On this spot, twenty-three sports cars started the first road race in the United States after World War II on October 2, 1948, beginning a racing era at Watkins Glen and across the country. Sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America, sponsored by the village of Watkins Glen, and watched by an estimated 5,000 spectators, it was the first closed-circuit race in the country after World War II to be run on public roads. The 6.6 mile course began here on Franklin Street, climbed Old Corning Hill Road to the White House esses, crossed a plateau to School House Corner, descended to Cornett’s Stone Bridge, wound over oiled gravel to Archie Smith’s dirt corner, ran to the railroad crossing where the New York Central held trains for the races, and returned by a long descent into the village to Franklin Street. After four laps, fifteen cars qualified for the eight-lap main event, and eleven finished the race. In 1952, the final year the circuit was used, more than one hundred entrants took part.