Masters Theses
Date of Award
12-2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Major
History
Major Professor
Lorri Glover
Abstract
Virginia's horse culture combined with the colonists' obsession with immediate gratification created the perfect ingredients for the formation of quarter-racing. Not only did short racing afford the ideal outlet for tidewater Virginians' independence, competitiveness, and materialism but it also functioned as a tool to police social order. Consequently, seventh and eighteenth-century tidewater Virginians embraced their new innovation, transforming it from an ad hoc drag race into a formalized competition complete with specially made race courses, racing covenants that stipulated the how, when, and where of the race, and even public notices announcing upcoming events.
As a result Quarter-racing became one of the most popular colonial sporting events and developed into a cultural icon with significant social ramifications. However, as the tidewater region's economy stabilized and tobacco practices evolved, the region became enamored with more dignified pursuits causing a decline in short racing' s popularity. With a decline in short racing's popularity along the seaboard, quarter-racing all but disappeared by 1730. It was subsequently replaced by the more sophisticated and formalized thoroughbred race- a sport that more successfully allowed eighteenth-century gentlemen more effective social control. However, rather than disappearing, the versatile short race found a new home in the borderlands of the early republic. At the tum of the Eighteenth Century, American pioneers needed a fast-paced outlet. Lacking the means and time to pursue mile-lone racing, western migrants quickly adopted quarter-racing.
Despite its eventual replacement, quarter-racing dominated colonial Virginia's sporting world for close to one hundred years. Much like its creators, short racing was a combination of new and old. While it was loosely based on traditional mile races, Virginians adapted European practices to fit their new environment and ensuing needs. The result was a sport that was exhilarating, provided quick results, and easily fit into the colonists' new life style. Thus, the events surrounding the creation of this unique sport, its rise in popularity, and its eventual westward expansion offer a significant window of opportunity for understanding eighteenth-century tidewater Virginian culture.
Recommended Citation
Banker, Tollie Jean, "A Peculiar Diversion: The Social Ramifications of Quarter-Racing in the Eighteenth-Century Tidewater Virginia. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2006.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/4509