At the Fairgrounds in Bangor, Maine -- Maplewood Park was renamed Bass Park -- The Age When the Horse was King!

When the Horse was King! Stage Coach Routes throughout the State of Maine

In 1890 C.H. Nelson with his Trotting Stallion Nelson 4209 set a New World's Record of 2.11 3/4 on a Kite Track in Kankakee, Illinois

This post explores the shape of the Good Time Park in Goshen, New York and includes the accomplishments of C.H. Nelson and his World Champion Trotting Stallion, Nelson 4209 whose records were set on Kite Tracks.

Images of the Good Time Park in Goshen, New York Today

Good Time Park was a Pear Shaped Track

Kite Track News 1947

Click on this image to enlarge, then right click on the image to open in a new tab. With the new tab you can enlarge the image for better reading.

Storyboard Related to the Kite Track in Old Orchard Beach

Nelson 4209 at the Kite Track in Old Orchard Beach in 1892

Building a Kite Track

Stories of 19th Century Horses Recognized either for Breeding or Racing -- One Maine Bred Horse

The images and text in these storyboards were taken from a book donated to the Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center by Tilly Atkins, a member of Lost Trotting Parks' Board of Directors.

A Challenge: For those of you who like to dig into the history of the Standardbred horse in the 19th century, conduct Google searches to see if you can compile links that will provide greater understanding the Hambletonian, Mac, and Smuggler. Then share with others what you found!

Storyboards of Maine Fairs that include Harness Racing in their Programs and. Images of the Past and Present

The storyboards in this post highlights both the past and present of the Agricultural Fairs in Maine that include harness racing in their programs. It has been an honor and a pleasure to be able to be present to the harness racing events throughout the State of Maine.Prior to the first race at each fair, I take photographs of harness horsemen and women preparing their horses for their race. When I complete my tour of the paddock, I walk to the grandstand to set up the video camera for the races. I have worked as the video patrol officer at the fairs for at least six years.

With the pandemic, our Maine Fairs may not open. The Northern Maine Fair has been cancelled for this year. With the issue of social distancing and the wearing of masks, Maine Fair officials and the harness racing industry will need to address the issue of social distancing and the wearing of masks to protect others. I realize the difficulties of the present moment and I can only hope that the people of our state will stay healthy and safe.

Blue Skies to be Featured this Evening on The Tonite Show with Danny Cashman (Channel 4 at 10:30 & Channel 5 at 11:30 -- This Post features a Song on the Life of C.H. Nelson (1843 to 1915)

Two weekends ago on a Saturday night, I was checking the TV schedule. This was around midnight. I came across The Tonite Show with Danny Cashman. He was presenting his show from his home. Towards the end of the show he offered up the idea for songwriters to send to him videos featuring their songs. I said, Why not? I sent Danny Cashman my video of the song called "Blue Skies." The song was motivated by the story of C.H. Nelson who was the proprietor of Sunnyside Farm. There was an economic crisis that resulted in many horsemen going out of business and the closure of many tracks. In 1877 Nelson purchased the fairground and trotting park from the North Kennebec Agricultural and Horticultural Society with the promise that he would still let the society hold its annual fair. In 1893 Nelson decided to sell the track to the City of Waterville, Maine. The City in turn sold the property to the Pine Grove Cemetery Association. Both Nelson and his wife are buried in this cemetery. Nelson passed away in 1915 at the Soldier's Home in Togus. Sunnyside Farm if it existed today would be a 69 acre farm between Carver Street and Nelson Street. The house for the farm would be located where you find the Impromptu Ten Minute Oil Change Company on Kennedy Memorial Drive (originally the Oakland Road.)

The Tonite Show with Danny Cashman accepted my song and it will air on the show this evening. On Channel 4 at 10:30 and on Channel 5 at 11:30. 

The video in this post features the story of C.H. Nelson and his champion trotting stallion, Nelson 4209. As one person told me, "There are too many dates in the song." Just maybe he was right. However, the song is an overview of his life from his birth in 1843 in Palermo, Maine to serving in the Civil War and finally his story and relationship with his horse, Nelson 4209. With a bit of creative license, I hope you enjoy this song. In the background there are pictures of Nelson and images that relate to his time in the limelight.

