The Fair Grounds in New Orleans date back to the mid-19th century and are best known as the site of the Fair Grounds Race Course, one of the oldest continuously operating horse racetracks in the United States. Established in 1872, the grounds originally hosted agricultural fairs and horse racing and became a major social and sporting center for the city. Despite fires, economic changes, and damage from Hurricane Katrina, the Fair Grounds have endured and evolved, today serving not only as a racetrack but also as the home of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, making it a lasting cultural landmark in the city.
