The idea of a stock-car track in Beach Lake was born in the early 1950s and is a fine example of how a community came together to solve a financial problem. The volunteer fire company was always searching for new fundraising ideas, and in 1952 or 1953 they came up with the idea of running stock-car races. The first year, the races were run on Labor Day weekend on the quarter-mile “old track” near the Fire Hall. The event was such a success that in 1954 a bigger and better track was built on land owned by Ralph Van Gorder; the entrance to the speedway was opposite St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

An alliance between Van Gorder and the fire company created VanGorder’s Speedway, and the profits were split; by 1956 races were held weekly. The level of excitement was tremendous, as the overflow crowds filled the bleachers behind the wire fence every week. It was the most adrenalin-filled event locals could attend and provided 10 years of unsurpassed excitement.

Lawrence “Bones” Freiermuth (#97) donated the photo to the Wayne County Historical Society, 810 Main St., Honesdale, PA, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, see WayneHistoryPA.org or call 570/253-3240.