I was honored to be invited to speak at the Texas State Historical Association’s (TSHA) Annual Meeting yesterday. I participated in the session “We Are Off to the Races! Horse Racing History in Texas,” where I presented on Arlington Downs, one of my favorite local history topics. Operating as a horse racing track from 1929 to 1937, Arlington Downs was a premiere venue widely considered one of the best in the country, rivaling famous ones in New York and Kentucky.
I was joined in the session by Anne J. Bailey and Preston Lewis—both accomplished authors, historians, and experts in their respective fields. Though I felt a tad over my head in such distinguished company, I held my own, and the audience seemed to enjoy the presentation. It was a good experience.
The TSHA’s Annual Meeting “stands as the premier gathering for aficionados of Texas history” and typically attracts over 700 attendees. This year’s event was held at the Westin Dallas-Fort Worth Airport hotel in Irving from March 4–7, featuring a full schedule of panels, presentations, and special events.
TSHA Annual Conference
March 4-7, 2026
Irving, Texas
www.tshaonline.org
Session
We Are Off to the Races! Horse Racing History in Texas — From frontier towns to Depression-era racetracks, this session explores the evolution of horse racing in Texas. Presenters trace how the sport reflected broader cultural and economic shifts—from informal quarter races of the nineteenth century to the rise and fall of Arlington Downs in the early twentieth century.
Session Chair: Donald S. Frazier. Presenters: Preston Lewis, Anne J. Bailey, and Jason Sullivan.
Session info from Program
Presentation Abstract
Arlington Downs: Big-Time Horse Racing in a Small-Town — From 1929 to 1937, Arlington Downs—a horse racing track built by rancher and oilman W. T. Waggoner—helped put the small town of Arlington on the map. Drawing thousands of spectators, the track became a hub of excitement, a tourist draw, and a city landmark. This presentation will explore the history of Arlington Downs, from its opening and the success of legalized pari-mutuel betting to its second life as a venue for rodeos and other events. We’ll delve into how this brief era of horse racing shaped Arlington’s identity and how its legacy endures in local history.
Bio
Jason S. Sullivan is a local history blogger who explores the past and present of his hometown of Arlington, Texas. As a board member, newsletter editor, and social media manager for the Arlington Historical Society, he is instrumental in sharing local history and preserving stories for future generations. In addition to his blog and social media work, Jason has contributed local history articles to the City of Arlington’s website and the Arlington Public Library’s Black History Community Archive. In 2023, he received the Debbie Reynolds-Hazen Award, which recognizes a younger individual for leadership in collecting and preserving the history of Tarrant County.
If you didn’t get a name tag, were you even there?
TSHA Annual Conference
March 4-7, 2026
Irving, Texas
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 03-07-26
Jason S. Sullivan 