Pioneer was the first race course in San Francisco.[3] At the time that it was built, no streets existed in the neighborhood. After construction, it appears to have been bounded by 24th St. (formerly Park St.), 26th St. (formerly Navy St.), Capp St., and Florida St.[4]
It was funded and built by local businessmen George Treat and his brother John Treat.[5] The racetrack was physically built by Alfred Green.[6]
The race course was sold to the San Francisco Homestead Association in 1862 (or 1863) for $500 per acre, but would be worth $20,000 per acre within a decade.[7] Lots within the property were auctioned in 1864. Early houses built within the property are now part of the Shotwell Street historic district,[8] and another house within the property may be the oldest remaining home building in San Francisco.[9]