The Lost Trotting Parks Storyboard Archives

The Lost Trotting Parks Storyboard Archives

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Ice Racing on Tripp Lake in Poland, Maine -- Horsemen from Lisbon Falls and Mechanics Falls

According to Clayton Smith, ice racing was usually held
on weekends -- often on Sundays. Races were one-quarter
mile dashes. Best times ranged between 28 to 30 seconds
a quarter. Many dashes were between 32 and 34 seconds.


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

C.H. Nelson and the Civil War

Today I visited the Maine State Archives following a brief conversation with Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., Director and Maine State Historic Preservation Officer. My goal was to find additional information on C.H. Nelson's Civil War service. The staff at the Archives' Research Room was most helpful guiding me through the microfiche and books that recounted regimental histories.


At the age of 19 Nelson enlisted in Company G, the 19th Infantry Regiment. He enlisted on August 1, 1862, mustered August 25, 1862, and left the service March 13, 1863. His service dates for this enlistment placed him in the New Orleans Campaign. Fifty two Maine men were killed or died of wounds and 239 died of disease. Nelson was discharged to a hospital at Fort Schuyler, NY. He had contracted phthisis (TB). 


Nelson recovered from his bout with TB and reinlisted February 2, 1865. He mustered on February 23, 1865. This enlistment was in Company F, the 12th Infantry Regiment. During this enlistment he served in the Appomattox Campaign. He was honorable discharged March 3, 1866 in Savannah, Georgia.


Not a surprise, Nelson's occupation in the army was that of a teamster.


Given his weakened health as a result of his war service, Nelson credited his choice to work as a farmer and horseman as the remedy that returned to him his health and strength after the war.

A Heat in the Johnston for 2:24 Trotters at Lexington -- 1906

Friday, June 10, 2011

Maine Sire Stakes Champions Added to Classicfamilies.net

John Peck, editor of Harness Racing International and Classicfamilies.net informed me by e-mail today that the Maine Sire Stakes Champions and their pedigrees have been added to the Classic Families Database. To accomplish this entry more than 1060 new horses with pedigrees were added. Classic Families is now a free service. Check out Classicfamilies.net. The Maine Sire Stakes data can be found under Classic Races.

You can also check out the pedigree of Nelson 4209

George H. Bailey (Horseman, Artist, Writer, Veterinarian) Both Praised and Defended Nelson


Readfield's Lost Trotting Park

Thursday, June 9, 2011

1939 Aerials of Kennebec County courtesy of the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District

Today, Dale Finseth took time from his 
busy schedule to help me sort through
aerial photos of Kennebec County.
The purpose of this exercise was to see
if any of the 1939 aerial photographs
contained halos of Kennebec County's Lost
Trotting Parks. E-Mail me at lifework50@gmail.com
if you can identify these locations.