The Austin Farm & Barn, Fairfax, CA/Corbett vrs Choynski (May 1889)

[Caractacus]

was recently reading Jim J. Corbett's 1925 Autobiography THE ROAR OF THE CROWD
Does anyone here know if this Barn that was on the Austin Farm where they fought inside the loft still exists ?
or if not when it was torn down ?
It was the selected secret site of the first (professional) fight between Jim J. Corbett vrs Joe Choynski on May.30.1899.
They fought in the loft with about 100 people attending it (many of which were professional gamblers and buiseness men)
The fight was stopped in the Sixth round by the Sheriff
Reportedly the farm the barn was at was near Fairfax, Marin County California
( about Six miles back of San Rafael which had a train station)

[Caractacus]

Wonder also whatever became of the grain Barge (THE EXCEL)that the Corbett vrs Choynski fight happened on a short time afterwards in June 1889 ?
( for 28 rounds)
It was anchored out on the Southampton Bay just off of the town of Benicia.
Jim J. Corbett was staying at the Wilson Mizer Mansion in Benicia.
In old Downtown Benicia there is a historical marker on the Waterfront Trail near West 14th Street.
Check out this article about the famous Barge Battle.

http://beniciaheraldonline.com/benicias ... ize-fight/

http://visitbenicia.org/event/battle-on-the-barge-1889/

http://beniciaheraldonline.com/benicias ... t-of-1889/

[Ambling Alp II]

Thanks for posting this!

Have always been interested in the Corbett-Choynski rivalry. The fight on the barge was one of the most historically important fights in the early days of boxing.
I always found it interesting that neither fighter came from a poor background like so many fighters. They also later became friends.

[Caractacus]

Have you ever visited Benicia or Fairfax California ?
( there is a Historical sighn on West 14th street on the Waterfront Trail there in Benicia (Southampton Bay)
concerning the Barge fight.

[Ambling Alp II]

No, I have not. Interesting.

[Caractacus]

Maybe the Austin Farm Barn looked like one of these old Barns now in ruins.
If it could stage a prize ring with 200 people in it's loft he had to have been a pretty big barn.