Topographical Maps from the the Map Collection at UNH confirms location of Yarmouth's Lost Trotting Park

Yarmouthville -- "When the Horse was King" -- Yarmouth's Lost Trotting Park

1891 -- C.H. Nelson Considers Moving His Operation to Freeport, Illinois

Trotting in Boston -- 1856

Charter Oak Park -- Alcryon Defeats Nelson -- 1889

During the age of "When the Horse was King,"
Charter Oak Park in West Hartford, Connecticut,

was a Grand Circuit Trotting Track. In 1889,

Alcryon defeated Nelson. Nelson won the first
heat by ten lengths. Alcryon won the next

three heats. C.H. Nelson blamed the lost on his
horse's lack of conditioning. Others blamed Nelson's
driver. Newspaper accounts indicated that there were
excessive starts. The starter was known to have his favorites.

According to a 1917 map, Charter Oak Park became the fairgrounds

of the Connecticut Fairgrounds Association. The track and

fairgrounds were still visible in aerial photographs

taken in 1934. Today, the land is the home to BJ's, Home Depot,

a Colt Manufacturing Plant, an armory, a Goodrich Tire Plant,

and a playground with soccer fields and tennis courts.

The only reminder of its former use is one street named

Charter Oak Boulevard.

Charter Oak Park Today -- West Hartford, Connecticut

Charter Oak Park in its day was one of the leading tracks

in the United States. All the famous horses and horseman

raced on this track. The track was still visible in 1934.

The track became park of the Connecticut Fairground

Association. Charlie Doe and I visited the track's location

on February 23, 2011. The location is now home to

businesses including BJ's, Home Depot, Colt Manufacturing,

and a Goodrich Tire Plant. On the back side away from

New Park Avenue, you will find an Armory and a recreation

park that contains tennis courts and soccer fields.

The only hint of the location's rich history is a small street

named Charter Oak Boulevard.

Google Earth Image of Charter Oak Boulevard

Charter Oak Park -- West Hartford, Connecticut -- Grand Circuit Track

I appreciate John Lawrence's help finding the

websites with these public domain images.

Spirit of the Times, August 23, 1845 -- Lady Suffolk

To read these storyboards,

 it is recommended that you enlarge them (Ctrl + +)

Don't Die a Fool, Come and see us -- The Greatest Fair on Earth

According to Greg Wilkinson, this
ad is pre-1900. At some point we'll

locate the newspaper with the ad

and details on the Fair and Exhibition.

1896 Topographical Map of Casco, Maine

Raceway Engraving from 1894 Premium Book -- Maine State Fair at Lewiston

This may be an engraving of Lewiston Raceway in the 1894. 

Hopefully, one of our readers may be able to identify the location.

Premium Covers -- Maine State Fairs -- Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Augusta

Nancy Hanks Trade Card at Neplains

For Sale at Neplains.com

Alix Trade Card at Neplains

John R Gentry Trade Card at Neplains

Nancy Hanks Trade Card at Neplains

Little Rigby Park Yesterday and Today

Enter 'Little Rigby' into blog's search box for earlier posts.

Images of Little Rigby Park courtesy of Greg Wilkinson

Is this the halo of Harmony's Lost Trotting Park?

Lost Trotting Parks -- Dover -- Hartland -- Kingfield -- Madison

Images Courtesy of Greg Wilkinson -- Auburn, Maine

Portland Agricultural Society -- Summit View Park -- One of Portland's Lost Trotting Parks

Images courtesy of Greg Wilkinson, Auburn, Maine

West Washington Agricultural Society -- Joneboro's Lost Trotting Park

Debbie Sliva Violette Poses Alternative Location for Robinson's Trotting Park

An Oversight

If you go to the December 17, 2010 post on

Robinson's trotting park, you will see a

circular track titled Race Course.
This is the property owned by Ed Sliva.
On the 1857 map, the property is listed

as owned by G.M. Robinson.

The Estates of Alan Lambard 1879 -- Howard/Williams Streets and Eastern Avenue/Hospital Street