Norman S. Woolworth -- His Estate on Cobboseeecontee Lake in Winthrop, Maine

The Google Map's image below shows what exists today of the trotting track that was once part of the Woolworth Estate on Cobbosseecontee Lake in Winthrop, Maine. Below the image you will see a link to Norman S. Woolworth's biography when he was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York. Additional posts on Norman S. Woolworth will follow.

Norman S. Woolworth's Induction into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame, Goshen, NY

An Introduction to Maine's Only Kite Track built in 1892

The Kite Track in Old Orchard Beach was first referred to as The Breeders' Mile Track. The track was built in 1892, the same time as Rigby Park. At the time there was competition for which track the horsemen would support. This post will be followed by future posts that will provide you with more history and images of the Kite Track. The Kite Track might have been the only Kite Track on the East Coast. Kite Tracks were most popular in the mid-west.

The images of the Harness Horse Storyboards were courtesy of Mike Hendrickson, a seller of postcards and harness racing memorabilia. http://neplains.com

For Those Who Love to Write -- Links to Websites that Promote Memoir and Creative Writing

I hope that many of you are considering embarking on moments of your time writing your memoir. This is your way to ensure that your family today and in the future will understand your life's experiences. 

You can write about your childhood, growing up, special friends and relationships, experiencing training and education beyond high school, your choice of a career, your adult relationship and your family. Only you can share your reflections on your childhood, your parents and your grandparents. If you choose you can interview your parents and grandparents. If you have an IPAD, even your cell phone, you could video your interviews and then write your memoir as you review the videos.

For those who are engaged in the sport of harness racing or any other horse related sport or competition, you can write how you got started in the sport, what horses mean to you, and then share your most significant moment in the sport. Who have you become friends with in the sport? Where do you stable your horse(s)? What is your daily routine as you work with you horses? Take pictures and write captions for each picture. Let others know you, your love of horses, and your love of competition.

The Maine Spirit's Link to Posts on Memoir Writing

Harness Racing at the Oxford County Fair, South Paris, Maine 1939

Today the Oxford County Fair in Norway no longer offers harness racing as a featured event. The track at the fairground is probably the best track in the State of Maine. This post features harness racing at the Oxford County Fair when the fairgrounds were located at the site of what is now the high school serving Norway, South Paris and perhaps the area's smaller towns. This storyboard demonstrates that in 1939 the fans were still in the grandstands. The links below will show additional storyboards of harness racing in 1939.

Down the Stretch at the Oxford Fair -- 1939

Close to the Action at the Oxford County Fair -- 1939

Wallace's Monthly -- John Hankins Wallace's Interview with C.H. Nelson at the Elmwood Hotel in Waterville, Maine -- Nelson 4209: Maine's Champion Trotting Stallion

C.H. Nelson & Nelson 4209

Wallace's Monthly 1888

By John Hankins Wallace

SUNNYSIDE FARM.

BY "SULKY.

There are many fine places in the good old State of Maine, but I fail to recall a more lovely spot than the young city of Waterville, whose broad streets, kept in the best of condition, fine residences, all neatly painted and showing unmistakable signs of prosperity, its busy factories, and the great car works of the Maine Central Railroad all tend to lend an air of business which is not always to be found either in Maine or more pretentious States. Within five minutes' walk of the depot stands the Elmwood Hotel, one of the best conducted houses that it has been my pleasure to patronize, and within its walls I found the genial proprietor of Sunnyside Farm, who with his charming wife has made it their headquarters for the past eight years. I do not propose to weary the readers of the Monthly by a description of my trip from New York to this charming place, only saying that the passage by boat and rail was most delightful, the time passing quickly away by the aid of cheerful companions. It's a cold day when one cannot join a whist party after leaving Boston, and with four good players I know of no game which is more sure to help pass the hours quickly and pleasantly.

