Hall of Fame

 



william edwards

Year of Birth: 
1835
Immortal: 
Yes
Executive Official: 
Yes
Executive: 
Yes
Elected as Immortal: 
1976
Year of Death: 
1898
Biography: 

It was largely due to the efforts of "The Colonel" William Edwards that the Cleveland Driving Park Company was formed in the 1870s. Under his leadership, the company took over the track and equipment of the Cleveland Club in nearby Glenville, giving one or two meets each season for three decades. Edwards was also one of the founders of the Grand Circuit in 1871. The idea for a racing circuit originated in Cleveland in a discussion between Edwards and representatives of three other tracks. Their circuit was called the Quadrilateral Trotting Combination and had its first season in 1873.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1994 book, The Immortals