Although Rockingham Park will permanently close its doors on August 31, its 110 year history will hopefully be preserved far into the future. While the racetrack has for many decades been a landmark of Salem, its history has many links to the people of Windham. Before Edward Searles left Windham, due to tax reasons shortly after the construction of his castle estate was completed, he purchased Rockingham Park. At one time Searles owned approximately ten percent of the town of Salem. According to "Olden Days of Salem, New Hampshire", Searles first became involved with Rockingham Park in 1912 when he loaned the owners of the park $50,000. Searles also suggested that a large fair be held at the property in order to generate interest in the property. The first fair was held on August 29 of that year, but attendance was dismal due to poor weather conditions. When the second annual fair was scheduled for 1913, Searles took out a $100,000 insurance policy from Lloyd's of London to cover for the expenses and lost revenue should it have rained. Fortunately, for Searles and Lloyd's, it did not rain and the insurance money was never paid out. That year there were 27 gambling games operated on what was termed "Looney Lane" at the fair. However, through protest, and in some cases prosecution, gambling was eliminated from future fairs held at Rockingham Park. Honorable Chester I. Campbell was hired to promote the 1914 fair as being much "cleaner" than the previous fair. He is credited by the New England Watch and Ward Society as having turned "the worst Fair in New England, to one of the cleanest Fairs in New England." Furthermore, he "proved the cleanliness pays", by making the 1914 fair a financial success, as opposed to the 1913 fair which was deemed a financial failure.
In 1915, Searles purchased the entire property and held the fourth, and final fair, at Rockingham Park. When Searles passed away in 1920, the park was willed to Arthur T. Walker, who sold it to Rockingham Motor Speedway, Inc. in 1925. However, Windham's association with the racetrack does not end with the death of Searles. Over the years countless Windham citizens would have attended live auto races, and later horse races at Rockingham Park. Arthur Sweatt, a horse owner originally from Lowell, resided in Windham. Below is a photograph of Arthur Sweatt in the winner's circle at Rockingham Park with his horse, Direct Flight.
In 1915, Searles purchased the entire property and held the fourth, and final fair, at Rockingham Park. When Searles passed away in 1920, the park was willed to Arthur T. Walker, who sold it to Rockingham Motor Speedway, Inc. in 1925. However, Windham's association with the racetrack does not end with the death of Searles. Over the years countless Windham citizens would have attended live auto races, and later horse races at Rockingham Park. Arthur Sweatt, a horse owner originally from Lowell, resided in Windham. Below is a photograph of Arthur Sweatt in the winner's circle at Rockingham Park with his horse, Direct Flight.
1966 winner's circle photograph from Rockingham Park
The following account of Sweatt's involvement with Rockingham Park and horse racing is from a hand-typed, unpublished manuscript:
"Entering the winner's circle is Direct Flight, owned and trained by Arthur Sweatt of Windham, N.h. and driven by Quentin McKenney. This has become a familiar announcement at Suffolk Downs over the past several years. This tough old campaigner has found his way into the winner's circle on numerous occasions. Direct Flight was purchased in October of 1965 by Arthur Sweatt of Windham. Sweatt is well known in the Lowell area, as he was a familiar figure in the Lowell business community until 1964. Long interested in the "jugheads" as trotters and pacers are sometimes referred to, he purchased his first horse in 1964 and today has a three horse stable. Time Clipper and Clipper Time are training at Spring Garden Ranch in DeLeon Springs, Florida, where they are handled by veteran trainer Quentin McKenney, assisted by former Lowell High track ace Ron McArthur of Centralville. Time Clipper was somewhat of a sensation at Rockingham last spring, winning four of his first five starts. This son of Right Time out of the Cardinal Prince mare Miss Emma Cardinal ended up the year with earnings in excess of $8,500. Clipper Time is an unraced daughter of Ohio Time, picked up by Sweatt this fall at the Delaware, Ohio standardbreed sale. These two should be on the Rock scene in Mid March. The third horse is the veteran pacer Direct Flight, who is being prepped in the north for the early part of the Rockingham meet. Direct Flight had five wins, four seconds, and three thirds in twenty six starts in 1968. This was accomplished after a late start as he was injured when going over the fence March 8 during a pre-race warmup mile. A rein came loose on the outside of the horse, and for Arthur Sweatt who was warming up the horse it became a ride of a lifetime as the horse circled the track several times with no control over him. The jog cart was continually scraping the hub rail, finally caught and horse and driver ended up in the infield. This laid the tough old campaigner up for another month and he didn't get to start until April 10.
Suffolk Downs late fall meets seem to suit this grandson of Billy Direct the best. In 20 starts on the East Boston oval since being acquired by Sweatt, Direct Flight has won nine races and picked up sixteen purse checks. Many of the wins have come from tough trips being parked out a good share of the race. This fall he drew the outside post position in four of his five starts. He is an easy horse to get along with around the barn and is a great favorite with the youngsters. Several local harness fans had the opportunity to jog him while he was training last summer at the Richardson stock farm in Pelham. When his racing days are over he should make a fine pet for some young horse lover."
"Entering the winner's circle is Direct Flight, owned and trained by Arthur Sweatt of Windham, N.h. and driven by Quentin McKenney. This has become a familiar announcement at Suffolk Downs over the past several years. This tough old campaigner has found his way into the winner's circle on numerous occasions. Direct Flight was purchased in October of 1965 by Arthur Sweatt of Windham. Sweatt is well known in the Lowell area, as he was a familiar figure in the Lowell business community until 1964. Long interested in the "jugheads" as trotters and pacers are sometimes referred to, he purchased his first horse in 1964 and today has a three horse stable. Time Clipper and Clipper Time are training at Spring Garden Ranch in DeLeon Springs, Florida, where they are handled by veteran trainer Quentin McKenney, assisted by former Lowell High track ace Ron McArthur of Centralville. Time Clipper was somewhat of a sensation at Rockingham last spring, winning four of his first five starts. This son of Right Time out of the Cardinal Prince mare Miss Emma Cardinal ended up the year with earnings in excess of $8,500. Clipper Time is an unraced daughter of Ohio Time, picked up by Sweatt this fall at the Delaware, Ohio standardbreed sale. These two should be on the Rock scene in Mid March. The third horse is the veteran pacer Direct Flight, who is being prepped in the north for the early part of the Rockingham meet. Direct Flight had five wins, four seconds, and three thirds in twenty six starts in 1968. This was accomplished after a late start as he was injured when going over the fence March 8 during a pre-race warmup mile. A rein came loose on the outside of the horse, and for Arthur Sweatt who was warming up the horse it became a ride of a lifetime as the horse circled the track several times with no control over him. The jog cart was continually scraping the hub rail, finally caught and horse and driver ended up in the infield. This laid the tough old campaigner up for another month and he didn't get to start until April 10.
Suffolk Downs late fall meets seem to suit this grandson of Billy Direct the best. In 20 starts on the East Boston oval since being acquired by Sweatt, Direct Flight has won nine races and picked up sixteen purse checks. Many of the wins have come from tough trips being parked out a good share of the race. This fall he drew the outside post position in four of his five starts. He is an easy horse to get along with around the barn and is a great favorite with the youngsters. Several local harness fans had the opportunity to jog him while he was training last summer at the Richardson stock farm in Pelham. When his racing days are over he should make a fine pet for some young horse lover."