As my object in writing this article is to give the readers of the Monthly a little light upon the farm whose caption can be found at the head of this page, I will proceed to introduce to them its proprietor, Mr. С. Н. Nelson, whose fame as a breeder, not only in the East, but throughout the United States and Canada, is as “familiar as a household word." Mr. Nelson is comparatively a young man, being but forty-five years of age, but his experience as a driver and breeder stamps him as among the foremost. Mr. Nelson is a native of the State which he so well represents among horsemen, having been born in Waldo County, and his early days were spent in a country grocery store which was owned by his father. When the war for the maintenance of the Union was being waged, he went to the front as a member of the Nineteenth Maine Regiment, and served with credit to himself and the State. Upon his return he again resumed his work in the store, but subsequently found that the confinement was telling upon his health, and thereupon decided to try his hand at breeding, which he began on a small scale, but the shrewd Yankee element in him soon placed him in a position to compete with older heads and more experienced men in the business.

When I asked Mr. Nelson to tell me something about his start in breeding, his answer was: "Well, the first thing in my mind was to secure a first-class brood-mare, and as a result I selected Gretchen, by Gideon, because of the great speed shown by Kate, her dam, and of the fact that she (Kate) had already dropped a fine roadster." That the selection was a most excellent one no one familiar with her produce will for a moment deny. Gretchen is now twenty years old, but as I saw her in the pasture capering with young horses, I should never have suspected her age. But I am getting a little ahead of my story. 

Therefore I will drop Back to a description of Sunnyside— most appropriately named from its location, lying as it does on the side- hill, where the sun has full play from its first rising in the east until it sets in the distant west. Although Sunnyside comprises 540 acres of as fine land for hay and pasturage as lays out of doors, it is divided into two farms. On the one is a fine residence and three barns where most of the brood-mares and young stock are kept, and upon the other is kept the stallions for service, and where is situated two large barns and a substantial, old-fashioned house used for the numerous help about the place. Upon this latter place is also contemplated still another large barn, as the present quarters are getting decidedly too small for the growing business. That the farm is a popular resort for Maine horsemen is amply proven by the great number of people who visit the place, often running up to a hundred in a single day. Mr. Nelson purchased the farm in 1882 and settled down to business.

Prior to settling in Waterville, Gretchen was bred to Gen. Knox, and the result was Knox Girl, 2:31^, who since making her record has been used as a brood-mare. In 1873 Gretchen dropped Onward by Otis Morrill, who has proven a good horse and has Ben Butler, pacer, to his credit, with a record in 1887 of 2:29^. I do not propose to speak of all of the foals of Gretchen, but only of those that have more prominently come before the public. In 1877 she dropped Susie Owen, 2:26, by Daniel Boone, and who was sold, if I remember rightly, to Mr. George G. Hall, of the Adams House, Boston, for a good round price. In 1880 Gretchen was bred to Young Rolfe, purchased by Mr. Nelson of Mr. W. P. Balch, of Boston, who bred him, and the result was Daisy Rolfe, that proved a very fast young mare, but she was never fully developed for speed, as she was reserved for a brood-mare, and she now has a fine filly by her side by Dictator Chief. The following year Gretchen dropped Nelson 2:21*4, by Young Rolfe, and he has justly earned for himself the title of "Lord of the Seraglio"—I like that word because so many writers have patented the word harem, that something new sounds fresh. Young Rolfe was subsequently sold for $5,000 to Mr. John Sheppard, of Boston, and died in a race at Mystic Park in 1884. He left but thirty-two colts, if I am not mistaken.

And right here I want to speak of the stallions kept at Sunnyside. Business grew to such proportions that the services of more stallions were required, and from time to time new purchases were made of popular breeds, until today Mr. Nelson has thirteen fine horses on hand, eleven of which are at public service, while one, Onward, is on the sick list, and Artist is kept for private use.

