The Story of this Abandoned Place in Hillsborough, North Carolina is Truly Fascinating

Whether you are a seasoned urbex or just a casual explorer of abandoned places in North Carolina there is one place you simply must go. The Occoneechee Speedway is being reclaimed by nature and has been repurposed as a hiking trail, but in its heyday, it was vitally important to the rise of NASCAR. Rugged and worn, this quiet slice of history is left vacant aside from the occasional hiker. S,o lace up your hiking boots to traverse the ghosts of the past at this abandoned racetrack. 

The rumbling of tires churning up dirt, racers white-knuckling the steering wheel jocking for the position, and the roar of the crowd have all faded into the history books in Hillsborough, North Carolina. What is left are just the bones of a race track that gave our country a taste pedal to the metal fun. The need for speed is a story that is as old as time but as for NASCAR, that actually started in 1948.

The founder of NASCAR, Bill France, noticed a horse track in his plane one day and thought to himself that it would make a great location for some stock car racing. He acquired the land and expanded it to make for a one-mile-long dirt raceway. This all happened three months before NASCAR was organized, and in 1949, the Occoneechee Speedway opened for race day. 

The track saw plenty of races for twenty years, but then all went quiet. Lawmakers made it illegal to race on Sundays so the area was left vacant. The fans faded away and the only thing that was left was the ghosts of the past echoing into the present day. Thirty years after a group of preservationists acquired the land and opened it up as a hiking trail. As you explore the path you can find old cars left and forgotten along the dirt track.

The stands and associated buildings are a must-see while exploring this historic area. You can almost imagine what it was like in those early years to see the race and to be a part of something that ended up becoming such a huge sport. You can even explore one of the buildings that is left standing.

Take a walk through history at one of the most fascinating abandoned places in North Carolina. Stepping back in time to see the old cars left to be reclaimed by nature and enjoy the nostalgia of this gem in motorsports. To help aid you on your journey make sure to download the AllTrails app which is a must-have tool on any hike I do. 

For all you history buffs, here are 15 facts about North Carolina’s history you may not know.