The Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center -- Storyboard Archives

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Spirit of the Times -- 1900 -- The First Yachting Edition

Throughout the next three months readers will

see the gentlemen's world through the images

and text of the Spirit of the Times and the
Spirit of the Times and Sportsmen. This
gentlemen's periodical presented articles on
thoroughbred racing, trotting, yachting, rowing
chess, billiards, and the theatre. This issue
focused upon yachting!

Timely Trotting News -- Recent Breaking Records -- Rush Park, Independence, Iowa 1891

The Harvester 1908 -- Comments by Ed Geers

Horses in Winter from the December 17, 1908 Issue of the Trotter and Pacer

"Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are,

That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm,

How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides,

Your loop'd and window'd raggedness defend you

from seasons such as these?" -- King Lear

Rush Park's Halo -- All that is left of this One Mile Kite Track

Rush Park -- Independence, Iowa -- Site of One of Nelson's Historic Races

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Guideless Wonders

Cobwebs -- Ruler of the Harlem Speedway

The History of the Modern Sulky -- 1898

Sulky and Carriage Builder Advertisements 1887

Friday, April 29, 2011

Cribbing in Horses

Lost Trotting Parks Presentation on May 19th at the Vassalboro Historical Society

On Thursday, May 19th, Stephen Thompson

will present Maine's Lost Trotting Parks

to the members of the Vassalboro Historical Society.

The presentation begins at 7:30 PM.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Readfield's Private Trotting Park -- Across the Church Road from the Readfield Fairgrounds

Last fall I contacted the Readfield Historical Society regarding Readfield's lost trotting park. The trotting park was part of the fairgrounds that was home to the Kennebec Agricultural Society. This week I received an e-mail from Rich O'Connor who had been attempting to locate the trotting track. We shared several e-mails. Yesterday I contacted Florence Drake, President of the historical society. Florence referred me to Holly and Chris Dumaine and to Evelyn Potter. After two enjoyable telephone conversations, I discovered that at one time both a private trotting track and the public trotting park existed off Church Road. Chris referred me to Dan Harriman who confirmed that the track was located

towards the back of the fairgrounds. The first storyboard is probably an accurate representation of the location of the trotting park that was built when the Readfield Fairgrounds was home to the Kennebec Agricultural Society. This storyboard was developed after speaking with Holly and Chris Dumaine, Evelyn Potter, Dan Harriman, and Holly Dominie. The second storyboard provides two images: (1) a 1943 topographical map that shows the private track owned by Charles Brisbane and (2) a Google Earth aerial that shows the halo of the private track.

When the Readfield Historical Society opens in May, I will work with society members to develop more detailed storyboards.

Initial Post on Readfield's Lost Trotting Park!

The location suggested in this original post were not accurate. Readfield's Lost Trotting Park is located near the top of the Old Fairgrounds Road.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

1893 Kentucky Stock Farm -- Cover Art

The following two posts were articles
taken from this issue of Kentucky Stock Farm.

1893 -- Interview with Hod Nelson -- Recommendations for Buyers and Breeders

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Note from Senator Roger Katz

On March 27, 2011 I e-mailed Maine legislators encouraging them to support the Maine harness racing tradition and related businesses. Today I received a note from Senator Katz:

Steve,

"Thanks for your note!

I agree -- it's important to keep

this fine Maine tradition.

Keep up the good work!"

Best,

Roger Katz

As I visitor to the Maine Online Museum, The Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center, I encourage you to do all you can to ensure that the Maine tradition of harness racing will exist into the future -- a tradition to be shared and enjoyed by young and old alike.

Check out 24 Ideas to Re-Energize Maine Harness Racing!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Google Analytics -- The Year Past in Viewership

The following storyboard illustrates the viewership of
the Online Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center.

I appreciate your interest in the age of "When the Horse was King."

If you have any suggestions e-mail me at lifework50@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Trotting Clubs of Greater Boston

Read Online The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston!

One chapter tells what happened to many of the great champions in retirement.

