Vintage Tipp

The Tippecanoe Historical Society mystery picture last week was taken at the Boone Hill Speedway racetrack off S. County Rd. 25A, in the area of the Root Beer Stand on the east side of the road. I have a newspaper clipping talking about an accident involving my parents. They were in the pit area talking to Bearl Thuma when a car left the track. It sideswiped my mom, bruising her from her shoulder to her foot. My dad fell face down with his stomach in a hole, so the car ran over him, but he only sustained a broken leg. Another lady was hurt very seriously. My sister, Judy, and I were at the movies downtown, and my Uncle Bill Hepfer, a flagman at the track, came and got us. Races were held there from the 50's to the mid 60's, and it was a great place to go.

That could have been Tipp's version of the "magnificent mile(s)". There was Desi's Motel on 25A and 571, Camp Troy trap shooting range and restaurant, the animal shelter, Simple Simon/Northmoor between Desi's Motel and Camp Troy, and the Drive-In Theater. Where Dare is now was built to be a skating rink that was very popular with Tipp kids and families. Unfortunately, we have very little information or pictures of some of these sites. If you have some you could share, please let me know by calling 937-698-6798. 

To see a short but great video of races at Boone Hill, visit website https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI900K_2MRk. The video was prepared by Tipp Sky Guy.

The museum is now open on Saturdays from 10-2. The phone number is 937-667-4092.