Read about the Kenosha Velodrome in a paper written by Michael Boros.
Biography: Michael Boros is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
His expertise of the history of the Washington Park Velodrome has been acknowledged in the Kenosha Newspaper
and at the Kenosha Historical Society. Michael will be attending Roosevelt University in the summer of 2006 to do his graduate work in secondary education and history.
July, 11 1927 - Kenosha Bowl opens its first track season
1928 - Wisconsin Governor Fred R. Zimmerman flew his own Lindberg Ryan monoplane
to open the 1928 National Championships held at the new track. Winning all his events,
local hero Bobby Thomas became Junior National Champion, and ten thousand fans went wild.
Sept. 8, 1930 - National Championships return to Kenosha. 20,000 spectators in
attendance. Kenosha brothers Bobby and Corky Thomas sweep honors, winning Senior and
Junior National Championships, respectively.
1940 - Lights were installed at the track, bought second hand from the World's
Fair of 1939.
World War II interrupts bike racing at the Bowl.
July 25, 1947 - Crowd of 8,000 sees bike racing revival at the Bowl. The track
was newly reconditioned, with races Friday nights under the lights.
September 3-5, 1948 - National Championships held at Kenosha, sponsored by
Schwinn. Don Clausen of Kenosha wins the Junior title.
1948 - "Doesn't own a bike -- so Racine rider (Roger Nelson) borrows one
from his girlfriend and takes the State Crown."
1950 - Bob Pfarr of the Kenosha Wheelmen
wins Senior National Championships in New Jersey.
1951 - Bob Pfarr invited to the famous
Somerville, New Jersey race. His instructions include a postcard: "bring your Stars
& Stripes Jersey to wear as that will be real appropriate & dress up the
races." Bob Pfarr gets berth for trip to Japan on the U.S. Cycling Team.
1952 - Visiting Japanese National Team is a big attraction at the Bowl
1957 - Nationals return to Kenosha
1959 - Nationals held in Kenosha for the fifth time. Jim Rossi (Illinois) wins
his first Senior Chanpionship. (He goes on to win five more years in a row).
1960 - "Pfarr wins Olympic berth.
(competes in Team Pursuit in Rome)...500 fans honor (him) at testimonial dinner."
1967 - Workmen late Friday finished laying asphalt on the track. Bob Pfarr, who was somewhat skeptical of the black
topping idea admitted being pleasantly surprised at the finished surface. 27 degree
banking added at the curves.
1972 - National Championships again at Kenosha. Wisconsin riders Les Barczewski
and Jody Walner capture Intermediate and Midget Championships. Brother Leigh Barczewski
beat eventual Junior Champion Nelson Saldana in all races, until his chain broke in the
final event, costing him the championship. Hans Nuernberg is 2nd to Champion Gary Cambell
by inches in the final sprint.
1978 - The Golden Anniversary National Championships held at Washington Bowl on
Kenosha's newly resurfaced track.
1981 - The track was treated with a latex surface to make it faster and safer.
1982 - National Championships held in Kenosha. A removable cyclone fence was
installed to improve safety for riders and spectators.
1991 - New lighting and a public address system were installed.
1992 - The track was again resurfaced, and a new warm-up/down circle was placed
on the east end of the infield.
1996 - Junior National Championships held in Kenosha. Erin Veenstra easily takes the women's 16-18 points race
and wins a berth to the Junior World Championships in Slovenia.
