In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith takes a look back to 1979 and recalls the official opening of the brand new Armstrong Farms complex. The Armbro name stands out in the history of Canadian harness racing in a very special way.
On Sunday, Oct. 7, 1979 more than 1,300 people attended the long-awaited official opening and yearling showing at the new Armstrong Farm in Brampton, Ont. It was a gala affair, one seldom seen in the world of harness racing. Premier Wm. Davis presided over the ribbon cutting ceremony while Corporate Affairs minister Frank Drea assisted. Others involved were farm manager Dr. Glen Brown, Dorothy Armstrong (Mrs. Ted Armstrong), Charles Armstrong and Don Booth, Canadian Standardbred Horse Society (CSHS) President.
Oct. 7, 1979 - A portion of the huge crowd is shown at the grand opening of the new Armstrong complex. (Hoof Beats Photo)
On Oct. 7, the all-new Armstrong Farms was officially dedicated. Hon. Bill Davis, premier of Ontario, cuts the official ribbon held by Dr. Roland Armitage (far right) president of The Canadian Trotting Association, and Don Booth (left), president of The Canadian Standardbred Horse Society (Hoof Beats)
The two founding Armstrong fathers, brothers Elgin (left) and Ted, passed away in 1977 and 1978 and unfortunately did not see the new ultra-modern operation completed although they were both part of the original planning sessions. Dr. Brown did show Elgin through one of the barns during construction but he did not see the finished product.
The new complex located on Highway 10, north of Brampton, was described at the time of its opening as "one of North America's most opulent showcase breeding centres." It featured four modern 254-foot long barns, complete with all of the most up to date mechanical systems. The barn's basic floor plan, first seen in New Jersey and modified, each was expected to house about 100 broodmares. Plans for two additional barns were in the works.
Additionally the 9,000 square foot office complex contained several offices, a computerized accounting system and space to entertain buyers and visitors. The trophy room and apartment were added features.
A portion of the crowd at the official opening held Oct. 7, 1979 are shown watching the parade of yearlings. (Hoof Beats photo)
An interesting part of the new land holdings known as the Smith House was saved and in fact is still standing and will undoubtedly continue to exist virtually forever. It is pictured below as it was in 1979 with a further description.
The Smith House, designated as a historical structure, has a long and interesting history. All of the barns, silos and related buildings standing at the new farm site when it was purchased were leveled. Only the farmhouse built in 1865 by John Smith, an auctioneer, farmer and MPP for Peel County in the mid-1880's was saved and restored to be a guest house. For many years it served as the front entrance view of the new farm which was built from scratch (Hoof Beats photo)
An article appearing in the October 1979 issue of Hoof Beats covering the Armstrong gathering contained the following description:
"The gathering was treated to all the standard fare associated with a party of this type. Enough deviled eggs and beef and ham and little celeries stuffed with cheese to feed a small Canadian town. But the Armstrong philosophy has never been to strive for average. Grand scale, "best damn," sumptuous and elegant were more the styles of a J. Elgin or Ted Armstrong."
A part of the big day celebrating the farm opening included a performance from a world renowned musician named Spiegle Willcox, a famous saxophone player there as a favour to a relative with Armstrong connections. Also from Hoof Beats was the following:
"The 76-year-old musician entertained an interesting mix of people. A democratic sort of crowd numbering well over a thousand. Women in expensive jewels and minks on the arms of men clothed in designer suits rubbed elbows with farmers in leisure suits whose women wore slacks bought off a rack. Together, they fawned over a veritable Who's Who in North American harness racing and Ontario politics."
(Hoof Beats photo)
The Armstrong Brothers life story is an extremely interesting tale. They were born on a farm south of Brampton. In 1929 at the dawn of the Depression they started a business known as Armstrong Brothers Company. With just a few dump trucks and a small employee base, they performed simple construction projects in the Peel County area. In time the firm grew by leaps and bounds and their scope of activity was almost endless. No job was too large for them and at one time they constructed a 100-mile strip of Highway 401! Their projects carried them to many parts of the globe, but Ontario was always home. With brother Ted acknowledged as "the engineering genius" of the two, the firm constantly improved in every facet of its operation. They were among the first to use computers to speed their processes.
Despite their rise to prominence and the enormous growth the enterprise experienced over the years, the ethics code of their business never changed. They treated everyone with the utmost respect and continued to remember their old friends and business colleagues as they had done as a fledgling operation. Virtually everything they did was aimed at contributing to the growth and wellness of the sport and business of harness racing in general and particularly in Canada. The word "Class" could be attached to anything the Armstrongs said or did, and it was always done with sincerity, good taste and caring.
In the early years the farm was located on No. 7 Highway just west of No. 10 in the City of Brampton. That site contained around 300 acres with adjoining land leased from Elgin's son Charlie plus another 100-acre site on the edge of Caledon used as a yearling farm (Armbro Flight was raised there). In 1978 (completed the following year) when the move to Inglewood was made, the Armstrongs put together approximately 1,100 acres which was the peak of their operation and remained so for many years. Much of that acquisition was put together by Elgin Armstrong and of course involved purchasing several farms. A number of employees lived on various farms.
In 2004 the Armstrong dynasty closed out its long and successful existence, but the Armbro name will forever be etched in the history of Canadian Harness Racing.
Quote For The Week: On the subject of rising early in the morning..."It's alright for you young fellows to lay around, but I haven't got a hell of a lot of time left, and I've got a lot to do yet." - Words of The Honorable William Earl Rowe, lieutenant governor of Ontario from 1963 to 1968, spoken at age 78.
Who Is It?
Shown above is one of the many great Armstrong owned and bred performers following a victory. Several Armstrong connections were in the photo which may have been at The Red Mile. Can you name this world class mare who performed around the years of 1970? A check of the photo will tell if she was a pacer or a trotter.
Who Else Is It?
Can You identify these six fellows who were sharing a meal after the races? If you can name them all, give it a go.
The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.
The industry recently lost…
The industry recently lost Anne Philips (Armstrong). She was an owner of John Burns…..incredibly nice person…I remember her Mom, Dorothy coming to see the horses at Greenwood.