Compiled by Dave Greenleaf
150 Years Ago – September 1871
A hook and ladder company is in the process of being organized in the village. The town passed a vote last year to equip such a company but nothing has been done until now. The company has organized with 26 members and James Hanna was elected foreman.
The Bristol Savings Banks now has assets amounting to over $100,000. It has been organized a little over a year and the vast amount of business it is doing proves that it was a necessity to the place.
Mr. Charles Ives is about to open a dry goods store on the North Side.
The Center School has challenged the high school teachers to a game of baseball on Saturday at 1 pm on the hill.
125 Years Ago – September 1896
The Crocodiles held their 20th annual meeting at Lake Compounce.
The new German Lutheran Church was dedicated at the corner of School St. and Orchard Ave.
He Bristol Fair at Hickory Park drew many exhibits.
A demonstration showed the new method of teaching history and geography at South Side School by means of a stereopticon.
Sports 125 Years Ago – September 1896
Bicycle races were held at the fair. The Bristol races were well bunched. E.H. Moulthrop made a spurt at the end to nip B.H. Goodwin. The first place winner received a gold medal and the second place prize was a dress suitcase.
100 Years Ago – September 1921
More than 5,000 attended Rockwell Day to honor the park benefactors over the Labor Day weekend.
An ancient box turtle was picked up at Lake Compounce over the weekend. The turtle was first picked up by Mr. Gad Norton who carved his initials GEN and the year 1873 into the bottom shell. The same turtle was found in 1912 by his son Irving Norton who added the year 1912 to the carving. Mr. Norton picked up the same turtle this week and released it back to the wild where it is hoped it will spend another 48 years.
Work on the boulevard is due to be completed by Oct. 19. Mr. Rockwell reported that his expenses will be about $150,000 which is $40,000 below the budgeted amount.
Officer James McNamee of Forestville was involved in a liquor transportation case while on duty in the Village. He spotted the truck coming out of an alley on East Main St and commandeered a car to give chase. The vehicle was stopped near the Plainville Campgrounds after officer McNamee fired a shot between the two occupants shattering the windshield. Mr. Richard J, Byrnes was fined $200 for transporting whiskey in violation of state law.
James T. Murray and John F. Wade were chosen to run for mayor in a close primary election. Harry C. Barnes ran third. Less than 100 votes separated the three candidates. Women voted in large numbers.
The city approved a bond of $1,300,000 to pay for the new firehouse, the boulevard, the new high school and the furnishings for the high school. The bond is payable by 1952.
The temporary hospital will open at the corner of South and George Streets with a capacity of 20 beds.
The timetables for train service will be adjusted for the return to standard time next week. All fourteen trains out if the Bristol station will depart one hour later at the same time as the current schedule.
Sports 100 Years Ago – September 1921
Several hundred Bristol fans saw New Departure top Manchester at M. Nebo Field. Eddie Goodridge pitched the locals to the win.
The Royal Giants of Bristol defeated New Departure 4-0 at Muzzy Field thanks to many errors by the local team.
75 Years Ago – September 1946
Welcome Home Week honors the city’s returning World War II Veterans with a parade down North Main, Main and School Streets that was viewed by more than 50,000
A committee led by Mr. Henry Cottle is compiling a history of the City’s war effort to be put into a book.
The city is considering a proposal to add a new street from Fenn St at the Boulevard to cross the Pequabuck River to Riverside Ave.
City expenses showed an increase of $139,000 to 1.8 million for 1946.
Mrs. Elof L. Carlson donated Camp Carlson on South Mountain to the girl scouts.
Sports 75 Years Ago – September 1946
Plainville defeated Bristol High School 28-0 in the season football opener. New Britain downed the locals 13-7 in the second game.
50 Years Ago – September 1971
Bristol’s unemployment problems were portrayed for a national audience on NBC’s “First Tuesday”. Offers of help from across the country followed.
The city turned over 6.8 acres of land at Victory Heights to a developer for the construction of new affordable homes.
The police board reinstated Officer Thur Hewitt after his suspension for his involvement in a deadly shooting earlier in the year.
The Board of Education told local teachers that they will not receive a negotiated pay raise due to the Federal Wage-price Freeze.
Former Governor John Dempsey took the spotlight at the 96th annual Crocodile Club meeting at Lake Compounce.
Associated Spring announced the acquisition of British spring manufacturer Herbert Terry and Sons Ltd.
Twelve people were injured when a city bus lost its brakes on Gridley Street and crashed through the service bay at Atwood Chevrolet on West St.
Frank Longo won the Democratic primary for mayor over endorsed candidate Sal Micucci.
Sports 50 Years Ago – September 1971
Both the Rams and the Lancers fared well in the annual football jamboree played before more than 6,000 fans at Muzzy Field.
Steve Phelps drove in the tying and winning run to lead the Bees to the Scott League title. The Eagles won the Monahan League championship.
Tony Plansky and Mrs. Hannah Hittleman won city tennis titles.
25 Years Ago – September 1996
Lake Compounce kept its continuous operation streak alive by opening for one day over the Labor Day weekend.
Cost overruns at the new pool at the Little League complex were kept hidden by Park Superintendent Dennis Malone prompting a controversy that ran for most of the month before all parties came to an agreement.
A near riot erupted at Cambridge Park after police arrested a motorist who attempted to run down a police officer.
The city council finalized the ordinance banning silly string and stink bombs despite ridicule from TV and other media.
The city celebrated the 75th anniversary of Memorial Boulevard and discovered six new names to add to the Memorial.
The Centre Mall closed down its food court to discourage loitering.
Sports 25 Years Ago – September 1996
The annual football jamboree was discontinued to allow local teams to play more meaningful scrimmages.
The Fradette Agency team won its second straight Connecticut Men’s Senior League championship. Bart Beardsley and Dave Cichon combined to pitch a three-hitter in the final.
Reinaldo Soto led Bristol Eastern football to three straight wins to open the season
Bristol in Earlier Days is comprised of material from the annals of the Bristol Press.