Spectators line the track of the Soap Box Derby race on Burkhardt Avenue, c. 1934…

In 1933, over 40,000 spectators lined the three-eighths of a mile long track to watch the first ever Soap Box Derby Race. The success of that event spurred Myron Scott, the derby’s creator, to seek out event sponsorship from the Chevrolet Motor Company in Detroit. The following year, in 1934, the newly named All-American Soap Box Derby was a two-day event, with over 100 prizes awarded and more than 350 youngsters from over 33 cities around the country participating. The prizes ranged in value; including everything from small trophies to a motorized Custer car to a four-year college scholarship. This image, captured by photographer William Preston Mayfield, shows just a small part of the massive crowd of spectators who had gathered to watch the race that year along Burkhardt Avenue. Incidentally, this would be the last year the All-American Soap Box Derby would be held in Dayton. This photograph is from the William Preston Mayfield/Marvin Christian Collection at Dayton History.

To see other historical images from our collection, search our Digital Photo Archive.