Horse Auction at Windsor Fairgrounds Monday, October 26, 2009

The auction of Maine Sire Stakes Horses featured Maine Sire Stakes Eligible Yearlings, Weanlings, 2 and 3 Year Olds and Broodmares.

Trotters on the Kennebec

Hallowell Register, January, 1906 --

"The ice track has been cleared on the Kennebec and all horsemen are cordially invited to "try out" their steeds on the enticing surface." Kennebec Central Driving Club sponsored Thursday races such as the free-for-all, .29 trot and .33 pace on the half-mile by 80 foot wide racetrack. Prizes were awarded in bushel of oats and betting was discouraged. "No money is to be made . . . . the ardent wish of all concerned." Competitors came primarily from Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner with horses named "Billy J", "Gray Pointer", "Miss Greywood", and "Chub". Races started at 2:00 p.m. sharp (no waits for late comers), the free-for-all being first, with "Bike" sulkies debarred from the course. January ice race brought exciting time to Hallowell during the down days of winter.

Courtesy of Sam Webber, Historian, Hallowell, Maine.

Sylvan Park -- Machias' Later Trotting Park

Sylvan Park -- Machias' second trotting park (Google Maps Aerial View)

Riverside Park -- Machias, Maine (Endangered)

Riverside Park in Machias was built around 1860. According to current owner of the property, Chris Sprague, the clay track was considered the fastest track in Maine. Today the location of the track is threatened by being flooded. There are plans by environmentalists to remove dikes and flood this area. Chris Sprague is in the process of revitalizing the track in order to exercise horses.

-- Images courtesy of Chris Sprague, Machias, Maine --

Riverside Park -- Machias

Aerial view of location of Riverside Park in Machias, Maine (Google Maps).

Anson Maine Trotting Park

Click to see Google Maps aerial view of the trotting park in Anson, Maine.

In 1848 was incorporated the West Somerset Society, the show of which was held alternately at Madison and Anson. Within a year or two they have purchased and enclosed grounds at Anson, and the exhibitions are well attended. The North Somerset, which completes the list, was incorporated in 1856.

"This Society now embraces 223 members, 31 new ones having been added during the past year. Its Annual Exhibition was held at Anson, on the 3d and 4th days of October.
Since our Show last year, this Society has made rapid progress. We have secured a show ground and trotting park upon a beautiful spot of twenty acres, well enclosed with a high fence, permanent fixtures for stock, and one of the best trotting tracks in the State.

From the DAILY KENNEBEC JOURNAL --
Track and Stable Gossip.
Fred D. Moore of North Anson has sold his mare, Lena S (by Cylex) to Harlow of Boston.

The North Anson Trotting Association has purchased the West Somerset Agricultural Grounds and will have some good trots here this season.

One of the finest brood mares in North Anson is the dark bay mare owned by Geroge Flint. She is by Fred boone by Daniel Boone, dam by Wilkes Knox by Gilbreth Know. This mare is eight years old and stands 15.2. Mr. Flint raised her and she has been bred four times to St. Croix and in every instance getting fine colts. Here first product was St. Croix Jr, (2.19 3.4) as a four-year-0ld.

Article Courtesy of Neplains, Inc.

-- Notes from the Anson Historical Society (Emily Quint)
There was a trotting park in the Anson village and in the North Anson village - both are legally Anson. Between 1945-1855 they were legally separate towns. So I'm assuming you're looking for the south Anson village trotting park that is now an apartment complex.

The North Anson trotting park is on the 1883 map (page 8) of the Old Maps of Southern Somerset County Maine in 1883. It is in the upper right hand corner of the map (cemetery and park (trotting park) are near. The current Carrabec High School is located on the trotting park property. Kenton Quint donated the property for the school.

Camden Trotting Park Association

This year the Camden Trotting Park, owned by the Camden Trotting Park Association, opened with a most successful celebration on July 4. This park has an excellent half mile track, and is the only park in the state having a sub-way entrance. It has since been the scene of. many successful celebrations and races and for a number of years several successful and interesting fairs were held there. 1901/1902

Taken from History of Camden and Rockport, Maine By Reuel Robinson 1907

Canton Maine Trotting Track

This Google Map image shows an aerial view of location of a trotting track in Canton, Maine. According to the Wallace's Yearbook authorized races were held in Canton between 1885 and 1930.

