Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Recluse Farm, Clark P. Thompson

Maine History Documents

Recluse Farm, the home of James and Jane Edgecomb, was located in South Hiram off the New Settlement Road about four miles from the village of Cornish, Maine. In June of 1883, veterinarian George H. Bailey visited the farm, known for breeding trotting horses, and published an article in the Maine Farmer. This article provides highlights and commentary related to Bailey's account.

General Tilton And Togus Farm, Clark P. Thompson

Maine History Documents

While many may be familiar with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Center at Togus near Augusta, Maine, few are aware that it was once the home of a small but significant breeding farm for trotting horses. The facility started serving Civil War veterans in 1866, then called the National Asylum for Disabled Soldiers.

The property was originally owned by Horace Beal of Rockland, and when Beal learned that mineral springs were located on the property, he seized upon a plan to build a Saratoga like spa. Beal invested heavily in the property, building a large hotel, bathing house, racetrack and stables. …

Maine's Cradle Of The Trotter, Clark P. Thompson

Maine History Documents

This article notes that although many histories point to Orange County in New York as being the true "cradle of the trotter," within the state of Maine, this designation might rightly go to Kennebec County.

George H. Bailey, D.V.S., Clark P. Thompson

Maine History Documents

This article provides biographical information about noted Maine veterinarian George H. Bailey, 1832-1905. He was also an owner, breeder, and trainer of trotting horses for over 25 years and made many contributions to the horse breeding industry of Maine.

George H. Bailey's Week In Kentucky, Clark P. Thompson

Maine History Documents

The noted Maine horseman and veterinarian George H. Bailey made his first trip to the bluegrass region of Kentucky in the fall of 1885. Upon his return, he wrote a series of six letters published in the Maine Farmer in 1885 and 1886 that compared the two states in breeding trotting horses. This article provides a summary and commentary on each of Bailey's letters.