Compiled by Dave Greenleaf
150 Years Ago – February 1872
Some families in town and in Wolcott have been sorely afflicted with Scarlet Fever and some deaths have occurred, but we do not hear that the disease is spreading.
Charles Peck, who resides in the southwest part of town was crossing the narrow footbridge over the pond a few rods east of J.H. Root’s Factory and lost his balance and was precipitated into the water. He vigorously struck out for land but went instead in the direction of China. Someone who happened to be passing helped the struggling man ashore, otherwise a coroner’s inquest would have been held the next day.
125 Years Ago – February 1897
Mr. H.O. Miller of Edgewood narrowly escaped death Saturday noon. His horse took fright at a trolley car on North Main Street and he was thrown on the track in front of the approaching car. Motorman Will Coughlin promptly stopped the car before it reached Mr. Miller.
Bristol’s Grand List for 1896 was valued at $3,923,245.
The town approved creation of a third voting district, dividing the first district into two. The new district covers the southwest part of town to Center Street.
100 Years Ago – February 1922
Three were arrested and liquor was seized in a raid on the North Side Hotel.
A new X-Ray machine was donated to Bristol Hospital in the name of Lucy Treadway.
Bristol Hospital incorporators reported a very successful first year for the institution at the first annual meeting.
75 Years Ago – February 1947
The Bristol Brass local voted to secede from the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers. The Bristol Brass recognized the seceded group as the collective bargaining agent for the company.
The city began installation of 277 new street lights to be placed in the new Washington Heights tract off West Washington Street, the Sunnyridge tract off Farmington Ave., Bristol Estates off Middle Street near the airport and Rowe Place in Forestville.
Bristol merchants passed a resolution to oppose the proposed legislature bill that would implement a statewide sales tax. The proposed tax would add one cent to items costing up to 40 cents, two cents on items costing between 41 and 70 cents, and three cents on items from 71 cents to one dollar. An additional three cents would be added for each dollar.
Sports 75 Years Ago – February 1947
Eddie McHugh and Clyde Brouker led Bristol High to a 64-36 win over Hall to clinch the CCIL championship.
Park Street defeated South Side to claim the grammar school league championship. Vito Micucci, Johnny LaFrance and Ronald Choiniere led the Park Street team. Paul Trelli of South Side was the game’s high scorer with ten points.
Bristol High’s swimmers won their fifth straight CCIL title. The free style relay team of Stad. Johnson, Pete Dube, Ray Emond and Ray Lamaire set a new pool and Bristol High record.
Jennie Vodarski and Hedwig Gredzinski sparked the St. Stanislaus girls basketball team to claim its first ever Polish League title.
Eddie McHugh set a new Bristol High School single game scoring record with 30 points in an 83-40 win over Crosby to wrap up the regular season.
50 Years Ago – February 1972
The city worked to untangle the zoning mess that threatened the Middle Street Industrial Park Project. Redevelopment Commissioner Robert Fiondella put a three month deadline on clearing obstacles for the project.
Edward Ingraham, retired president of E. Ingraham Co. and founder and only president of the American Clock and Watch Museum suffered a fatal heart attack while working at the museum.
The police union called Mayor Frank Longo unethical after vote against ratification of the new contract.
The Board of Education voted to give teachers back pay to September after the lifting of the Federal wage and price freeze.
Democratic Registrar of Voters Sal Micucci accused Republican Registrar Eleanor Klapatch of spending too much time working on party activities rather than registrar duties on the job.
Bristol resident Adam Brajczewski, winner of the New York State lottery, purchased the first 20 tickets in a ceremony launching the new Connecticut State Lottery.
Bristol Eastern High School student James Krolikowski won $5,000 in the state’s first ever lottery drawing.
Sports 50 Years Ago – February 1972
Bristol Eastern basketball snapped a 12-game losing streak with 64-62 win over Maloney.
Bristol Eastern downed Bristol Central 32-15 in the annual showdown of city wrestlers.
Bristol Eastern (3-16) edged Bristol Central 56-53 in the season finale behind Pat Deegan’s 21 points. Mike Scalia had 20 to lead Central (5-15).
Bristol Eastern’s swimmers claimed the Ray Lamaire trophy with a 55-46 win over Bristol Cental..
25 Years Ago – February 1997
City Republicans told the Chamber of Commerce to back off on push for a golf course in the Hoppers.
Norm Beland’s retirement ended 52 years at the Bristol Boys and Girls Club.
The city settled with former Bristol Housing Authority Director Samuel Kasparian for $73,000 in age discrimination suit.
A deal was set in place for the sale of the General Motors property on Chippens Hill, expected to close by summer.
The Board of Education abandoned plans to phase in the new block schedule after administrators and teachers said the phase in plan was too difficult to implement.
The Board of Finance approved a $40 million renovation project for the city’s two high schools.
City officials discussed a proposal to build a new athletic field in the space between the ponds at Rockwell park. Opposition by park users grew immediately.
Lake Compounce added Top Spin, a chair lift to the top of the mountain and a lake excursion boat to the list of new rides for the 1997 season.
Sports 25 Years Ago – February 1997
Six three-pointers by Bryan Lalonde in the final three minutes were not enough for Bristol Central as Bristol Eastern held on for a 58-54 win in the first meeting between city teams.
Bristol Central wrestling coach Dennis Siegmann earned his 300th victory in 50-19 win over Hand.
St. Paul outlasted Bristol Central 45-36 in a city series matchup.
Bristol Eastern completed a sweep over the Bristol Central girls basketball team 60-42, but the Rams salvaged a city series win with a 46-41 win over St. Paul in the season finale.
Bristol native Stacey Porrini wrapped up a record setting career at the University of Maine.
Bristol in Earlier Days is comprised of items from the annals of the Bristol Press.