Of this number Nelson heads the list, and his services are in such demand that his book was full long before the opening of the stud season. He was foaled in 1882; got by Young Rolfe, 3517, son of Tom Rolfe, 306; dam Gretchen, by Gideon,145; grandam Kate, pedigree yet in doubt, but being traced. Every horseman is familiar with the performances of Nelson, and when in 1885 he broke the three-year old half-mile track record, by trotting the mile in 2:26^ at Lewiston, Me., he was looked upon as a wonder. In 1887 he lowered his record to 2:21^ at Boston. He is a grandly-built horse, standing 15.3/4 hands high, and of most excellent proportions—a beautiful bay, with black points, excellent head and neck, long, full, round barrel and with indications of great lung power; breast wide and full; good stifles; fine legs and feet, and with a full mane, and a tail which " trails upon the ground," he is a picture well worth seeing. Many believe that he is capable of beating the stallion record, but whether this be so or not can only be shown by a trial, and this will undoubtedly be given him in 1889, as it is the intention of his owner to retire him from service and make the attempt. If I am not misinformed, Mr. Nelson is the first gentleman in America to breed, raise and drive a stallion to a record equal to that of Nelson. Of his trotting qualities I can do no better than quote his owner:

“His gait is like a piece of well- balanced machinery, and he needs neither weights nor boots. His rate of speed is such, I think, drawn from the stud one season, he could trot in 2:12 to 2:14. As he never gets sore, like most horses, his gait is so friction- less he is at all times ready to go without that long jogging to warm him out. He was not hitched to a sulky until the last day of July in 1887, and the last of September trotted Mystic in 2:21^; a damp, slippery track, and could have trotted several seconds faster if he had been obliged to, and this after a heavy season in the stud."

The second horse in the stud to be mentioned is Dictator Chief, 2:25^, by Dictator, 113; dam Judy, by Plato; grandam said to have been a thoroughbred mare. Like Nelson, he obtained his record, in 1887, upon a half-mile track, at Lewiston, Maine. He, too, is a grandly-built horse being nearly 16 hands high; is a bright bay with black points and star. In build he is fully the equal of Nelson, and is quoted by one of the best-known Kentucky breeders as "probably the best son of Dictator." I saw several of his colts in motion, and all showed unmistakable signs of becoming fast trotters, even to the young sucklings that seem to know " nothing but trot." His colts are in great demand, and among these there has been sold Gretta, foaled in 1887, out of Gretchen, for $1,500, at six months; Naska, out of Knox Girl, at eleven months, for $1,000, while others have been sold at proportionately large prices. His books were filled early in the year.

Another fine stallion in service is Wilkes, 8571, by Alcyone, 732; dam Molly, by American Clay, 34; grandam Fanny Fern, by Star Denmark. He is a finely-proportioned horse, 15.2 hands high, clean-limbed and strong, of excellent action, and is becoming popular among the breeders of Maine.

The next on the list is Col. West, 4208, a coal-black horse, of commanding presence, by Egbert, 1136; dam Lida Patchen, by Mambrino Patchen, 58; grandam Miss Seavy, said to be by Delmonico, no. He was bred by Col. R. West, at Lexington, Ky. He is all style, and if his progeny resemble their sire, he will make a stallion well worthy of the patronage of those who desire style as well as speed.

Another excellent - looking son of Young Rolfe is Brilliant; dam Fanny Knox (clam of Bay, 2:27^), by Gen. Knox; grandam Dolly Parker, by Blue Dick. He was foaled in 1883, and is consequently limited in his service. He is a beautiful seal-brown, with black points and star. When in motion he carries himself well up, and is decidedly "dudish " in appearance.

A fine-looking three-year-old is Mechanic, by Dictator Chief; dam Laura, by Onward (Nelson's); grandam by Mayhew, son of Gen. Knox. He is one of the first get of Dictator Chief, and if his action when in motion is a criterion to go by he will make a mark in the trotting world.

Artist—by Dictator Chief; dam Belle Morrow, by Belmont; grandam Helen Neal, by Mambrino Chief—is a fine- looking three-year-old, and will doubtless make a good stock-horse.