Maine Memory Network on John R Braden

Read about John R Braden -- the Pride of Presque Isle and Aroostook County!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Parade of Stallions -- 1977 Scarborough Downs

Roger Smith e-mailed pictures to me that depicted the Parade of Stallions at Scarborough Downs in 1977. Roger would like assistance in the identification of the horses and horsemen in these photographs. To see the Parade of Stallion Storyboards, go to Profiles of Maine's Harness Horsemen.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

More Comments by Busbey on The Trotting Horse in America 1873

In the following five storyboards Hamilton Busbey (Busby) provides

additional comments on the trotting horse in America. His first

article on this subject was published by Harper's Magazine.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Status of Maine Horses 1893 Plus Maine's Classic Horse Families

Read Online, Noted Maine Horses, by J.W. Thompson
Published in 1874

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Standardbred by W. Dennis 1951

The Art of Wesley Dennis

Maine Harness Racing 2011

Take Note: Local Maine Historical Societies, Memorabilia Collectors -- Maine Harness Racing Memorabilia from NEPLAINS --

Maine Memorabilia from NEPLAINS.COM

Bridgton Agricultural Association -- 1929 August 7 -- Harness Racing in Maine

Bridgton Agricultural Association -- 1929 August 8 -- Harness Racing in Maine

Bridgton Fair -- 1924 August -- Harness Racing in Maine

Colt Farm - 1893 -- Auburn, Maine (lot # 2)

Colt Farm -- 1893 -- Auburn, Maine (lot # 3)

Cream Brook Farm Stock -- 1883 -- Hartland, Maine

Maine Cherryfield -- Fair Race Track -- Harness Racing 1906

Maine Acton -- Shapleigh Fair Harness Racing -- circa 1907

Stallion Advertisement -- General Harrison -- Season of 1891 -- Fairfield, Maine

Periodicals featuring articles and images of the Age of "When the Horse was King"

Example: The Horse World -- 1907 December 17 -- Christmas Issue -- Harness Racing

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Trotting Horse in America -- Harper's 1873 by Hamilton Busby

Monday, March 28, 2011

Nelson 4209 & the Bicycle Wheel Sulky -- Currier & Ives 1893

Given that the bicycle wheel sulky was introduced in 1892, one could assume that the second Currier & Ives with the bicycle wheels was a remake of the earlier lithograph with high wheels. Nelson's best time of 2.09 was recorded at Rigby Park in South Portland, Maine using a bicycle wheel sulky. Nelson also recorded a time fo 2.07 3/4 at the Moosepath Trotting Park in St. John, New Brunswick. This time was accomplished using the bicycle wheel sulk. In the bicycle wheel image the initials L.M. appear. This may be the initials of the artist who painted the remake.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Maine Harness Racing Dates -- 2011 published by the Maine Harness Racing Commission

Mission of Lost Trotting Parks

The mission of the Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center is to preserve the stories and images of the 19th century to present day that illustrate the history of Maine's harness racing, lost trotting parks, fairs, agricultural societies, Granges, and the significance of the of the horse in society.

Our plan is to reach our mission is through Preservation, Education, Promotion and Partnerships.

Through the Center's website and educational outreach to Maine school students, community organizations, agricultural fairs, and businesses, the Center will retell the once told stories of a slice of Maine history that is quickly being forgotten. Most Mainers have lost their connection to the horse and the horse's contribution to a past way of life. Maine people who work in the harness racing industry are today's living history of the age when the horse was king. Through your financial support of the Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center, you will help to tell the stories of Maine Harness Racing and horse breeding throughout the ages.

FOR BETTER VIEWING

Lost Trotting Parks storyboards are typically 12 by 18 inches. To view storyboards, click on the storyboard and it will automatically open as a larger image. If there are multiple storyboards in a post, click on the first image. This will create a slideshow that you control by clicking on the next image icon that you will see at the bottom of your screen.

If the storyboards are still too small to view text, open individual storyboards in a separate window. This allows you to enlarge the storyboards to read text and view images in greater detail. To open a storyboard in a new window, place your cursor over the image, right click on your mouse, and select open in a new window. This will allow you to use Ctrl + and Ctrl - to control the size of the storyboard. When you are finished viewing the storyboard, close the window and you will return to the LTP blog.

Trotting Horse Art Detectives

In the 1891, Colorado artist, C.B. Fish, produced an oil painting of the famous trotting stallion Nelson. The Lewiston Sun Journal reported that Fish had completed the painting and would ship it to Sunnyside Farm. Fish also painted a trotter from Skowhegan named All-So. We do not know if the painting of Nelson still exists. The two paintings below are examples of Fish's work. If you have knowledge of the oil painting of Nelson, please e-mail Stephen Thompson at lifework50@gmail.com or call 207-623-3076.

