19th century Ti — Racing on ice in 1879

Twas the season of horse racing on the frozen surface of Lake George.

“Several of our citizens are very busy just now training their fast colts and horses. Many of the three-year olds are learning to take the required quickstep,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on Feb. 7, 1879.

Horseracing generated offseason tourism.

“The Bailey House is thronged with sporting men this week. It is horses everywhere — nothing but fast horses, the Sentinel reported on Feb. 21. “Several horses from abroad are in town this week. The annual lake George races are in progress, which have drawn quite a number of horse characters to our village, and a number of horse boys from our village school.”

The race met expectations.

“The annual races on Lake George came off as was advertised. The attendance was unusually large, and the entries more numerous than any other season,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on Feb. 28.

In other 19th century Ticonderoga news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• “Lovers of dancing will be pleased to know that Mr. Wells is making arrangements for another masquerade ball on a grand scale at Weed’s Opera House, Tuesday evening, April 15. Everybody will go, of course, for it will be the most comical and interesting event of the kind ever in Ticonderoga,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on March 28, 1879.
• “The thanks of the community are due to Mr. Parsons, the janitor, for the efficient manner in which he ferreted out and brought to naught the plans of those who were inclined to disturb the quiet of school on Friday of last week. He would make a number one detective,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on March 21, 1879.
• “V. A. Wiley is now ready to do all kinds of repairing and painting generally due at a carriage shop. … Shop near cheese factory,” Wiley advertised in the Ticonderoga Sentinel on Feb. 7, 1879.
• “The weather has been favorable for coasting, and our village boys are improving it,” The Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on Feb. 14, 1879. “The wee sma’ hours of these moonlight nights are intruded on for their benefit, but it makes some of them rather dozy in the school room.”
• “Messrs. Rowell & Shattuck have leased the store in the Burleigh Hotel and will move into their new quarters on the first of March,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on Feb. 14, 1879.

“Rowell & Shattuck’s store was extensively illuminated on Wednesday. These new chandeliers were just brilliant,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on March 21, 1879.

• “Fishing for perch in Lake George is giving employment to several of our citizens,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on March 21, 1879.

Click here to read the most recent previous 19th century Ti post.