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W NPS Form io -goo -a OMB Approval No. 10240018 (me) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Occoneechee Speedway Orange County, N.C. Section number 7 Page 1 Occoneechee Speedway occupies a roughly forty -two, acre tract just inside the southeastern town limits of Hillsborough, the seat of Orange County. The Eno River, flowing from west to east and eventually emptying into the Neuse River, forms approximately one -half mile of the property's northern and eastern boundary. The Mountain View subdivision is on the opposite side of the Eno, but not visible from the speedway parcel. An office park and a small portion of Elizabeth Brady Road delineate the western boundary, while dense woods and farm pasture land abut the southern boundary. Ayr Mount (NR, 197 1) and Montrose (NR, 200 1) are northwest of the property and across the river. Although the nominated property is within the legal town limits of Hillsborough and dense development has occurred on the eastern side of the Eno River, the setting of the speedway is rural and quiet. The property is accessible from the west via Elizabeth Brady Road, a paved road that intersects with the north side of U.S. Highway 70 Business. From Elizabeth Brady Road, the original dirt entrance road used by competitors to access the speedway veers to the northeast from a point three- tenths of a mile north of the intersection with U.S. 70 Business. The entrance road connects to the southwestern curve of the oval track, or the original first turn. This dirt road remains at a fairly level altitude with the track. Access to the original exit road is gained through an office park located further north on Elizabeth Brady Road. The exit road runs along a ridge that is at a higher altitude than the racetrack. The nominated property is roughly oval to rectangular in shape with an elongated parcel or "dogleg" extending from the southwest corner of the property; this tangent contains the entrance originally used by racing competitors. The acreage encompassing the speedway is wooded with hardwoods and pines. During the period of significance, the track, infield and hillside to the west of the track were clear of any vegetation. Judging from the maturity level of the vegetation west of the hillside, it appears the area surrounding the buildings, structures and circulation network was also originally free of trees and other mature plant life during the time the property functioned as an auto racing track. The elevation of the speedway site varies dramatically from east to west. The lowest elevations exist along the Eno River. Hardwood trees, especially poplar, hickory and beech, grow here. From the river, the topography rises dramatically to form a mostly level man -made plateau on which the track is sited. The topography rises sharply just west of the track. This hillside held spectators and grandstands. Above the hill, a gently sloping plain contains the four historic buildings, a metal fence and a network of dirt roads historically used to enter and exit the property.