Compiled by Dave Greenleaf
150 Years Ago – August 1871
Repairs on the Congregational Church are progressing. The new roof is complete and inside work will be commenced in September. The pews will be made in Hartford and Messrs. Funck of this place have been contracted for making cushions. They (the cushions, not the makers) are to be stuffed with hair and moss of the best quality.
On Thursday last Mr. Dwight Beecher was bitten by a rattlesnake when he placed his hand on the top rail of a fence for the purpose of getting over. Deep incisions were made in his finger and the patient sucked out what virus he could. His arm swelled but not to an alarming degree and in a day or two the symptoms had passed.
The Messrs. Funck are doing a large business in the furniture line. It is a good thing to go through the establishment to see what a fine stock of goods they keep. If one hasn’t the money to purchase he will at least know where to go when he has.
125 Years Ago – August 1896
The town meeting was lively as residents of Goodwin and Prince Streets mounted an effort to have nuisance outhouses abolished.
The New Departure Bell Company announced plans to make bicycle lamps in its new factory building.
The electric fountain installed at Lake Compounce is one of only a half dozen in the US. This one is larger and better than the one at the World’s Fair. It is 150 feet from shore, encased in an iron tank 12 ft high and 11 ft in diameter and ballasted so that it always stays above water level. The operator sits in a small room on the deck and controls endless combinations of colors and spray through a series of pipes and lights of 6000 candlepower.
The DAR has fundraising underway to improve the Bristol Green after 120 years of indifference. Bristol should show appreciation for it by making a green that is attractive like those in the villages of Norfolk, New Milford and Litchfield.
Bristol’s Assessment List tops $2.5 million. The inventory shows 883 houses, 108 mills, stores and manufacturers, 376 horses and 364 wagons and carriages.
Sports 125 Years Ago – August 1896
Our boys had the opportunity to show what they could do last Friday when matched with Torrington and acquitted themselves quite well. True, they were defeated, but by only one point.
100 Years Ago – August 1921
The city council heard protests from commuters to Hartford about the fare increase.
The council was asked to investigate the increase in the price of milk by local producers.
The council agreed to make up the deficit of the Seicheprey Post for the cost of flowers and ammunition for soldiers’ funerals in the amount of $160.
Mayor Dutton was directed to seek fire assurance for the materials being used in the new high school during construction.
The Wallace Barnes Company has established a branch factory in Hamilton, Ont.
Work on the new high school is progressing rapidly. The bricklayers commenced work this week.
Notice was posted by the N.L. Birge and Sons Co. forbidding bathing in the pond or raceway. The action was the result of vandalism. The police have had several complaints of bathers rushing about the lower part of the pond in the nude. The settlement of the Barnes-Snyder tract nearby have made this practice obnoxious to those in the area.
Chautaugua Week drew large crowds for musical entertainment and speeches under the big tent on the Federal Hill Green.
Mayor Dutton announced he will not seek reelection.
Sports 100 Years Ago – August 1921
New Departure came from behind and posted a win over the Elm City Giants by a score of 10 to 6. For the home team Halbach and Welch starred with the willow.
There were more than 1000 spectators present at the Rockwell Park Lagoon Friday to witness the water sports multiple races. A large red rubber ball was thrown into the middle of the lagoon and the contestants, all girls, swam out and an exciting struggle took place. It was finally brought to shore by Alma Harkey. Joseph Melino and Nick Melino took home the most ribbons.
75 Years Ago – August 1946
Howard Avery, 10, or Preston St. fell off a swing in the lot near his home and fractured his arm. Later that day Oscar Colburn, 12, of Frederick St. fell off the same swing and also fractured his arm.
A cave-in near the old copper mine claimed several trees but no injuries were reported.
A group of Bristol teens staged a sit in on the tobacco bus in Simsbury. They refused to leave the bus until the tobacco company officials agreed to a raise from 50 cents to 60 cents an hour.
Approximately 1800 witnessed the annual Playground Fair. The closing activity for the city’s six playgrounds displayed hundreds of articles made by children at their respective playgrounds.
