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50 kT NPS Form 10 -900 -a OMB Approval No. 1024 -0018 (8.86) 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 2 , The most conspicuous difference between the appearance of the speedway during its period of significance and today is the vegetation growth now present in the infield and around the track, on the hill overlooking the track and on the plateau containing the support buildings, roads and fence. Because the property was used for car racing and spectators were an integral part of the sport, the site was open and clear of vegetation, except along the river where hardwoods stood and continue to grow. Despite the growth of young trees and low -lying shrubs and bushes, the Occoneechee Speedway retains distinct landscape features associated with dirt track auto racing in the postwar period. The portion of the property that the racetrack occupies is a wide flood plain. A recent aerial photograph demonstrates that the 0.9 -mile oval dirt track itself remains nearly clear of tree growth and is completely visible along its entire length. Only on the east and north sides of the track have trees begun to encroach. The orientation of the track is north- south, and a thick line of trees separate the track from the river on the north and east sides. Young pine and cedar trees fill the infield. Generally, the track remains equally wide along its length except at the southwestern curve where it widens at a fork leading to the original competitors' entrance road that connects with Elizabeth Brady Road. The dirt banks designed to prevent racecars from driving into the Eno remain intact, but partially covered with vegetation. Three galvanized steel culverts on the eastern side of the track are original features of the site and were used to drain the infield. The original entrance and exit roads used by both contestants and spectators remain clear, but have been encroached upon by vegetation. The spectator parking lot is fully overgrown with trees and brush. Trees and low -lying growth cover portions of the hillside on the west side of the track from which spectators enjoyed racing events. From this former vantage point, the whole of the track is not visible because of tree growth; only the portion of the track at the bottom of the hill can be seen. A late 1950s concrete grandstand measuring 208 feet in length and 18.6 feet in height is clearly visible on the hillside and declines down the ridge in a step formation. The canopy of trees opens up here completely, except for a few young pines no taller than four feet. Clumps of moss, grass, weeds and other low -lying foliage grow on the steps of the grandstand and tall pines border the edges of the concrete structure. Above the hillside, four buildings originally associated with the speedway stand in various stages of preservation. The men's restroom, the northernmost building, is the most intact. The nearly square building retains a pyramidal roof and a sheet metal exterior. To the southwest, the ticket office has partially collapsed, but retains a sign on its west gable end indicating its original