Devonshire Downs

{{Short description|Horse racing track and multipurpose event facility in Northridge, California}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} '''Devonshire Downs''', sometimes informally called '''The Downs''', was a [[horse racing]] track and multipurpose event facility in [[Northridge, Los Angeles|Northridge, California]]. It was located at the southwest corner of [[Devonshire Street (Los Angeles)|Devonshire Street]] and Zelzah Avenue,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_Views_of_the_San_Fernando_Valley_Page_4.html |title=Early Views of the San Fernando Valley |accessdate=September 14, 2024 |publisher=[[Water and Power Associates]]}}</ref> east of [[Reseda Boulevard]]. The site is now owned by the [[California State University, Northridge]] (CSUN), which renamed it North Campus, and leased in part to [[Medtronic]] MiniMed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csun.edu/northcampus |title=North Campus Development Corporation |author= |date=18 April 2013 |publisher=California State University, Northridge |access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>Gregory J. Wilcox for the LA Daily News. 11 June 2015 [http://www.dailynews.com/20110615/medtronic-diabetes-laying-off-more-than-400-at-northridge-site Medtronic Diabetes laying off more than 400 at Northridge site]</ref><ref name=MiniMed>{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Michael P. |date=May 9, 2000 |title=CSUN and MiniMed Seek Synergy on Campus |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-09-me-28216-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref>

==1940s==

In 1943, Helen Dillman and Pete Spears purchased 40 acres for $80,000 with plans to construct a [[harness racing]] track, but a wartime construction moratorium temporarily put the project on hold. Weekly Sunday afternoon harness races, called matinees, began in 1946. The State of California bought the property for $140,000 in 1948, at which time it also became the home of the 51st District Agricultural Association's annual San Fernando Valley Fair.

==1950s==

During the 1950s, as the [[San Fernando Valley]]'s population boomed and [[tract housing]] rapidly replaced Northridge's citrus groves and small ranches, the venue increasingly served to host a wide variety of mostly non-equestrian expositions, festivals, carnivals, concerts, swap meets, rallies and other events.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=August 30, 1956 |title=11th San Fernando Valley Fair Will Open Today: Polkas and Square Dancing Scheduled; Horse Shows Also Billed for Evenings |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/11th-san-fernando-valley-fair-will-open-today/docview/166987874/se-2 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=B1 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |date=August 27, 1958 |title=San Fernando Valley Fair Will Open Today: Exposition and Rodeo Queens Crowned as Prelude to Event at Devonshire Downs |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/san-fernando-valley-fair-will-open-today/docview/167338704/se-2 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=B1 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>[http://digital-library.csun.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/SFVH/id/2431 An undated flier] touts the facility's amenities and versatility. Retrieved 2013-11-06.</ref> These alternative uses eventually predominated. A new California State College campus was built on adjacent land and opened in 1958 as [[San Fernando Valley State College]], which soon became the owner of Devonshire Downs.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=June 15, 1962 |title=Huge Stadium Included in College Master Plan: Trustees Approve Program Calling for 45,000-Seat Facility at Devonshire Downs |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/huge-stadium-included-college-master-plan/docview/168149072/se-2 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=B8 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref>

