SC Rewind: Horses & Hotels

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls the 'link' that once existed between Hotel owners and harness horses. He also asks for readers input in recalling the many people who once combined these two attributes.

In times past, one of the most important establishments in any community, large or small, was the local hotel. It not only provided rest and shelter for weary travelers, it was also a central meeting and dining place. Also not to be overlooked was the beverage room where a lot of very important "business" was transacted. In the old days, many hotels served as landmarks and were an important part of local history. Not all but many possessed at least some architectural beauty and often had rather Regal names.

Some of the better hotels were known for their dining and hospitality qualities; a few even had their own fine china with the name of the hotel etched on each serving piece. Meals were served by courteous wait staff on fine linen tablecloths in the better places. Of course not all met these lofty criteria, but nearly all had something special about them. Truth be known, I have personally spent a bit of time within the hallowed halls that I have attempted to describe. I have stayed at the odd place where a rope coiled up near a window served as the fire escape...a rather consoling thought. I also remember when an attempt at civility took the form of two separate beverage rooms. One was called "Ladies and Escorts", while the other was listed simply as "Men's Room". Draft beer was usually the order of the day, and at 10 or 15 cents a glass it was a 'good thing'.

For whatever reason, many old time hotel owners also owned, trained, bred and raced harness horses. Some went by the hotel moniker, others just used their own name. Dr. John Findley, the subject of a recent Rewind once told me about the affinity between hotels and harness racing. He said "at one time every small town in the country, especially in Quebec, had a hotel and a half mile track. What wasn't decided at one, usually was at the other."

This picture of a huge crowd at Montreal's Richelieu Park shows a good view of the Richelieu Hotel at the top of the stretch. Patrons often watched the races from the second floor.

One of the best known and highly patronized hotels in days gone by was part of the Richelieu Park track in Montreal aptly named Hotel Richelieu. Hector Clouthier Jr., whose father owned and operated The Northwood Hotel in Pembroke as well as owning a large stable of horses, recently shared some of his early memories of watching the races from there. He has some very happy recollections spent trackside at the Richelieu Hotel. He was always very well treated by the owner Mr. Hubert Soucie who also owned and bred a number of horses at his Richelieu Farm. Below is a short note sent to me recently by Hec.

"One of the famous "watering holes" was the Richelieu Hotel in Montreal. Many many times I watched the races from there when I was a kid because at that time anyone under 18 was not allowed in the grandstand. There was a flat balcony on the second floor and Mr. Soucie made sure I had a chair to sit on. It afforded the best seat in the house for the drive to the wire.. ..ahh, the good old days and happy memories. I even watched Adios Butler set the Canadian record from that vantage point. "

On a rather light hearted note Hector theorized as to why so many horse owners also may have owned hotels. "Perhaps the horses drove them to drink! More than likely the horse people gathered at the local watering hole to discuss the reason for the win or the defeat of their horse's last race."

Shown above is the Queen's Hotel in Stratford, for many years the property of Mr. Dave Pinkney. He was a harness racing enthusiast throughout his lifetime, owning many horses over the years. He was also a noted racing promoter who organized the annual or oftener race days at the Stratford fairgrounds.

On race day, a room was set aside at the hotel and competing horsemen dropped by after the races to pick up their day's earnings. Mr. Pinkney staged a number of outstanding promotional events including a 1950 exhibition mile by Proximity, the sport's greatest trotter at the time.

An aerial view of The Northwood Hotel located in Pembroke, Ont. It was owned and operated by Hector Clouthier Sr. who also owned and raced a large stable of horses for several decades. The Ottawa River is visible in the background. [Clouthier Family archives]

I am going to offer a short list of 10 or 12 hotel proprietors who were also involved in some way with harness racing. I would encourage others in the reading audience to send in the names of those you may recall. My 'starter' list is not in any order, and I know there are many more to be added.

Wm & Jack Herbert - Brunswick Hotel; London, Ont.
Alex Parsons - Royal Alex Hotel; London, Ont.
Lindley Fraser - Fraser's Hotel; Forest, Ont.
Stu Simpson - Alvinston, Ont.
Henry Ingram - Magog Hotel; Sherbrooke, Que.
Hotel St. Maurice - Three Rivers, Que.
Lucien Dugre - Union Hotel; Sherbrooke, Que.
Harry Fields - Cayuga, Ont.
Gentners Hotel - Batavia, N.Y.
Art Brown - Leamington Hotel

(Happy Thanksgiving! I would like to offer my personal best wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving day to everyone. May your day however you choose to celebrate it be a joyful one.)