DAILY KENNEBEC JOURNAL, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1915

ABOUT 9000 PEOPLE ATTEND CANTON FAIR

Rumford, Me., Sept. 24. -- An attendance of 9000 at the Canton fair Thursday listened to music by the girls' band and the boys' band of Rumford and saw some exciting races. The five-mile motorcycle races was won by Turner of Wiscasset in 6 minutes 20 seconds.

The Harness Racing Summary:

GREEN HORSE RACE -- PURSE $100
Togo (Richards) . . . . . . . 1 1 1
Slow Joe (Gammon) . . . . . . 2 2 2
Alien Bell (Childs). . . . . .3 3 3
Traveler (Snow) . . . . . . . 4 4 4
Time -- 2.31 3-4, 2.29 3-4, 2.25 1-2

2.20 CLASS, MIXED -- Purse $150
Dexter R. (Archibald) . . . . 1 1 1
American Blossom (Tarbox). . .2 2 4
Babe Himore (Metcalf) . . . . 5 3 2
Alfred Nelson (Briggs) . . . .4 4 3
Donald L. Also Started
Time -- 2.20 1-4, 2.20 1-4, 2.31 3-4

2.20 TROT AND 2.25 PACE PURSE $150
Ralph Wilkes (Jordan) . . . . 1 2 1 1
Bon Ami (Hayden) . . . . . . .3 1 2 2
Peter Pan (Wilkins) . . . . . 2 3 3 3
Chester B . . . . . . . . . . 4 4 4 4
Time -- 2.21 1-2, 2.20 1-4, 2.21 1-2, 2.22 1-2

Article courtesy of Neplains, Inc.

Cherryfield Trotting Park

Click to see an aerial view from Bing of the trotting park located in Cherryfield, Maine.

The Google Maps aerial view provides an outline of the track with an old mapping of Park Street.

The Cherryfield trotting park held authorized almost every year between 1904 and 1930.

Daily Kennebec Journal, Thursday, September 14, 1916

FAST TRACK AND EXCITING RACES AT CHERRYFIELD

Cherryfield, Me., Sept. 13 --
The West Washington County Fair opened Tuesday with an attendance of about 2000 persons, good weather and a fast track. The races were all exciting with bunched finishes in nearly every heat. When swinging into the stretch the first heat of the 1.18 Class, the roan gelding Lucky Baldwin, owned by Charles Co___ of Calais and driven by Walter Haley., who was leading the field, suddenly, slowed up and fell dead on the track of heart disease. The horse was a well-known campaigner by Vassar, with a mark of 2.19.

Article courtesy of Neplains, Inc.

Trotting Park in Bridgton Maine -- Outline of Possible Track Behind Hospital

Authorized trotting races were held for many years between 1885 and 1930. Take a look at the Google Map image? Was the former track located behind the hospital in Bridgton?

Daily Kennebec Journal -- Friday, August 16, 1918 --

3000 SEE THE BRIDGTON RACES
Bridgton, ME., Aug. 15 -- More than 3000 saw the races Wednesday at the annual fair. Parlor, owned and driven by James Hennessey of Boston, outclassed the 2.30 stake field. Cheerful Charlie won the opening heat of the fast class, when Mud Lake came along in front in the next two, this even being carried over to Thursday along with the 2.25 class,with Miss Eva twice a heat winner.

2.12 Class, Mixed Purse $300, Unfinished -- Mud Lake (Schuman) won two heats; Cheerful Charlie (Johnson) won one heat. Best time, 2.16 1/4 by Cheerful Charlie

2.30 Trot, Purse $350 -- won by Parion (Hennessey); Peter Jay (Mayberry) second; Russ W. (Jack) third.

2.25 Class, Mixed, Purse $250, Unfinished -- Miss Eva (Carpenter), won two heats; The Lassie (Whitredge) finished second in each. Best time, 2.19 1/4 by Miss Eva.

Article courtesy of Neplains, Inc.