This brings me down to the more recent purchases by Mr. Nelson, and which consist of some excellent-looking and finely-bred stock, among which is Herolight, by Starlight, 6835; dam Boadicea, by Hambletonian, 10, etc.; bred by A. B. Darling, at Ramsey's, N. J.; Pickering, 3094, by Hambletonian, 10; dam Lady Fallis, by American Star, 14; grandam by Long Island Black Hawk, 24; foaled 1872; in 1887 got a record of 2:30, and is undoubtedly the last of the get of Old Hero that will drop into the 2:30 list. Still another purchase is May Prince, by Kentucky Prince, 2470; dam Queen of May, by Hambletonian, 10; grandam Lady Overton, by Abdallah, i. As Kentucky Prince has seven to his credit in the charmed circle, with a prospect of greatly increasing the number the coming season, the purchase of so fine a representative of this popular sire was a good stroke of business on the part of the proprietor of Sunny- side. Still another representative of a popular family is Red Hawk, 8508, by Red Wilkes, 1749; dam Judy (dam of Dictator Chief, 2:25^), by Plato; grandam by Louck's Kentucky Whip. He is a bright bay, with dark points and white hind ankles. His general makeup is excellent, and there is no reason why he will not make a worthy son of a worthy sire.

I should be doing an injustice, not only to the horse. but also to his namesake, if I failed to (¡mention Griffin, 5075 (registered as Barnard), a fine- looking and acting son of Messenger Duroc, 106; dam Gimp, by Princeps, 536; grandam Favorita, by Abdallah, 15; great grandam by Mambrino Chief, it. As all breeders are familiar with achievements of Messenger Duroc, and Princeps with eighteen in the 2:30 list to his credit, it would be superfluous for me to go into details as to the family of Griffin; but suffice it to say that he is a magnificent looking young horse of great speed, and if I do not misjudge will make a very fast record at no distant day.

 With the foregoing facts before the reader, I think no one will doubt me when I assert that there is not another breeder in the country who has such a variety of fine-bred stallions from which the breeders of Maine may select. Nor is the selection confined to Maine, for while I was in town a mare arrived from Massachusetts, by Alcyone, to be bred to Nelson, and several breeders in Kentucky made flattering proposals for the services of Nelson, provided the stallion was taken to that location.

When one's pen gets under way it is hard to tell where to draw the line, and in this case it is peculiarly difficult, but a halt must be made somewhere, and after referring to a few of the broodmares on the farm, I will bring this article to a close.

I have already had considerable to say relative to Gretchen, but it would be hardly justice to drop such a great mare without mentioning others of her foal. Besides those already mentioned, she has dropped Sadie L., by Young Rolfe; June, by the same horse, now the property of W. F. Redmund, of New York, and who has just dropped a foal by Dictator Chief. She is also the dam of Edna, Richmond and Netta, by Dictator Chief, and again in 1888 has been stinted to the same horse.

Knox Girl has dropped Dora M., by Young Rolfe, and other good ones by the same horse, and also by Dictator Chief. Bell Merrow, by Belmont, foaled 1873, is the dam of Artist, by

Dictator Chief. Among the other fine- bred and looking brood-mares may be mentioned Daisy Rolfe, by Young Rolfe; Jessica, by George Wilkes, who is the dam of a filly by Jay Bird, colt by Grand Sentinel and others; Jersey Lily, 2:34^, by Lord Nelson. I could go on ad libitum, but will draw the line at Aubine, a magnificent brown mare by Young Rolfe, dam Knox Girl, by Gen. Knox, grandam Gretchen. Aubine made a record of 2:27% in 1887 as a five-year-old, and after being stinted this year will be sent for a still lower record. There are also many more fine colts and fillies on the farm, quite a number of whom are by Young Rolfe, and who will " speak for themselves " later on. In closing this article I should but do an injustice did I fail to mention a few of those who help to make Sunnyside such a popular resort for breeders. In Mr. C. W. Gilman, secretary to Mr. Nelson, that gentleman has a most able assistant, and with

his system of book-keeping breeders who make purchases from Sunnyside will have but little trouble in obtaining all the information which they desire relative to stock obtained there. I never saw stallions in better condition, and this, Mr. Nelson assures me, is due to the services of David Rouan, who spent many years handling horses in New York.

Mr. George Blair is Mr. Nelson's able assistant in preparing the horses for their work upon the track and is a most indefatigable worker. Most of the exercising is done on the fine roads of the city, but there is a good half-mile track a short distance from the farm, which is leased by Mr. Nelson, and here the finishing touches are made. The breeders of Maine have certainly the facilities for producing trotters, and the proprietor of Sunnyside is to be congratulated upon his pluck and foresight in establishing his great farm.

