003
Fax:
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