Trotting Park at Lee, Maine

From History of Lee, Maine by George J. Varney 1886 --
Lee is a small town in the eastern part of Penobscot County, on what is called the “Upper Route" twm Bangor to Calais, 60 miles from each city. It is bounded on the north by Winn, east by Springfield, and west b Lincoln. Much of the hind is of excellent quality, and bore originally a dense growth of the hard woods, with hemlock, spruce and pine. In the southern part of the town are several ponds, the largest being Mattakeunk (area, 1,000 acres) and Ware ponds, the head of the Passadunmkeag Stream. Lee village, the chief centre of business, is situated on Mattakeunk Stream, near the pond of the same name, where there is a good water-power. There are here two sawmills—one a board, shingle and grist-mill, a tannery, and wheel, tinware, and furniture factories. Near the village is a good trotting park, where fairs are held. The nearest railroad station is that of the European and North AmericanRailway at Lincoln village, 12 miles west of Lee village.
From Noted Maine Horses, Volume 1 by John Wallace Thompson --
Gen. Jackson – Dapple brown stallion, with small blaze in face, 15 ½ hands high, and weights 1000 pounds, foaled May 14, 1868, bred by Ira C. Harmon, Lee, Me., got by Humphrey horse, he by Sherman Black Hawk, dam, Nellie, by Col. Crockett, he by Old Col. Crockett. July 4, 1873, at the Lee Trotting Park, in a race with Paddy, he won in straight heats, the fastest being 2.53. Afterwards a match was made between them and trotted at Bangor, in which Gen. Jackson was beaten, being in an unfit condition. Mr. Harmon sold him, in the fall of 1873 to Fred Jordan, of Old Town.

Click this link to see the former location of the Lee Trotting Park today!

Additional research on the Lee Trotting Park will be completed within the next year.

Trotting Park at Lee, Maine

From History of Lee, Maine by George J. Varney 1886 --

Lee is a small town in the eastern part of Penobscot County, on what is called the “Upper Route" twm Bangor to Calais, 60 miles from each city. It is bounded on the north by Winn, east by Springfield, and west b Lincoln. Much of the hind is of excellent quality, and bore originally a dense growth of the hard woods, with hemlock, spruce and pine. In the southern part of the town are several ponds, the largest being Mattakeunk (area, 1,000 acres) and Ware ponds, the head of the Passadunmkeag Stream. Lee village, the chief centre of business, is situated on Mattakeunk Stream, near the pond of the same name, where there is a good water-power. There are here two sawmills—one a board, shingle and grist-mill, a tannery, and wheel, tinware, and furniture factories. Near the village is a good trotting park, where fairs are held. The nearest railroad station is that of the European and North AmericanRailway at Lincoln village, 12 miles west of Lee village.

From Noted Maine Horses, Volume 1 by John Wallace Thompson --

Gen. Jackson – Dapple brown stallion, with small blaze in face, 15 ½ hands high, and weights 1000 pounds, foaled May 14, 1868, bred by Ira C. Harmon, Lee, Me., got by Humphrey horse, he by Sherman Black Hawk, dam, Nellie, by Col. Crockett, he by Old Col. Crockett. July 4, 1873, at the Lee Trotting Park, in a race with Paddy, he won in straight heats, the fastest being 2.53. Afterwards a match was made between them and trotted at Bangor, in which Gen. Jackson was beaten, being in an unfit condition. Mr. Harmon sold him, in the fall of 1873 to Fred Jordan, of Old Town.

Little Rigby Park -- Casco, Maine

Click to see Google Maps image of the location of what once was Little Rigby Park. Although trotting occurred on this half mile track, the park was mostly known for its fairs. Trotting races authorized by one of the national trotting association were held at this park between 1912 and 1916.

In the early 1900's Cyrus Mayberry raised race horses and built a 300 foot long barn with horse stalls and an indoor riding rink. Mayberry with others formed an association to build a fairgrounds and half mile dirt trotting track. The association purchased land at Pike's Corner in Casco to build the fairgrounds. Annual fairs were held beginning in the early 1900s. The fairs were held in early September and lasted three days.

Today, Casco hosts a very successful Casco Day that is well attended.

Details were initially authored by Casco resident, Leona Hall. This information was given to me through a telephone interview with Gilbert Avery.

New Gloucester Fairgrounds -- Fair still held each year without harness racing

Click here to see Google Maps aerial view of the fairgrounds!

Cumberland Fair 2009

Google Maps aerial view of the Cumberland Fairgrounds!

Maine State Agricultural Society 1895 Poster (Lewiston, Maine)

The location of the Lewiston Fairgrounds can be seen on this Google Map. The fairgrounds is surrounded by Mollison Way and King Avenue. The fairgrounds is now an industrial park.

1907 Litho of the Acton Fair

Google Maps view of Action Fair today!
For historical information regarding the Acton Fair, read the post on the Shapleigh Track.

The 1/2 Mile Track in Shapleigh

This information comes from the History of Acton 1980.