==1960s==

During the 1960s, poor track maintenance and declining interest in the sport led to the end of horse racing at the facility. The last race horse was removed in 1971.<ref>Murphy, J. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-10-27-sp-12937-story.html "The Downs: Though Harness Racing's Bustling Sights and Shrill Sounds Have All Faded, Sparkling Memories of the Sport Linger On"]. ''The Los Angeles Times'', 1985-10-27. Retrieved 2013-11-05.</ref> In the same year, the college, which became [[California State University, Northridge|California State University, Northridge (CSUN)]] in 1972, built a football stadium on some of the acreage. Other parts of the property continued to be put to diverse uses. During the first half of the 1980s, Devonshire Downs was the venue for numerous [[hardcore punk]] rock shows. Devonshire Downs is most widely known for hosting the three-day [[Newport Pop Festival#The "Newport 69" Festival|Newport Pop Festival]] in June 1969, also known as Newport '69, featuring [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Joe Cocker]] and nearly thirty other top acts.<ref>Beardsley, J. [http://www.laobserved.com/visiting/2009/06/newport_69_a_retrospect.php "Newport '69, a retrospect"]. ''LA Observed'', 2009-06-17. Retrieved 2013-11-05.</ref> With over 200,000 people attending the festival over three days, it was, by far, the largest music event in the United States up to that time.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wharton |first=David |date=August 6, 1989 |title=The Lost Love-In : It was the Woodstock they forgot: Newport '69, Los Angeles' own weekend of music, masses and mayhem |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-06-ca-315-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref> News reports at the time indicated that hundreds were injured in a melee during the festival, and 200 police officers were deployed to restore order.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=June 24, 1969 |title=Disorder at Devonshire Downs |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/disorder-at-devonshire-downs/docview/156221273/se-2 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=A8 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref>

==1970s==

While the San Fernando Valley Fair utilized Devonshire Downs as its venue as early as the 1950s,<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=August 30, 1951 |title=San Fernando Valley's Fair Opening Today |work=Los Angeles Times |page=32 |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/san-fernando-valleys-fair-opening-today/docview/166186602/se-2 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |date=August 27, 1952 |title=Devonshire Downs Fair Will Open Tomorrow |work=Los Angeles Times |page=B9 |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/devonshire-downs-fair-will-open-tomorrow/docview/166391991/se-2 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref> the fair hit its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s,<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Shaughnessy |first=Lynn |date=July 18, 1985 |title=Beginning Four-Day Run : Fair Officials Stay Hopeful Despite Cloudy Past |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-18-we-7521-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref> finally moving away from Northridge in the late 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lozano |first=Carlos V. |date=July 12, 1988 |title=Fair Opens for a Last Fling at the Old Stand |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-12-me-5585-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |author-link=Claudia_Puig |date=February 12, 1988 |title=Valley Fair to Be Held at CSUN; Move to Pierce College Delayed |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-12-me-28496-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref> Political pressures pushed to sell the property, starting in the early 1960s and continuing into the mid-1970s, but CSUN maintained ownership throughout this time period and beyond.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCurdy |first=Jack |date=March 13, 1963 |title=C of C, Legislator Fight Devonshire Downs Sale: 22-Acre Parcel Considered Necessary for Expansion of Valley State College Campus |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/c-legislator-fight-devonshire-downs-sale/docview/168310024/se-2 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=A8 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lubas |first=Ken |date=June 22, 1975 |title=CSUN Fights to Keep Control of Devonshire Downs |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/csun-fights-keep-control-devonshire-downs/docview/157675013/se-2 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=SF_A1 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref>

==Later years==

In 2001, the football stadium and practically everything else was razed and most of the land was leased out for development as a private industrial park,<ref>{{cite news |last=Garvey |first=Megan |date=May 14, 1998 |title=Officials OK CSUN Development Plan: Land use: Unanimous vote approves proposal for biotech park, entertainment complex and academic buildings--but no stadium--on 65-acre North Campus |url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/officials-ok-csun-development-plan/docview/2110512897/se-2 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=VYB8 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref> with part of the area taken over by [[Medtronic]] MiniMed.<ref name=MiniMed /><ref>{{cite news |last=Kowalick |first=Vince |date=September 16, 2000 |title=Northridge Preparing to Leave Shabby Home |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-16-sp-21769-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref> CSUN also developed part of the property for housing needs related to the University.<ref>{{cite news |last=Senzee |first=Thom |date=November 2007 |title=Remember the Ponies at Devonshire Downs? They're Coming Back -- Or at least the Downs Are |url=http://www.csun.edu/pubrels/clips/Nov07/11-05-07G.pdf |work=Community News |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:American football venues in Los Angeles]] [[Category:Defunct college football venues]] [[Category:Defunct horse racing venues in California]] [[Category:Demolished sports venues in California]] [[Category:Cal State Northridge Matadors football]] [[Category:Sports venues in Los Angeles]] [[Category:College football venues in California]]