Altamont Speedways

Auto Racing was a very popular and well attended event at Altamont Fairgrounds.  Altamont Museum and Archives has a number of photos, programs and articles available for the public to view. 

Included in the collection is a number of Official Programs for Auto Races held at Altamont Fairgrounds dating from 1937 to 1950.  These programs not only include listings of Fair Association members who formed the Altamont Speedways, but also a listing of American Automobile Association officials, Race Officials, Judges, as well as Drivers Entry List.  The programs also include handwritten last minute entries, as well as times and placement of each driver after each heat.

Another interesting part of the programs are the advertisements.   Not only did local merchants place advertisements in the program, there were many ads from All around the Capital District and as far away as New York City and New Jersey.  How many residents remember Makely’s Garage or Martin’s News Room here in Altamont?  Apparently, summer days were for racing at the fairgrounds and evenings were spent in the hill towns enjoying dinner and dancing at places like Osterhout’s Lodge,  Mattice’s Tavern, Marcy’s Rest Seekers Inn or the Lakeside Hotel.

Some the interesting points in the programs included statements in Restaurant ads such as “All legal beverages served” and “Program Price 15 Cents, Pay No More”.

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