The Shapleigh and Acton Agricultural Society was organized on June 16, 1866. The first fair and cattle show was held on October 16-17 at Acton Corner. At a meeting June 1, 1867 it was voted to hold the fair in Shapleigh that year and that the members of the Society in Shapleigh prepare a track for testing the speed of horses at their own expense. At a meeting on November 16, 1867 a committee reported on two possible places for a permanent place for the fairgrounds. One piece of land of James H. Hurd on the road leading between the ponds, near the town line dividing Shapleigh from Acton contained about 30 acres which could be bought for $150. The other lot in Acton owned by David Dame containing 15 acres which he would sell for $150.

On August 27, 1868 the committee was authorized to contract to build a trotting course with suitable buildings for holding the fair in Acton for the present year and members to have the same privileges of building in Shapleigh for next year and alternately each town for the next 10 years, with the Society having the right to purchase said trait and buildings at any time the Society may vote to purchase same. The fair was held in Acton on October 20-22, 1868. It was held at Shapleigh Corner October 19-21, 1869 and again in 1871. On November 2, 1871 a meeting was held at the Baptist Church in Emery Mills in regard to buying up Shapleigh and Acton lots and purchasing a Central lot. The David Dame land at Rogers Corner was examined - 1/2 tract without grading and 1/2 with grading, west side, $150. There was a great diversity of feeling with the owners of the two parks. The 8th Annual Fair was held in Shapleigh on October 14-16, 1873 and the 9th in Acton on October 13-15, 1874. The records are missing from 1874 to 1889.

Thats all that I have found - my only concern is that when I read the description of the James Hurd land, I'm not positive it is what we now call Shapleigh Corner. It appears that it might have been where the intersection of Routes 11 and 109 meet at the foot of Mousam. Click to see a Google Maps aerial view of this track's location. In the woods, you will see the faint outline of a 1/2 mile track. An authorized race was held on this track in 1875.

Courtesy of the Acton Shapleigh Historical Society -- Debbie Peterson

Sunnyside 1920 through 1940

Sunnyside Farm was foreclosed upon by the City of Waterville due to delinquent taxes. The A.F. Hutchinson Land Company from Portland acquired the property and designed Nelson Heights. In 1924 Fred Hallett purchased the lots with the home and barns. This property was then known as the Flagg Farm. The posted image is cropped from the Nelson Heights Plans and shows the lots purchased. At a later date, the property was sold to a party named Violette. The house was torn down around 1955.

Capital Park -- Augusta, Maine

Today Augusta's Police Station and new YMCA stand upon the ground where trotting races were once held at Augusta Park. The park was built in the 1850's but became a victim of the times and was converted to a general recreational park in the 1920's. By clicking on the image, you will see an early postcard depicting the trotting park and a racing program from 1894.

Sunnyside Farm -- Proprieter Charles Horace Nelson 1882 to 1915

After many months of researching deeds, city maps, and other documents, we found Sunnyside. In the end, it was through networking that we found most of our answers. Sunnyside Farm was a trotting horse stock farm owned by Charles Horace Nelson. He owned the farm from 1882 until his death in 1915. Today the land where a fine residence with three horse barns once stood is located between Nelson Street and Carver Street off Kennedy Memorial Drive (formerly the Oakland R0ad) in Waterville, Maine. Bernie Butler, who was born on Sawyer Street in the 1930's, has provided us with key information. His cousin, Bill Flagg, actually lived in an apartment in the residence. In the 1930s into the 1940s, the property was owned by Fred Hallett. According to Bill, the property was known to be the Nelson Farm. To the right of the residence was a large barn. As a child, Bill was told that the barn was once a large stable for horses. The barn was converted into a garage.

Sunnyside Farm was the home of the champion trotting stallion, Nelson, the last horse to hold the world high wheel trotting record. This famous horse was named to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in 1994. Nelson is the only Maine bred/trained horse to earn such high distinction. Nelson's fastest time was 2.09 which he trotted at Rigby Park in South Portland, Maine. Image of Hod Nelson courtesy of Neplains, Inc.

Sunnyside Farm -- Residence & Location

Maine's Official Race Dates and Places

This compilation of Maine's Official Race Dates and Places identifies the locations of Maine's lost trotting parks. Click on this image and it will become full-sized. Data excerpted from Harness Racing Images through Postcards and other Memorabilia. Courtesy of George F. Petredean. If you have information regarding one of the trotting parks listed here please contact Stephen Thompson by e-mailing lifework@gmail.com or call 207-242-7774.

Rigby Park -- South Portland Maine -- Now lost to an industrial park! Nelson at his best 2.09!

