Derby racing in Hartley

Anyone remember when they had Soap Box Derby races in Hartley back in 1961-1968? I’m writing an article on it for a class and would love any help, information or photos that anyone may know or have!

Thanks!
Lauren

10 Comments

  1. rnarum on February 10, 2010 at 10:37 am

    You have likely already located the following… however, if you have not… then perhaps it will give you a lead to follow down at the Duluth Public Library…

    News Tribune
    July 9, 1967

    Starting at 1 p.m. today, 53 boys will race in the Duluth Soap Box Derby championship on the Hartley Field Derby Track. The track is one of just eleven in the country owned by a local derby.

  2. woodtick on February 10, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    I do know that the actual asphalt track itself is still present, visible, and walkable – albeit quite overgrown. It is still used as a trailway.

  3. Shane on February 10, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    Hartley had/has a derby track? All the times I have spent wandering the trails there, I don’t remember noticing any overgrown asphalt. Where is it located?

  4. Jane on February 10, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    Have you seen this page on the Hartley website?

    https://www.hartleynature.org/explore/soapboxderby.html

  5. Shane on February 11, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    Yes, I found the website. I probably should have done a google search before posting my comment/question…

  6. loveAZ on February 12, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    I have very fond memories of picking wild raspberries that grew right next to the track. Lovely memories.

  7. TimK on February 12, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    Former Duluthian Bo Conrad won the national Soap Box Derby title some time in the 1960s. I think his mom is still in town…..

  8. Lauren on February 15, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    Do you (or anyone) by chance know what Bo Conrad’s mother’s name is?

  9. TimK on February 15, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    Bo’s mother has passed, but his older sister Dorthy Conrad still lives in town and has an archive of some sort.

  10. Lauren on February 16, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    Thank you all so much for the help!

    I really appreciate it!

Leave a Comment





The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image, audio. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here