Image courtesy of Harness Racing Museum, Goshen, NY

Article located by Anne Palmer, Waterville, Maine

S. Dexter's Maine Spirit of the Turf -- for Aspiring Researchers, Writers and Publishers -- for Grandparents, Parents and their Children for Lost Trotting Parks' The Maine 200 Grant Initiative

As a high school student, I aspired to be a journalist. My maternal grandfather, Daniel S. Dexter, was a newspaper editor for a newspaper in Lewiston, Maine. At the University of Maine, I majored in English with minors in journalism and education. I never entered the newspaper business, but I did find creative ways to ensure that my work involved writing and publishing.  Therefore, a few years back, I decided to see if I could manage writing a monthly newspaper for the harness racing industry and those who loved the history of the Standardbred horse.

 In 2009, I reconnected with my cousin Clark P. Thompson of Bangor as he had been involved both in the harness racing industry and a historian of the sport that culminated with his publishing a book titled, Maine's Trotting Horse Heritage Trail. Not only did he research and write the book, he also placed twenty inscribed granite monument at each site, I attended his presentation in Winthrop as he placed the monument for Winthrop Messenger in the vicinity of a building that was once a stable for that horse. Clark's presentation was inspiring and heart-felt. Through Clark's example and inspiration, I began my journey exploring Maine's lost trotting parks, Maine's 19th century agricultural societies and the history of the Standardbred horse.

In 2012, I decided to take on the challenge of developing a monthly periodical that I called S.Dexter's Maine Spirit of the Turf. As I developed each issue, I was unable to constrain my creativity. Each issue became a 25 plus page publication. Given this, my year publishing the Spirit ended in six months.

A goal of Lost Trotting Parks' Maine 200 Grant Initiative is to encourage and motivate Maine people of all ages to write memoirs of their family histories. Families who engage in horse related activities and sports are encouraged to write their family histories in terms of their way of life, their love of the horse and their family's engagement in the sports of harness racing, barrel racing, horse pulling, and other forms of competitions.

Maine families should consider memoir writing as a means to tell their family's story. Grandparents, parents and children can share in this writing process. So often I say and I am sure others have said, "Why didn't I take time or think to ask the questions of my parents and grandparents that would have given me a true understanding of our family's history.

The following links will take you to selected issues of S. Dexter's Maine Spirit of the Turf.

The First Issue of S.Dexter's Maine Spirit of the Turf

The March April Issue of S. Dexter's Maine Spirit of the Turf

The June Issue of S. Dexter's Maine Spirit of the Turf

The July Issue of S. Dexter's Maine Spirit of the Turf

The Horse as a Worker in the Field -- Preparing Garden Space at Camp Chewonki

It has been said that the horse replaced the ox and that the automobile and other gas operated machines replaced the horse. Farming with horses began in the 19th century and in Maine up into the 1930s and even the early 1940s. This video produced by the staff at Camp Chewonki describes in detail its use of the horse in its preparation of garden space to provide vegetables to the people of Lincoln County.

To learn more about Chewonki,
click this link: Camp Chewonki.

Click the link below to watch a contemporary video on The Horse as Worker in the Field.

The Horse as a Worker in the Field - Preparing Gardens at Camp Chewonki

Imagine 19th Century Kennebec County

A few years back I decided I wanted to do a blog that would feature the towns of Kennebec County. The blog still has more work to do than has been done. 

The blog is Imagine 19th Century Kennebec County.

Below is a sampling of posts I hope you will enjoy.

The Gazetteer of the State of Maine 1881

An Article on Benjamin Vaughan, Hallowell, Maine

A Business Directory of Maine - 1862 -- Kennebec County

More than 100 Maine Towns Supported Trotting Parks

Atlas of Kennebec County - County Map and History

Education, Literature and the Public Press 1881

Posts featuring Augusta, Maine

Post Featuring Hallowell, Maine

Old Hallowell on the Kennebec by Emma Huntington Nason 19019 -- Excerpts & Images

 Glen Wendell Starkey's Book, Maine Its History, Resources and Government 1920

The Challenge: Find Rigby Park

19th Century Leaders in Maine Agricultural and the Gardiner Lyceum

This post consists of Lost Trotting Parks research tied to Maine agricultural leaders and other posts of historical content and interest you just might enjoy reading. Then saying, "I didn't know that!"