The Fish pictures were made available by Gallery 44.

To inquire about the Fish paintings contact:

http://www.gallery44llc.com

Maine's Trotting Horse Heritage Trail

Published in 2009, Maine’s Trotting Horse Heritage Trail, guides readers through the golden age of the trotting horse. Covering the period between 1820 and 1892, the author, Clark P. Thompson of Bangor, Maine, introduces us to the horses, the people, and places that established the trotting industry in the State of Maine. Thompson’s well researched publication highlights twenty key moments in Maine’s evolvement in trotting. The Heritage Trail begins in Old Orchard Beach and ends in Dover-Foxcroft. This book is your guide to historical markers that have been inscribed and placed in designated Maine communities.

Journey with us and return to the Golden Age of Trotting.

In the book’s foreword, Michael, D. Andrew, President of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, states, “With this book, Clark Thompson has done us a great service by memorializing some of the great progenitors of the Maine trotter, the owners who supported breeding and racing, and the tracks where these horses pleased thousands of Mainers in the 1800s.”

For more information about this book and how to obtain a copy, contact Clark P. Thompson by e-mailing

clarkprice@msn.com.

Maine's Lost Trotting Parks --- OUR MISSION

The trotting industry flourished from the 1820s through the early 1900s. There are a number of reasons that for many the excitement and interest in trotting has diminished. However, the trotting industry still exists. Its history is still rich. Our mission is to conduct research that will reveal to us the history of Maine's forgotten Trotting Tracks and bring back the images and people of another age. Our posts of the Belfast Trotting Track are examples of what we are attempting to find. We will partner with local historical societies, work with local government, and individuals interested in this endeavor. Contact us and help us to fulfill our mission.

NOTE: News articles and other text displayed on this web site are existing texts given to me for use on The Lost Trotting Parks Blog. There has been no additional research on my part to ensure that these accounts are accurate.

Stephen D. Thompson

P.O. Box 263

Hallowell, Maine 04347

E-Mail: lifework50@gmail.com

Cell Phone: 207-623-3076

Nelson Memorabilia

Nelson, the champion trotter, was owned by C.H. Nelson of Waterville, Maine. C.H. (Hod) Nelson owned and operated Sunnyside Horse Farm. The farm's location is where the JFK Mall is now located. At one time, Nelson owned the fairgrounds of the North Kennebec Agricultural and Horticultural Society. We are seeking individuals or organizations that may have Nelson memorabilia, photographs, equipment, and trophies. In addition, we are looking for photographs of the fairgrounds and trotting track that was once located behind the Pine Grove Cemetery. If you have information regarding Nelson or the fairgrounds, please e-mail Stephen Thompson (lifework50@gmail.com) or call 207-623-3076.

Citizens of Bethel Form Riverside Park Trotting Association

5-8-1891 Oxford County Advertiser:

Bethel: The citizens of Bethel met Tuesday and formed an organization known as The Riverside Park Trotting Association and chose the following officers: C.M. Wormell, president; J.A. Twaddle, vice president; E.M. Walker, secretary; E.S. Kilborn, treasurer; trustees, G.P. Bean, chairman; J.M. Philbrook, H.M. Hastings, Moses A. Mason, O.P. Farrington, E.C. Rowe. The trustees have leased the land for ten years and intend to have one of the best tracks in the state. The location and land are all that could be asked for the trustees mean business and will spare no pains or money.

Text from work of Donald Bennett, Bethel, Maine

Check out The Bethel Journals!

The Bethel Historical Society

Maine's Turf, Farm and Home

The newspaper, Turf, Farm, and Home was first published in Auburn, Maine around 1890. This newspaper was considered the horseman's periodical. In 1897, the paper merged with Maine's Horse Breeders' Monthly and J.W. Thompson of Canton became the editor. About 1912, the Turf, Farm and Home merged with the Maine Press and continued publication until 1920. The Fogler Library has issues from 1912 on. However, there are only 24 documented issues of the paper between 1890 and 1912.

This is a call for issues of the Turf, Farm, and Home.

Contact Stephen Thompson at 207-623-3076, if you know where there are existing issues of this newspaper.

Issues from 1890 to 1910 will tell the stories of Maine Horsemen

during the age of 'When the Horse was King.'

The Lost Trotting Parks Storyboard Archives