If the thought of careening downhill at an increasing speed with just a few old slats of wood separating your face from the road surface is exhilarating, then keep reading this! If you’re like me and think that scenario sounds terrifying, then keep reading, too.
While the Huffman Historic area is well-known for its roots in the Huffman family of Huffy bicycle fame, there is another wheeled contraption that enjoyed some fame just a few blocks east of the neighborhood. The steep Burkhardt Avenue hill hosted the first official soapbox derby race in 1934. Children from across the U.S. came to Dayton to compete in the race with their hand-built carts made from orange crates, soap boxes, and other salvaged items.
I’ve driven down Burkhardt hill in my car, and gravity does all the work. You could really fly in a soapbox car. Actually, the wind whipping through my hair sounds like a pretty good way to beat the humidity this summer — but I’m not sure I’d trust the brakes on those soapbox cars.
Read more about the soapbox derby history at the Dayton Area Sports History web site.
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