V 1 N. 24 A World Class Photo New York 1870's
One of George Brainerd’s most remarkable action photos of runners sprinting on a New York track, snapped in the late 1870s. Brainerd was experimenting with improved handheld cameras and faster dry-plate technology, which drew him more and more to action scenes. Photograph: The Brooklyn Museum The Guardian
In the October 14, 2035 issue of The Guardian a review of an about to be published collection of photographs by the 19th century photographer George Bradford-Brainerd was shown. The opening photo was this stunning, when you consider the date it was taken, photo of two runners on a curve. By looking around, several possible stories can be derived by a visionary observer. Test yourself, when you look at it, what do you see?
You can read the article at this link: George Bradford Brainerd Photographs
Here are my observations:
1. I see two fairly fit looking young white males rounding a curve.
2. The track seems to be well maintained and even has a concrete curb, were we that advanced in the 19th century?
3. Equipment wise, they both seem to be well outfitted with possibly running spikes and their shorts appear to be modern by today's standards. The almost knee length tights on the inside runner would match the latest gear in design if not in fabric.
4. The outside runner has slightly longer than knee length shorts thus putting him into the 19th century.
5. Both runners have very good form. I'm guessing this is a 220 yards affair or some odd ball distance like 125 or 150 yards as was sometimes raced in those days. They are much too upright and strong looking at this point to be finishing a 440 or 880. Both men seem to be quite fit even by today's standards. Is this from hard factory labor or a life of leisure in the Hamptons?
6. I'm inclined to believe this may even be a 'posed' photograph solely for the benefit of the photographer experimenting with a new camera that has a 1/250 second shutter, a very uncommon asset in those days of photography. The fact that the inside lane runner is topless may also indicate that it wasn't an official race.
7. A stride behind the outside runner I also notice a small cloud of dust settling on the track, probably caused by the takeoff from his previous stride and indicating that he indeed is wearing spikes. A smaller mark also appears behind the inside runner.
8. Getting away from the runners, lets look at the other individuals in the photo. First the guy in the middle who appears to be holding a baseball bat. What could his role possibly be? Is it a baseball bat? Quite possibly, the first professional game was only a few years earlier in 1869. Was he in the track infield hitting fly balls to someone? I did this once when living in Beijing in 1988. My son and I brought along some baseball gear and I would hit flies to him on the university track infield. Our Chinese hosts had never seen such a thing and were amazed. But our man in the middle might also be part of officialdom and holding an unfurled flag.
9.To the left is a group of three people. The man in the middle appears to be an athlete. Is this a shot put ring, with the bare ground in front of it? Also is that straight path coming from the curve a throwing runway for the javelin? I doubt it. Maybe it is an approach for a cricket bowler, but wouldn't it be more in the center of the field?
10. On the right is another athlete in white, possibly near a broad jump runway. The athlete seems to have a narrow waist and curved hips indicating femininity, but I think that is an illusion in the photo, and in those days women would never have been allowed to dress like that in public even at a beach. Two other athletes in white. One is behind the right elbow of the runner in the outside lane and another is just behind the guy with the baseball bat.
11. No idea where this might be in New York City. Perhaps a reader recognizes such a building. I'm imagining it is a lunatic asylum and perhaps an inmate is at each window screaming for their favorite runner. A high wall in front of the building. Is it a prison or does it go around the sports field? I'm not sure what the high white posts might be, but they are too early for an electrically lighted sports field.
I have looked at the Brooklyn museum archives to see if this photo is listed in its collection. After scanning 2000 photos I didn't find it, but I have no doubt that it is a photo by Brainerd-Bernard, as several photos in the Guardian article are indeed seen amongst those 2000. I was hoping that more info on location or the people in the photo might be given, but alas, no luck. I'm still banking on the lunatic asylum hypothesis. Where else would you build a running track in the 1870's?
A Googledive dredged up the following information but not the actual location of the track in our picture. Today it may be under a Walmart.
In the 1870s, track and field competitions in New York City were dominated by the New York Athletic Club (NYAC), which hosted its first organized events in 1870. The club held its "Spring and Fall Games" twice a year, and its 1876 Fall Games were designated as the first national championship. The decade also saw the establishment of the first intercollegiate championships in 1876.
Key competitions and developments
- The NYAC began its "Spring and Fall Games" in 1870, which became regular events in the city.
- The 1876 Fall Games, hosted by the NYAC, were the site of the first American track and field championships.
- Also in 1876, the first collegiate championships, organized as the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) championships, were held.
- By 1879, there were enough clubs for them to form a national governing body, the National Association of Amateur Athletes of America (NAAAA), to oversee national championships.
- The national championships helped shift competitions from roads and horse tracks to purpose-built tracks.
If you have any thoughts on what else might be seen in the photo or different interpretations please don't be shy to send a comment.
George,
They are definitely sprinting. Runner on the inside is lifting and driving with a good stride according to the dirt flying behind him. Both runners are really fit and look like they are trained runners.
