Almanac note · History and culture
Corona once turned Grand Boulevard into a famous race course
Corona's circular Grand Boulevard hosted major early auto races, drawing top drivers before safety concerns ended the tradition.
Corona’s Grand Boulevard is easy to spot because it makes a near-perfect circle around the older center of town. In the 1910s, that shape gave the city an unusual idea: turn the road into a race course.
The first major race came in 1913, with a big prize purse and well-known drivers of the day. The route sent cars around the circle again and again, with different races for lighter cars, heavier cars, and a long free-for-all. At a time when auto racing was still young, Corona managed to draw serious attention.
The city tried again in 1914 and improved the course with paving, fencing, and bridges. For a while, Grand Boulevard made Corona feel like a major stop in early car culture. The event mixed local pride, new machines, daring drivers, and the excitement of a town showing what it could host.
The racing era did not last. A severe 1916 crash helped end plans for future road races, and the city moved on. Grand Boulevard carries more story than its round shape suggests. It is a reminder that Corona once put itself on the map with speed, noise, crowds, and a very bold use of a city street.
Where to see it
Grand Boulevard's circular route around central Corona.
Official sources
Official source trail
Reviewed July 2, 2026
California Porch explains the path. The official source is still the place to confirm the current rule, fee, form, map, deadline, or office decision.
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Connected places
Where it fits on the map
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Related notes
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Grand Boulevard explains Corona's circle on the map
Corona's Grand Boulevard was planned as a circular road around the original townsite, later tied to early road races, citrus groves, rail access, and the city's move from South Riverside to Corona.
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