The caucus lists show 2950 registered Democrats and 2182 registered Republicans in the city.
As schools prepare to open, the city will welcome 10 veterans back to the positions they vacated for the war. All returning veterans were offered positions, but some have gone on to other fields or are going back to school under the GI bill.
Sports 75 Years Ago – August 1946
Big Jimmy Galway hit for the cycle and the Cobras defeated Westfield 18-5 before a season best 1100 paid at Muzzy Field. Bristol High School athlete Eddie McHugh had a homer and three singles.
The Elites defeated the Cobras 2-1. A homer by rangy Dick Redman decided the contest.
George “King” Amsden defeated Ralph Strong for the city tennis title 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Mrs. Peg Yard defeated Mrs. Lenore Burneika for the women’s title.
The North Atlantic Regional Softball Tournament was held at Muzzy Field with a trip to the National Finals in Cleveland on the line.
50 Years Ago – August 1971
Two Bristol police officers were suspended for fishing while on duty.
The Finance Board agreed to apply for Federal funds for the Northwest Industrial Park sewers.
The US Army defended its purchase of an Ingraham competitor as the city’s unemployment rate soared to 24.5%.
The Democrats chose Sal Micucci to run for mayor against incumbent Stretch Norton on the sixth ballot. Councilman Frank Longo and fire commissioner Joe Scott announced plans to primary.
The Federal wage freeze is expected to cost Bristol teachers and others their negotiated increases.
The city will lose $303,000 in state aid as the legislature turned down an income tax proposal and approved a new budget.
Laurelcrest School closed its doors suddenly due to low enrollment. Students were transferred to Wilbraham-Monson Academy and 14 teachers were displaced by the closure.
Sports 50 Years Ago – August 1971
Naugatuck defeated Bristol 6-2 for the state American Legion Baseball championship before a record crowd of 2,969 at Muzzy Field despite a three-hit effort by Jim Ziogas.
West Woods/Greene-Hills playgrounds claimed the Olympiana Crown. Coaches Rick O’Brien and Fran Serratore accepted the Michaels Trophy from meet director Jack Carpenter. Dennis Hernandez of Stocks Playground broke the Olympiana records for the 50 yd and 100 yd dashes and Lily Richardson won both of those races for the Greene-Hills girls.
Bristol’s Marji Funk won the state golf title.
25 Years Ago – August 1996
The city Council passed an ordinance banning the use of silly string during special events within city limits.
State regulators threatened Bristol Water Company’s Cook’s Dam reservoir proposal in Harwinton.
The Herald-Press made its debut with its first ever Sunday edition.
Kennywood revealed big plans for Lake Compounce including replacing the Gillette train with a new train that will travel part way around the lake. The Park announced plans to open for the Labor Day weekend to keep its record of continuous operation intact.
Bristol Library announced plans to offer internet connections for city residents.
School Superintendent Edward Maher announced plans to retire at the end of the year.
Sports 25 Years Ago – July 1996
The Northeast Regional American Legion baseball tournament attracted major league scouts and fans to Muzzy Field. Yardley, PA won the tourney and went on to become the first team from the Northeast Regional to win the World Series.
Bristol’s Pito Alamo scored the game winner and Adam Platt pitched four strong innings to lead the South to a 4-3 win in the Zone 1 All Star game at Muzzy Field.
Diane Laviero and Brian Fries won the Ralph Strong Tennis Tournament titles.
Cranston, RI won the Little League regional tournament in Bristol to move on to Williamsport and the World Series.
Elijah Barnes became Chippanee’s youngest club champion by defeating defending champ Dick Day in the semis and then winning 1 up after 20 holes in the championship.
The McCabe-Waters Red Sox finished a 26-1 season with a 17-3 win over the Forestville Indians in the city series final. Sean Whitman, Dustin Payanis and Alex Armento each had three hits.
Sara Paradis led the McCabe-Waters Dodgers to the softball city series title over the Forestville Marlins with an 8-5 win in seven innings.
Bristol in Earlier Days is comprised of material from the annals of the Bristol Press.