I’ve attached a photo of the 1968 Olympic trials at Lake Tahoe. It’s first round and since so few runners qualified for altitude training and the final trials, we are only eliminating one runner per heat. Ralph Shultz, on the inside was eliminated in this heat. Probably third 200M and we are accelerating after a medium pace. Everyone is relaxed and just flying. I’m leading and Ron Kutchinski (who was third in the final trials) from Michigan is on my shoulder and really lifting, his drive foot is completely vertical. That’s Jim Ryun on the outside, Ray Arrington , Bob Ziminski and Shultz boxed on the inside. John Perry
George, I don't know what anyone else said but I get your "wry" off the wall sense of humor
Mike Waters
WHERE WAS THIS TRACK LOCATED?
October 21-2025
After several days more research, I've concluded that the track in our old photo is in the area of South Bronx called Mott Haven. Track and Field News describes the early national championships in the 1870's as being at a track in the area of Mott Haven which today is in the South Bronx. (See T&FN description below this paragraph) The track is described as being 'pear shaped and 350 yards long) Today there are several tracks in the area, one at 151st Street and Morris Ave. is that odd distance. But I cannot attribute with 100 percent certainty that any of those tracks are the same one in the photo. I also do not see any building resembling the one in our picture to modern day photos from Googlemaps. but then how many buildings that were standing in NYC in the 1870's are still there today? The track in the old photo appears to be set out out in a north south direction as the shadows seem to be short, thus midday, shadows pointing northerly, and the two runners in the turn in our photo therefore going in an easterly direction. The modern tracks in the immediate area (see the Governor Smith Playground track at 151st Street and Morris Ave.) That park got a synthentic surface in 2004, but may have been there a long time waiting for that synthenthetic renovation. Approximately five blocks east at Mott Haven Village Preparatory School is another track layed out in that direction as well, so one of them could be on the original site. Also of interest in the Googlemaps picture (click here) Mott Haven NYC on Googlemaps is the rather oddball shape of the track at Mott Haven Village Prep. It seems to have been squeezed into a slightly misshapen lot. But it measures, by my calculation to be 400 meters long although there is a bend in the east straight and the south turn also straightens. (Could this be the 'pear shape' mentioned below?) However the older looking track at Governor Smith only measures about 350 meters. From the Googlemaps picture it appears to be an older more worn out surface (2004). Is is due to neglect? An odd distance, maybe a relic of a long forgotten era before tracks were exactly 440 yards (now 400 meters)? Is this the old track in our photo? If I were a betting person, this is where I would put my money. Of lesser interest to this question is the fact that only about 1100 meters due Northwest of the Governor Smith Track is a newer full sized track facility the Joseph Yancy Track which is directly across the street from Yankee Stadium
Below is the Track and Field News description of the early national championships including location of those events. The Mott Haven track location is described as Mott Ave. and 15th Street which does not align with current street names and numbers. This only adds more questions to which answers must be found if this story is to be complete. Perhaps old street names and numbers have changed?
| 1876 |
| (September 30, New York, New York; Mott Haven Track) |
| First year held. The actual title was “The 7th Annual Fall Games Of The NYAC,” and Mott Haven was the NYAC’s track, which was at the corner of Mott Avenue and 15th Street. It was 1/5th of a mile (352y/322m) in length, was pear-shaped and had a 125y (114m) straightaway. The meet was marked by rain and cold weather all day. Four Canadians (Harold Lambe and the brothers Pearson—Robert, James & Harold) were the first foreign competitors. |
| 1877 |
| (September 08, New York, New York; Mott Haven Track) |
| This was technically The 8th Annual Fall Games Of The NYAC. The first American Records seen at the national meet were set in the shot and hammer. The best events were the sprints, in which 4ft could cover the first 5 finishers in both. |
| 1878 |
| (October 12, New York, New York; Mott Haven Track) |
| The 9th Annual Fall Games Of The NYAC, this was the last year the championships were conducted by the NYAC. Despite a cold, windy day, the attendance was noted to be outstanding. William Wilmer set an American Record in the 220. In the 100, 10.0 was recorded but it was wind-aided. |
| 1879 |
| (September 27, New York, New York; Mott Haven Track) |
| These were the first championships conducted by the National Association Of Amateur Athletes of America (NAAAA), although the site did not change. Weather was perfect, cool and clear with only light breezes. The track was noted to be in perfect condition. Lon Myers won the first triple (100, 220, 440). Attendance was excellent although the last day of the Astley Belt Race was being held concurrently. |
| 1880 |
| (September 25, New York, New York; Mott Haven Track) |
| 117 athletes competed on a perfect day—clear and warm with no wind. Myers won a quadruple: 100, 220, 440, 880. |
| 1881 |
| (September 24, New York, New York; Mott Haven Track) |
| The day was clear and unseasonably warm with a light breeze against the runners in the straight. Unfortunately the track was in poor condition and the field was noted to be weak, keeping the marks mediocre. The attendance was about 1000. Myers tripled again in the three short races. |
| 1882 |
| (June 10, New York, New York; Manhattan Polo Grounds) |
| The day was cloudy and threatening as the meet left Mott Haven for the first time and was moved from the fall months. The track was located at 110th St. & 6th Ave, and was 1/3rd of a mile (587y/536m) in length with the 220 run around a turn. Four American Records were set: Frank Lambrecht (SP, HT), H.W. West (56lb Weight), and James Tivey (120H). |
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