Thread City Cyclers - Part 1 by Pete Zizka 8-27-2022 |
A quick look through City Directories for the
years from 1890 through around 1915, there were at least 35 different
civic and social organizations in Willimantic and it was not unusual for
a person to be a member of five or more of these organizations. In 1892,
George E. Hinman gathered together about twenty bicycle enthusiasts in
photographer Charles Townsend’s rooms on Main Street and organized a
bicycle club which was to be called “The Thread City Cycle Club”. The
first officers to be elected were Charles Townsend, President; Dwight
Abel, Vice-President; George Hinman, Secretary and William Jordan,
Treasurer. Hinman was publisher of the Willimantic Journal and later
became State Attorney
General, and then a judge of the State
Superior Court. The group formed during the
nationwide bicycling boom and soon became highly active in local
and civic affairs during its almost 30-year history. Almost immediately,
the club attracted many of the city’s upcoming and influential young
men. The club members either hosted or participated in many different
bicycle races and contests throughout the state and within a year had
won six trophies. George Hinman was one of the first to win a prize when
he won second place (and the prize of a bookcase) in the Eastern
Connecticut Cycle Club team race. The Cycler’s William P. Jordan (who
was to become a prominent Willimantic businessman), Dickerson.G. Baker
also won prizes, having come in first in one of the events. When the
train that the team was on came into the depot upon its return from
Rockville, “the team was surprised to find the city illuminated with
fire of all colors and the Thread City Band in waiting to do honor and
be escort to the victors”. An impromptu parade was organized and
everyone marched up Main Street. Later in the year, the members adopted
a new constitution and reorganized as “The Thread City Cyclers”. The TCC
set up their first major event in July, 1894. It included ten different
events, each with first, second and third place prize. By the time the
club held its annual meeting in April, 1895, the club had fifty active
members and sixty associate members. The club’s meeting rooms were
located in the Tilden Building and was said to have “elegantly furnished
meeting rooms”. In 1895, the TCC held their fourth annual race meet at
the Fairgrounds. The highly successful event drew around 4,000
spectators. Even though it was held on a Friday, all places of business
were closed (except for the mills and the saloons). During the next few
years, the club greatly expanded its activities. Soon, basketball,
baseball and pool teams were formed within the club. The club would also
soon begin sponsoring dances, lectures, concerts and many other types of
social activities. We’ll take a look at some of them. In 1897, the club
hosted a “Smoker” which was deemed “a most enjoyable affair”. About 75
members and invited guests, “were made to feel very welcome to the cozy
and cheerful parlors of the club”. People played whist or billiards and
there was a good deal of entertainment with quartets singing and a good
deal of violin and piano playing.” The Cyclers served their guests with
lemonade, hot coffee and sandwiches”. Click on photo for larger version |
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