• Aerial View of Hollywood Park Racetrack, May, 1977 - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection Aerial View of Hollywood Park Racetrack, May, 1977 - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection
  • Hollywood Park Race Track Fire May 5, 1949 - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection Hollywood Park Race Track Fire May 5, 1949 - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection
  • Hollywood Park Racetrack Clubhouse Entrance ca. 1960 -courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection Hollywood Park Racetrack Clubhouse Entrance ca. 1960 -courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection
  • Old Hollywood Park Racetrack September, 1969 -courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection Old Hollywood Park Racetrack September, 1969 -courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection
  • Hollywood Park Racetrack 1960 (Turf Club) - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection Hollywood Park Racetrack 1960 (Turf Club) - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection
  • Hollywood Park Racetrack May, 1977 - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection Hollywood Park Racetrack May, 1977 - courtesy of the Inglewood Public Library Collection
     
Hollywood Park Racetrack (1937- 2013)

Original Architect
Arthur Froelich

Turf Club Architect
Stiles O. Clements

Landscape Architect
Frederick Barlow, Jr

Landscape Architect
Edward Huntsman-Trout

Hollywood Park was built by the Hollywood Turf Club. It was one of the first racetracks designed by Arthur Froelich who went onto an illustrious career as a racetrack architect. During its 75-year existence the Track closed twice. During World War II, it was used for a storage facility, reopening after the war ended. In 1949 the Grandstand and Club House were destroyed by a fire; the track was rebuilt and reopened in 1960. It was expanded in 1984.

In its heyday, the Hollywood Park was a magnet for Hollywood celebrities, many of whom were on its board including Jack Warner, Walt Disney, Samuel Goldwin, Darryl Zanuck, Al Jolson and Bing Crosby.

There were many famous races run there including the inaugural Breeders Cup in 1984. Many horses such as Seabiscuit, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed ran the track.

Racing became considerably less popular as a leisure activity. By the 90's a casino was added. The Track was sold several times to a variety of owners, each of whom had a different recipe for reinvigorating it. Nothing really took. Finally in 2013 it was shuttered for good. Over 13,000 people attended the last race making it the largest attendance in years. There were so many people trying to get in, that the gates were opened to everyone after 2pm. The final stakes race was won by California Chrome. The crowd sung 'Auld Lang Syne' and 'Hooray for Hollywood' as the horses paraded in.

A new retail and residential development which will bring 3000 housing units, a hotel and a park to the 260 acre site is currently under construction.