From the annals of the Bristol Press

Compiled by Dave Greenleaf

150 Years Ago – July 1871

Bristol High School closed today. The total number of scholars registered was 170.

A young son of Josiah Peck “played at cannon” on the Fourth. His face is badly burned but he will probably save his eyesight.

Mr. Norton residing on the edge of Wolcott was returning home Tuesday last when he was knocked down by what he supposed to be a sling shot and robbed of what money he had about his person. He was insensible until 8 o’clock the next morning.

A band of gypsies was in this sector last week. Probably some of the thievery which we chronicle can be laid to these charges.

125 Years Ago – July 1896

The town meeting approved a petition by the Tramway Company for a new turnabout on North Main Street.

There were very few accidents reported on the Fourth. A boy set off a sky rocket in front of Fogg’s and it went through Marshall’s store window narrowly missing the heads of people. It cost the young man about $5. A group of boys requested permission to ring the bell at the Episcopal Church on the Fourth. Permission was denied but the boys broke in anyway and the bell ran vigorously for over an hour. The Tramway Company scored a big hit with its display of fireworks at Lake Compounce.

The New Departure Bell Company is seeking permission to erect a new three story building between the existing factory and the street. According to treasurer A.F. Rockwell the building will double the capacity of the works. They will also build a new finishing building on the east side of the tracks off Center Street that will connect to the existing building at its upper level. The building will be used for a new product line yet to be announced.

The residents of Meadow Street are demanding a new bridge for their street.

Sports 125 Years Ago – July 1896

The ball game between the Bristol Wardens and the Thomastons played at the Lake Avenue grounds on the Fourth resulted in a score of 26-24 in favor of the visitors.

The Bells defeated Unionville 23-11. Butler was all right at the bat but as a base runner proved rather timid. O’Brien led the batting for the Bells.

A new merry-go-round has been installed on Center Street near the ball ground and is proving a big hit with families attending the games.

100 Years Ago – July 1921

Mayor Dutton presented a petition to the council from local women requesting that the Volstead Act be strictly enforced locally.

A letter was presented pressing the need for a small hospital for medical and surgical care in Bristol in support of the newly organized Bristol Hospital committee.

Work on the new Memorial Boulevard is progressing. Bridges at Mellen and Downs Streets have been completed and the river has been straightened and turned into its new bed. Work has begun on covering Ivy Creek for its full length from Main Street and construction of the new high school will begin once the creek is covered.

Fuller F. Barnes was elected president of the new Bristol Hospital Board at its meeting last week. Dewitt Page was named to the Board of Directors. The hospital has purchased the Wallace Barnes property at the corner of South and George Streets for a temporary facility to open by November.

Sports 100 Years Ago – July 1921

 The ND’s applied a whitewash to American Chain. Eddie Goodrich pitched and George Scott provided the fielding gem of the game. Clyde Waters and Swat McCabe led the team at the bat.

75 Years Ago – July 1946

The circus has arrived in town. The Big Top has been set up on the East Bristol recreation grounds.

The city has erected new signs to curtail parking in the downtown area. Public Works Superintendent Daniel Donovan has proposed adding traffic lanes and reducing sidewalk widths to improve traffic flow along Main Street.

Barbara Cives was named Miss Bristol for 1946 at the Lake Compounce pageant

The city council is debating a proposal for reopening the mine shaft at the old Copper Mine that was closed in 1895. The debate is to determine whether the opening will be in Bristol or Burlington.

Sports 75 Years Ago – July 1946

Vito Colapinto pitched and Jocko Yarde hit a prodigious homerun to lead the Bristol Cobras to an 11-4 win over the Nutmeg Colored Giants before the largest crowd of the season at Muzzy Field.

The Bristol Tramps halted the 20-game win streak of the New Britain Kinetics before a crowd of 2000 in the Hardware City. Harvey Brownell’s bases loaded double was the key hit.

50 Years Ago – July 1971

The City Council restored $300,000 to the $9 million school budget to restore athletics and continue services that had been previously cut.

The City Grand list reached an all time high of $246 million.

The city approved the demolition of the Page Mansion and creation of a rose garden on the Grove Street property.

The Ingraham Company is threatened with layoffs and plant closings due to the end of Government contracts for fuses. Congresswoman Ella Grasso has stepped in to try to minimize the impact. 

St. Paul High School student Michael Bazinet has a front row seat as a press correspondent for the launch of the Apollo 15 Moon Mission in Florida.

Mayor Norton walked out of a Finance Board meeting after its refusal to appropriate funds for water and sewers at the new Northwest Industrial Park.

Sports 50 Years Ago – July 1971

Bristol American Legion claimed its sixth straight Zone 1 title for coach Jim Bates.

The McCabe-Waters Little League All Stars won the District Five championship with a win over Plainville. Jude Desjardins, Jimmy Lafrance and John Greenleaf powered a late rally as Steve Morin pitched the victory.

25 Years Ago – July 1996

A Florida company pulled out of a General Motors Plant deal leaving the future of the Chippens Hill building in question.

Bristol began a petition drive to approve toll free calling to Hartford and New Britain after receiving OK from legislature.

Planners estimate a four-lane Route 72 from the Plainville line to Middle Street will reduce Forestville traffic by 25%. The state approved the plan despite homeowner’s objections.

The school board approved the sale of the Dickau Bus Company to Ryder School Bus services.

The school board approved a plan to change the high school schedule to an alternating day 84 minute block schedule for the 1998-99 school year.

Land use and permit issues slow progress for the new Lake Compounce owner Kennywood as they  prepared to reopen the park.

The city halted swimming and drained the Rockwell Park lagoon in an attempt to solve red algae problem.

Sports 25 Years Ago – July 1996

Bristol’s Chryss Watts Hires was named to the US Olympic Handball team.

Ann Miecznikowski opened district play for the McCabe-Waters softball team with a no-hitter against Edgewood.

Forestville softball won a final day doubleheader to claim the District Five title over McCabe-Waters. Amy Hannon pitched a one-hitter in the championship.

Late season loss to Southington knocked Bristol American Legion out of a state tourney berth, but the team will still play in the regionals as host at Muzzy Field.

Dave Greenleaf is a local high school teacher.