In 1912, Lakewood was a leading stop on the auto racing circuit with the Tacoma Speedway. The track, incorporating what is today's Clover Park Tech College, attracted the top names in auto racing of the day - Oldfield, Rickenbacker, DePalma, Cooper and others. The first track was five miles of dirt road that ran on Steilacoom Blvd to Gravelly Lake Dr to 111th Street to Lakeview Avenue and back to the start. The tract was modified several times during its lifetime. To commemorate this historic structure and local activities, in 2002 the Lakewood Historical Society created the plaque that can be seen today near Building 3 on the CPTC campus. The marker includes additional information about the race course. The Lakewood History Museum, 6211 Mt. Tacoma Dr SW in Lakewood, features considerable information on the racetrack. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4 pm.
