This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Harness racing roots in Iowa build two dominant horse families
A historical review by Arthur Huntington highlights how Iowa bred and promoted the Axworthy and Peter the Great families, tracing lineage from Axtell and Princess 230 to modern speedsters. It details early fairs, notable horses like Richhall and Axtell, and the rise of Independence as a harness racing hub.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sparta
Iss
State of Camp
Ress Racing
Weiss
Iowa
America
Axtell
Peter the Great
Peter the
William L
Guy Wilkes
George Wilkes
Mambrino Boy
Allerton
Axworthy
Guy Axworthy
Princess
Happy Medium
Maxey Cobb
Nancy Hanks
Axworthies
Tony the Great
Ed Keith
Central City
Makin the Great
Guy French
Marshalltown
Town
Charney Williams
Independence
Axtell and Allerton
Williams
Alcyone
Jackie Davis
Tony
Lexington
Dolemite
Protector
Corn Belt
Muscatine
Andrus Hambletonian
New York
Boston
Richhall
East
Major Wonder
Cedar Rapids
Vinton
Detroit
California
Joe Patchen II
Red Oak
Sioux City
Council Bluffs
Fort Dodge
Mason City
Marion
Waterloo
Oskaloosa
Dubuque
Davenport
Burlington
Peoria
Lockhart
Nutwood
Rubenstein
Ohio
Mene
Charley Williams
Buchanan County
I.C.R.R
Maxey Dobbs
Stout Brothers
Mr. Williams
Gedney
Arthur Huntington
Huntington