WOYM: Early 19th century horse track likely located near downtown Salem
Saddle up. Time for another horseback ride into the mists of the past. Q: Loved the column about President Andrew Jackson and his visits to the Roanoke Valley. Regarding the reference to a thoroughbred racetrack in west Salem, where exactly was it? Carolyn Pillis Salem A: Locating the precise spot for the quarter-mile track founded by Mermaid Tavern proprietor Griffin Lamkin is educated guesswork. The Mermaid was identified by Norwood C. Middleton in his history of Salem as probably one of the ...
Source: roanoke.com