19th Century Leaders of Maine Agriculture

Historic 19th Century Farm Animals

Abandoned Farms in New England

The Gardiner Lyceum

The Gardiner Lyceum Catalog

Catalog -- Leaders and Students of the Gardiner Lyceum

1830 Sketches of the Gardiner Lyceum

Opening Day at Rigby Park -- October 3, 1893

Opening Day and The Story of Rigby Park

Opening Day at Rigby Park

The Story of Rigby Park -- from the Horse Review 1902

An Introduction to Rigby Park -- One of Maine's Historic Track Built in 1892

This post will introduce you to Rigby Park built by Seth Gilman in 1892.  At one time Rigby Park was considered the fastest and safest track in the United States. Today is your introduction. On another day, you will see the rest of the story!

On the Day I Walked Rigby Park

The Architectural Design of Rigby

A Sampler of Portland's Lost Trotting Parks

Many are unaware of Maine's history of trotting parks and 19th Century Agricultural Societies. This post will provide you with a sampler of posts related to Portland, Maine.

The Lost Trotting Parks of New England -- A Sport Loved and Still Loved by So Many!

The New England Harness Writers' Association sponsors the website that displays many of the lost trotting parks found in each New England state. Take a moment and view New England's lost trotting parks. 

The Lost Trotting Parks of New England

Aroostook County's Racing Circuit -- 1910 to 1920

I was born in Presque Isle in 1948. Two years earlier, my sister, Susan, was born. Our mother, Doris Dexter married my Dad in 1943. 

Late in 1948 and early 1949, my father, Keith M. Thompson, had decided to resign his position at Maine Potato Growers and return to Limestone. Dad purchased his farm on the right hand side of the Bog Road where it intersected with the Sawyer Road that created the divide between Caribou and Limestone. Our family settled in Limestone at 249 Main Street on the corner of Main and Burleigh across from the Methodist Church. Dad grew up on the farm on top of the hill in Limestone where his father originally farmed with horses, raised milking cows, managed a chicken coop and maintained a vegetable garden. His father, Arthur Leroy Thompson, known as Roy, raised potatoes. When his sons, Colby, Keith and Curtis started in the farming business, A.L Thompson & Sons (Thom'Son Taters) became a reality.

Perhaps the main reason why we lived in town was that my mother, whose father, Dan Dexter was an editor for the Lewiston Sun Journal, was not terribly prepared to live on a farm. 

When we were young, we did attend the Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle. One year we were in the grandstand watching Gene Autry and suddenly a bird's dropping fell in my mother's hair -- not a great moment, but obviously memorable. I also remember standing on the grandstand steps watching the horses and drivers on the track. That was my introduction to harness racing. It took more than fifty years for my return to the sport of harness racing. When I was young we played baseball in the field across from the old Caribou High School. I had no idea that the field had been part of a fairground with a harness racing track. In high school, my Limestone High School freshman team played a game down in Houlton on a field that was once in the center of a harness racing track.

In Aroostook County there were trotting parks in Van Buren, Caribou, Allagash, Fort Fairfield and Houlton. Fort Kent held harness racing meets, but the races were held on a track in Canada across from Fort Kent. There was even a track in Crystal, but the track was operated by the town of Patten in Penobscot County.

History exists in places that no longer reflect what once had been. So is the history of Maine's Lost Trotting Parks. Between 1890 and 1930 there were more than 90 communities that supported trotting parks. 

This post presents part of that lost history. The only track still racing is located at the Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle,

Back in the 1920s, Single G, the horse that time forgot, with two other horses toured Canada and the United States. The threesome raced at the Houlton trotting park. The posts below consist of race cards of the Aroostook County Circuit.

If your family was an Aroostook County family during this time period were they involved in harness racing? An earlier Maine Spirit post listed Maine towns with trotting parks. Explore and see what you can learn about the history of harness racing, your family history and the age when the horse was king!