Every Monday, staff writer Ed Lewis contributes a “look back” article detailing news stories from old Times Leader issues. This week’s proposal: Kirby’s 1922 effort to include a racetrack in his park’s plans during development.
The opening sentence gives you an idea of what was going on at the time. This concept was promoted by the Wilkes-Barre Riding and Driving Club. The very existence of such a hybrid entity, a group of car and horse enthusiasts celebrating together, speaks to a different era.
According to a post on oldmagazinearticles.com, in 1922 there were approximately 7.5 million automobiles across the United States. But at that time, there were only 48 states (New Mexico and Arizona were admitted in 1912), up from 46 states in 1911. Henry Ford’s company had already introduced his Model T in 1908, and gained widespread attention with his Model A in 1927.
In fact, the Roaring Twenties saw a huge increase in roaring car engines, with the number of registered drivers nearly tripling to 23 million by the end of the decade, according to ushistory.org . Perhaps that seemed like a lot at the time, but today it’s just a drop in the bucket. According to a report from statista.com, there will be approximately 283.4 million vehicles registered in the United States in 2022.
Well, somewhere between the lobbying for a racetrack at Kirby Park in 1922 and today, driving clubs and equestrian clubs went largely separate ways.
As an article in Monday’s edition pointed out, the club’s attempt to house horses in the park failed, just 12 days after an article reporting on the effort in the Wilkes-Barre Record (a morning paper merged with the Times) Members later abandoned the idea. Leader Evening News after the 1972 Agnes Flood).
The riding club itself was re-organized in 1922, restoring the structure that had existed in the 1880s and 1890s. For reference, in 1922 there were 7.5 million cars in the country, but according to a statista report, in 1900 there were about 8,000 (yes, only 3).
What is the club’s rationale? The 1922 article stated, “We are only seeking what is right and are only including the case for a half-mile track to enable them to enjoy their chosen sport against speed enthusiasts.” ” is reported.
“Kirby Park offers ideal facilities for horseback riding, and many equestrian enthusiasts take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the most rewarding and authentic outdoor sport,” the story continued. “Horse enthusiasts who do not live in remote rural areas now enjoy the benefits of open space because they are so close to the city yet far from motor traffic.”
And in a blatant nod to the sexism of the time, the story fondly recalls that “in the 1880s and 1890s, Wilkes-Barre was widely known as the home of many beautiful and famous female riders,” and later, during the era. change of. “However, the younger generation is in favor of automobiles. Therefore, the reorganization of the Wilkes-Barre Equestrian and Driving Club to revive horseback riding as a hobby still makes sense for the racetrack.”
Those who live in cities may wonder wistfully if this is still plausible today. Perhaps the historic Olmsted Trail, a small business offering guided horseback riding along private trails, comes to mind. A rustic retreat in the highly urbanized Wyoming Valley. A savvy entrepreneur could choose a school package for many students, a leisurely informative tour through the ruins of the near-legendary Olmsted Park, or even special needs that benefit from vestibular movement and a sense of body position. You could even create equine therapy for people with. Hoof hits the ground.
Ah, as they say, “If my dream was a horse…”
– Times Reader