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    Lake Compounce
    Lake Compounce
    Lake Compounce
    Ebook175 pages33 minutes

    Lake Compounce

    By Lynda J. Russell

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    About this ebook

    Founded in October 1846 by two local families, Lake Compounce began its transformation from a rustic summer resort into a bustling amusement park. Gad Norton and Isaac Pierce teamed together to build a park that utilized the lake's natural appeal for

    swimming, boating, and picnicking. Through vintage photographs, Lake Compounce highlights the park's long history of big bands, the Crocodile Club, the Wildcat roller coaster, and the William Gillette train. For generations, the park has been able to maintain its status as a local treasure while expanding and growing into what is today recognized as "America's pioneer playground."
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateSep 18, 2012
    ISBN9781439620434
    Lake Compounce
    Author

    Lynda J. Russell

    Lynda J. Russell, a resident of Bristol, is the author of Images of America: Bristol Historic Homes, Plainville, Lake Compounce, and Bristol Business and Industry. In addition to being a member of the historical societies in Bristol and Plainville, she serves on the City of Bristol Historic District Commission.

    Read more from Lynda J. Russell

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      Book preview

      Lake Compounce - Lynda J. Russell

      book.

      INTRODUCTION

      Lake Compounce was originally occupied by the Tunxis Indian tribe, a small sect from the Mattatuck tribe. In the 1600s, the chief was Nesaheagun. J.ohn A. Compound, whose name varied in the English translation, was highly regarded by the tribe. The tribe’s land consisted of several hundred acres adjacent to the lake. At this same time, the Norton family left England to come to America. The Nortons were among a party led by Thomas Hooker that finally settled in an area that became Farmington. In the third deed dated on December 2, 1684, Compound, along with 12 tribal members, transferred the title of the land to the Colonial settlers. This area became known as the Farmington Southwest Society. When this land was distributed in 1722, the lake, now known as Lake Compounce, and the adjacent land became the property of Samuel Steel and Thomas Orton, both prominent proprietors of Farmington. In 1779, their property became part of the town of Southington when it incorporated. This land changed owners several times until December 7, 1787, when it was purchased from the estate of Daniel Clark by Ebenezer Norton, a descendant of J.ohn Norton, one of the proprietors of Farmington.

      Gad Norton, grandson of Ebenezer, inherited both the farm and Lake Compounce. For a long time, only an occasional fisherman, family members, and neighboring children knew of this quiet place. With the new invention of the electric telegraph, Samuel Botsford, a scientist from Bristol, persuaded owner Gad Norton to allow him to do a series of experiments, including blowing up the lake. Advertisements on handbills announced a scientific exhibition at Lake Compounce to be held on October 6, 1846. When the day arrived, many families came along with men in the field of science. Music was played and refreshments were served. Seating was provided for the women and children. The program went well until the last event, the blowing up of the lake, which failed. The people enjoyed themselves that day and came back, bringing others along.

      Gad Norton built picnic tables and from a cart path built a road. In 1847, rowboats were placed on the lake and a tenpin alley was built. The road was opened around the lake, and an outdoor bandstand was built. In 1851, Gad Norton and Isaac Pierce became partners. Together they developed a park that became known as America’s Pioneer Playground. The boathouse was added that year, and in 1854 the Pleasure Wheel was added.

      On September 9, 1875, a sheep roast, a popular southern-style barbecue, was given by Norton and Pierce to the legislators in appreciation for changing both of their residences from Southington to Bristol. The lake remained part of Southington. This became the start of the annual event known as the Crocodile Club.

      The casino was built in 1895 with a ballroom upstairs and a dining room below. That same year, the Bristol and Plainville Tramway Company started bringing people to the park. Other trolley lines started coming from New Britain, Meriden, and Southington. Advertising in the Bristol Press hailed the park as a place factories, clubs, and family reunions could come to. The carousel was added in 1911 and the Green Dragon roller coaster added in 1914. On J.uly 27, 1928, the new Miss America came to the lake and crowned the new Miss Compounce, Sally Whittle of Bristol.

      In the 1930s, the casino was expanded, adding a roof, sidewalls, and a music shell. Many big bands played, including Tommy and J.immy Dorsey, Glen Miller, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Harry J.ames, and Benny Goodman. In 1944, the famous Gillette railroad train was added. In 1929, Chris Craft speedboats replaced the rowboats. Local entertainers Tex Pavel, Colonel Clown, and Slim Cox and the Cowboy Caravan performed on the lakefront stage in the 1950s.

      Lake Compounce remained under the ownership of

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