Maine Fairs 1907

This week I visited the Colby College Library to obtain copies of the obituaries of Charles Horace Nelson, Emma Nelson, and the horse Nelson. On September 10, 1907, the Central Maine Fair honored Nelson and his horse. Nelson Day as it was called was a huge success. In fact, Nelson Day made the front page headline for the September 11th Issue of the Waterville Sentiental. In addition, the September 11th issue provided a list of Maine Fairs. The list follows:

Aug. 15-17 -- Cornish Fair Association, Cornish; August 15-17 -- Waldo County Fair, Belfast; August 22-25 -- Easter Maine State Fair, Bangor; August 29-31 -- Orrington Fair Association, Orrington; August 29-31 -- Princeton Agricultural Association, Princeton; August 29 - Sept 1 -- Central Maine State Fair, Waterville; August 29-Sept 1 -- Houlton Fair, Houlton; Sept 4-7 -- Maine Agricultural Fair, Lewiston; Sept 5-7 -- North Penobscot Fair Association, Springfield; Sept 5-8 -- Northern Maine Fair Association, Presque Isle; Sept 14-14 -- Waldo and Penobscot Fair Associatoin, Monroe; Sept 12-14 -- West Washington Fair Association, Cherryfield; Sept 12-14 -- Oxford County Agricultural Association, South Paris; August 12-14 -- Aroostook County Fair Association, Caribou; Sept 12-14 Eden Town Fair, Eden; Sept 16 -- Embden Fair Association; Embden; Sept 19-25 -- Unity Park Association, Unity; Sept 15-21 -- Cumberland County Fair Association, Gorham; Sept 19-21 -- North Franklin Fair Association, Phillips; Sept 19-21 -- Androscoggin Valley Agricultural Association, Canton; Sept 19-21 -- Machias Valley Agricultural, Machias; Sept 26 -- Richmond Farmers' Club, Richmond; Sept 26-28 -- Lincoln County Agricultural Association, Damariscotia; Sept 26-28 -- North Knox Agricultural Association, Union; Sept 26-28 -- West Oxford Agricultural Association, Fryeburg; Sept 27 -- Cochmewagan Agricultural Association, Monmouth; Sept 27-28 -- Cumberland Farmers' Club, West Cumberland; Sept 27-28 -- Grangers' Fair Association, Saco; Sept 28-29 -- Northern Oxford Fair Association, Andover; Oct 3 -- Greene Town Fair Association, Greene; Oct 3-5 -- New Gloucester and Danville Fair Association, Upper Gloucester; Oct 3-5 -- Bristol Agricultural Association, Bristol; Oct 3-5 -- East Somerset Agricultural Association, Hartland; Oct 4 -- Tranquility Grange Agricultural Association, Lincolnville; Oct 10-12 -- Sagadahoc County Fair Association, Topsham; Oct 12-14 -- Four County Fair Association, Pittsfield; Nov 14-16 Maine State Pomological , Portland; Nov 22-24 -- Freeport Poultry Association, Freeport; Dec 3-6 -- Shapleigh and Acton Fair Association, Acton; Dec 5-7 -- York County Poultry Association, Sanford; Dec 12-15 -- Maine State Poultry, Portland; Jan 2-4 -- Western Maine Poultry Association, South Paris; Jan 17-19 -- Bangor Poultry Association, Bangor; No Dates Set -- Solon Fair Association, Solon -- Piscataquis County Fair Association, Foxcroft -- Somerset County Agricultural Association, Anson -- Calais Fair Association, Calais -- Berwick Poultry Association, Berwick -- North Ellsworth Farmers' Club, North Ellsworth -- Bridgton Agricultural Association, Bridgton -- Little Rigby Park Association, Casco -- South Kennebec Agricultural Association, Windsor.

These fairs represent an era in the State of Maine that may soon be forgotten. Within the next year, these communities will be contacted to see if we can gather any details or images that will show activities at these events. If you or someone you know can help us in this endeavor, please e-mail Stephen Thompon at lifework50@gmail.com or call 207-242-7774.

Trotting Park in Exeter Maine

Brucine in action as a four year-old. Won First Premium at the West Penobscot Agricultural Society's Fair. Also won First Premium at the Central Maine Fair in 1912.

Trotting Park in Exeter, Maine!

Click here to see Google Maps image of the lost trotting park in Exeter. Look closely and you will see the outline of the track above the Exeter Road.

