New Britain herald., 1915-03-12
RYDER RACE TRACK TO
60 OUT OF EXISTENCE
Park, Once Famous, VIII Be Con-
VeTted Inio Sand Pits Soon.
WAS ONCE On GRAND Circuit
Was Connecticut Most Popular Race
Course Years Ago-Many Important
Races Recalled at Time of Its Pass
ing-FuncraI of Mrs. O'Hara.

ing-FuncraI of Mrs. O'Hara.
Plans Of Charles p, Hart for con-
Nerting his newly acquired property
into sand pits will make necessary in
the near future the recording of the
passing of Ryder's park, which at one
time was probably the best known
race track in New England. The
course Will soon disappear, Mr. Hart
proposing to use a section of it for
MS sand business. He recently
bought the entire track, consisting Of
thirty acres, from S. N. Ryder, in
whose family the title was held for
Years. Mr.. Ryder kept a small piece
of land on which his home is located
and it is his intention to continue
living on the premises.
The park came into existence as a
race track about half a century ago,
Edward A. Squires, a noted horse
man, building the course. For years
the place was known throughout New
England on account Of the big races,
some of the countrys most famous
horses having been entered in the
matinees held on the course Before
Charter Oak was made into a race
track the grand circuit races were
held at Ryder's and sports from all
over New England came here to fol-
low the ponies. Plainvile was then
famous as a horse racing town and
the old residents have, many interest
Ing stories concerning the visits of
noted sports from all over the coun-
try. .-.
After the place came into Mr..
Ryders possession through inherit
ance, there were small races on the
park for few years. Mr.. Ryder
himself was greatly interested in
raising thoroughbreds and at one
time he had some valuable animals in
his stables. After Charter Oak be-
came recognized as the states prin-
Cipal race track, Ryder's was used but
little, although the place was made
training quarters for several horses
during the winter months until two
years ago.
The hotel building, which Mr..
Ryder now uses as his home, was q
we'll known hosiery at one time.
While the races were in progress it
was we'll patronized and even after
the park was abandoned as q race
fairly profitable.
The new owner has made plans to
conduct the sand business on q more
extensive scale than ever. He has
purchased a large auto truck for de-
livery purposes. During the coming
summer he expects his pits on the
New Britain road will supply him with
enough sand to make 1T necessary to
use but small part of the Ryder
however, to eventually use up prac-
'sesodold Oh 'ss7uIsnq STU Io1 NIRd |
ticaly the entire track for sand pits |
Interest i'm Concert. II
There is considerable interest in the
and lecture to be given in !
the town hall next Tuesday night in |
with the st. Patrick's en-
for the benefit of the |
Church of Our Lady of Mercy. The |
speaker will be Rev. James Barrett |
Of Hartford. one of the most talented !
lecturers in the state.
The church choir, augmented by |
tot town artists, is rehearsing reg
ularly for the part it is to take in
he entertainment and it is expected |
hat the musical program will be of |
4 high order.
Interest taken in the affair indicates
that there will be a large atten-
lance.
Funeral of Mrs. O'Hara.
The funeral of Mrs. Henry O'Hara,
who died suddenly yesterday at her
nome on Elm Court, will be held to-
borrow morning at o'clock from
he Church Of Our Lady Of Mercy.
A high mass of requiem will be cell
ebrated and the burial will be in st.
Toseph's cemetery.
Mrs. O'Hara's death was a big shock
o her relatives and friends and the
mem bers Of her family have the sym
oathy' of the entire community.
May Complete Double Tracking.
That the Connecticut company pro-
poses to extend it's double track from
he Electric Field to q point near
he Trunibul1 Electric com pany's plant
his summer, thus completing a con-
.inuous stretch of double iron from
New Britain to P1ainville, is currently |
reported. Surveyors, employed by
he company, have been at work on
he layout for the extra tracks dur
ng the past few weeks and it is Caid
hat an appropriation for this i'm
is to be included in the
expense estimates for this
ear.
The tracks will be on the com pany's
own property and consequently the
work may be started at any time
Without seeking the permission Of
own or state officials.
The proposed Improvement is one
hat is highly desirable as 1t will elm
nate all danger Of repetition OF
collisions such as occurred on the line
Turing the past few years.
Wheeler Will Preside.
Frank T. Wheeler returned home !
asst evening from Atlantic City where, /
with Mrs. Wheeler, he had been spend