August 18, 1939, world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis purchased about 250 acres of land in Macomb County for $100,000 in what is now present day Utica. It was called Spring Hill Farm and Louis used it as a training camp, riding stable, and horse track.
Now River Bends Park, it will be the site of the Weekend Warrior Runfest Sunday, October 6. The Country Music-themed event will feature multiple race options, including a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1-mile, and a virtual run. Runners will have a chance to follow in the footsteps of the man they called the “Brown Bomber” and run like the champ did on the Joe Louis Trail. The paved course is sanctioned by USA Track and Field.
Louis was an avid equestrian. At a time of significant racial segregation, he organized what he called the first “All-Negro Horse Show” at his facility to open doors to the talented African American horsemen who were barred from participating in most competitions. A track was built at the bottom of the hill at Spring Hill Farm for horse shows. Bleachers were built too, and box seats were constructed on the south end of the track.
The house was renovated and made into a restaurant and nightclub. It became a hotspot for many citizens of the area and since Louis was the owner, family and friends of his would come the 24 miles from Detroit to eat, party, and watch the races.
The Champ fell on hard times financially and in 1944, most of the farm grounds were sold to the Michigan State Conservation Department and converted into a park. The remaining 18 acres, which included the restaurant and track, were bought by Louis’ long-term manager John Roxborough. January 22, 1973 the house at Spring Hill Farm caught on fire and was lost.
Spring Hill Farm was first owned by abolitionist Peter Lerich, who was a conductor for the underground railroad. He and his family provided escaped slaves with food, drink, and safety, until they could resume their journey north toward Canada via Port Huron under the cover of night.
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