Wyman Park 1924

The first Hancock County Fair with harness racing was held at Wyman Park in Ellsworth, Maine in 1924. This link will take you to an an aerial view of land at the end of Fairgrounds Road in Ellworth. The image at right is an image of a 1924 poster promoting the fair. (Source for image unknown)

1935 Map of Waterville -- Fire Protection

This map is the plan outlying districts show fire protection and pool locations in the city of Waterville -- Developed May 10, 1935. Follow the Oakland Road and note the location of the Penney Hill Farm. Hod Nelson purchased and sold property along the Oakland Road from 1882 through 1904. Financial issues arose after the death of Hod's trotting stallion, Nelson in 1909. Foreclosure started in 1910 and continued through the deaths of both Hod and Emma until 1916.

Finding Sunnyside Farm (Waterville, Maine)

There is little photographic evidence of the location of Sunnyside Farm off the Oakland Road in Waterville, Maine. This illustration presents questions and information that we have found that will eventually lead us to Sunnyside Farm. A deed document describing the Inland Hospital property states that the property was the Baldic Farm and formerly Sunnyside. However, this location is more than 1.5 miles from the train station and only accounts for 22 acres. Join us as we pursue Sunnyside. Researchers working on this project include staff of the Redington Museum, Anne Palmer, Ann Beverage, Donna Trombley, Clark Thompson, and Stephen Thompson. Click the image in this post to see the illustration in full view. The comments associated with this post provide details of real estate transactions and foreclosures related to the Nelson properties.

The Trotting Park in Pittsfield Maine (located by today's airport)

Notes on Horse Racing in Pittsfield [from the book Pittsfield on the Sebasticook, which can be read on the Pittsfield Historical Society web site.

In June of this year (1893), Col. Morrill purchased the old Pittsfield Driving Park from J. E. Connor and Isaac Lancey. “The Colonel intends to make extensive repairs,” the announcement of the purchase stated, “building stalls, judges’ stand, seats for the spectators, improving the track, repairing the fences, and opening up a road from the park to Peltoma Avenue.”

The opening ceremonies were held in August and it was a great day for Col. Morrill, the new Union Park that had been practically idle for twenty years, and for the racing enthusiasts throughout the area. Special trains were run into Pittsfield, bringing one of the largest crowds ever seen at the Park.

The feature of the day was a ladies’ carriage race, the first in Maine. There was considerable doubt expressed when the event was first announced, but Morrill went through with it and it was a sensational success. He was later asked to put on a similar race at the other fairs in Maine and was invited to sponsor one in New Hampshire. It was the beginning of many “firsts” for Col. Morrill in his chosen field.

The careers of these two colorful personalities took divergent paths as the years rolled on. Dr. Drake, for personal reasons, probably financial, very shortly sold Early Bird to a Boston horse fancier, later sold his entire racing stock, and his beautiful estate, including his lovely home and his 450 acre farm.

The Hathorn Stable housing his thoroughbreds was afterward moved to the north side of the R. R. tracks where it housed the Eastern Maine Grain Co. for years and [later was] the home of the Wirthmore Feed Co. The inscription “Home of Early Bird” still shows through the paint on the west end of the building.

Pittsfield Advertiser, 1918 edition front page "Race Driven by Women," Col. Walter G. Morrill's Union Park race track.

He has owned some 50 race horses and he is today the oldest track devotee in the state. He was the first man to offer a purse of $1,000; first to stage a ladies’ race; and the first man to pay out a grand total of $100,000 in purses. He is the holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor for most distinguished gallantry in action, being the only man who left Maine as a private during the Civil War and came home in command of a regiment.

Col. Morrill was the first Maine man to put two horses into the 2.30 class, Surprise in 2.28 and Cammons[Connors?] in 2.25. The first race he staged was at Dexter on July 4, 1876. He then sponsored races in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, Skowhegan, Fairfield, Gardiner, Pittsfield and Waterville as well as at Lewiston, Topsham, Springvale, Rochester, N. H., and Brockton, Mass.

Guest of Honor

Pittsfield Advertiser, 1932

The Otis M. Vining Post feels that in dedicating September 2nd, the biggest day of Booster Week, to Colonel Walter G. Morrill, it is not only paying a tribute to Pittsfield’s oldest and most widely known Civil War veteran, but also is honoring a man that will go down in the horse racing history of the country as the premier horseman in America. Col. Morrill has paid out more money in purses to winning race drivers than any man in the country, and we as veterans challenge anyone to produce a man with his record, both in war and in sport.

Information provided by Tom Brown, Pittsfield Historical Society