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Overview
In 1926, this quaint memorial park with a 45-ft granite monument was dedicated in memory of Tennessee's most famous harness racer, Edward 'Pop' Geers. Geers was born in Wilson County, Tennessee in 1851, but called Columbia his home. He won his first race at age 24 and four years later opened his own stable in Spring Hill, Tennessee. His first star was Mattie Hunter (2:12 1/2), who gave Geers his first world record in July 1879. In 1916, Geers broke the 2-minute mark with race horse Napoleon Direct (1:59 3/4). He drove many champions during the remainder of his career. Pop Geers died as a result of a racing accident at Wheeling, West Virginia on September 3, 1924, which, ironically, had been proclaimed "Geers Day" at the West Virginia State Fair.
