USA > Vermont > Addison County > Bristol > History of Bristol, Vermont, 1762-1959, 2nd ed. > Part 7
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The work of the early settlers in killing the rattlesnakes was very effective for it has been over 100 years since any of these snakes have been seen in Bristol.
Barker Charcoal Kiln - Midway between the Money Diggings and Rattlesnake Den, at the foot of South Mountain, lies the ruins of the Barker charcoal kiln, so-called from the small stream of that name on which it was situated. The usual method of obtaining charcoa was to heap the hardwood to be burned in a large pile on the ground and pack the earth all around it before firing it. It was a very arduous task as the current of air entering the kiln had to be regulated and the fire watched constantly. The Barker kiln was more extensive than the usual type being a stone enclosure, laid up with mortar, about 10 feet high and 20 feet square. Openings the size of bricks were made on all four sides for drafts and bricks kept on hand to fill these openings when it was necessary to close the drafts. The south side of this kiln is still in almost perfect condition and is an interesting place to visit when one is the vicinity.
The Cobble Cave - In the extreme south part of the town a short distance from the Middlebury line is a large round hill known as "The Cobble" which stands considerably above the surrounding land. On the south side of this hill and near the top is a barrel shaped cave which is often visited. The entrance to this cave is very narrow, but after one has forced his way through it he enters a large room where the remains of a limestone stalactite can be seen, which was long ago broken off and carried away. This cave is very easy to reach as it is a short distance from Route 116.
Burnham's Falls and Drake Woods - Burnham's Falls, in Drake Woods is also a point of interest. Orin Burnham owned and operated one of the early forges in Bristol just above these falls. This forge did not do well and Mr. Burnham became depressed as a result of which he committed suicide by jumping over the falls which have been known ever since as Burnham's Falls.
There was at that time no road through Drake Woods and the cre, which was mined in Crown Point. New York, was drawn by ox team over a long road which wound around through Starksboro before reaching the forge. At last a road was opened through these woods and there is a story that to celebrate this event Mr. Drake. the proprietor of a public house on the Starksboro road adjacent to the newly opened road, gave a party to which he invited the public. Here rum flowed freely and before the night was over the merrymakers had thrown
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Mr. Drake into the fireplace fortunately without causing him any harm. It was due to this celebration, so generously provided by Mr. Drake, But that this section received the name of Drake Woods.
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Recreation
Bristol Recreation Club - Baseball has formed an integral part ofOn the recreational life of Bristol ever since the close of the Civil War. tob A team known as the Moutaineers were playing games during the 1870's. For seven years they were undefeated and won the state champion- un ship at Essex Junction. In the '90's the Bristols, a semi-professional łod team rocketed to fame under the management of Hoyt Landon.
The home grounds of the Mountaineers was our present park beg which was then used chiefly as a grazing ground. The ball field where the Bristols played was Riverside Park, on the south side of New Haven River across from the Basin, a plot now overgrown with trees. This park was reached by means of a footbridge which was so often washed out by high waters that the field was finally abandoned. Sev- eral places were tried after this but were found unsatisfactory. The need of a recreation field became acute about 1922 and the Recreation Club was then formed and bought the land, consisting of about 13 acres, which is the present recreation field. In 1923 work was begun on the field under the direction of V. I. Patnode, chairman of the grounds committee, to make a baseball diamond and lay out two tennis courts. R. C. Martin, Ralph Shadrick, B. W. Estey and Ford Thomas are among the charter members deserving credit for the progress. The task was a hard one for boulders and stumps had to be blasted out, debris removed and fill-ins made. Water was piped onto the field, the grounds were wired for electricity and the bleachers were built. The original grandstand was destroyed by high wind and replaced by the present one.
This field now serves the High School for its contests of baseball, soccer, football, etc., as well as provides tennis courts and ice-skating rink for community use.
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The Club is maintained by membership dues and an annual donation of $300.00 from the town and village. In conjunction with the Legion,
bas the Recreation Club sponsors a Fourth of July celebration which isan known as the County A-fair, lasting three or four days and the proceeds cla are equally divided between the two clubs.
The Bristol Riding Club was organized January 7, 1955 under the leadership of Mrs. Juna Perlee, with 16 members. In the spring of 1956 with the help of interested townspeople, the members built a riding ring on the north east corner of the recreation field on Liberty St. They held their first junior horse show May 6, 1956 and it was so successful they have continued to have one each spring and fall. Around 80 horses of various sizes, breeds and types are entered, y coming from many parts of Vermont and neighboring New York state. With the money they earn from the shows and also from pony rides nu they are able to truck their horses to other shows. The members enjoy trail rides and paticipate in local parades.
Airport - At a special Town Meeting held in Bristol, January 25, Mi 1934, the legal voters appropriated a sum of money for the construction of an airport and authorized the selectmen to purchase a tract of land for same. The location was acquired from the following people, Spencer ai Lawrence, Ira Stewart, Bristol Recreation Club, John A. Kilbourn,
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tuby Gilmore, Frank Duprey, Celia Jimmo, Village of Bristol and 'eter Cousino. This was a total of 45.68 acres which cost $2,673.41.
The town alone has expended the sum of $6,029.45 for labor and upplies in construction of the airport, while the WPA project of the 'ederal Government up to December, 1939, had expended $26,000. In November 9, 1939, a new WPA appropriation of $24,750 was allocated o be expended on the field.
It was planned to have four runways, but only the north and south unway of 2,200 feet in length was ever finished and is the one in use oday.
Pilot Joseph Rock operated a private flying course for students eginning July, 1936. He trained 86 students the first year, using a Taylor Cub 50 H. P. Model. In the year 1939 the Private Flying Division f the U. S. Civil Aeronautics Authority granted a quota of 20 students o Middlebury College to train for private flying. This class trained with Ir. Rock at the Bristol Airport as Middlebury had no flying field at hat time. By December 18, 1939, twelve of the twenty students ncluding two girls had soloed. Among the number were six Vermont oys. Miss Dale of Rochester, N. Y. was the first girl in New England o solo under this instruction sponsored by the Private Flying Division f the C. A. A.
In 1946 it was estimated there were 6,844 take-offs and landings n the field made by local and visiting planes. Eleven private and two ommercial ratings were issued. That year the Bristol Airport was ne of the seventy Airports in the whole United States to receive Good Airport Operation Private Certificate.
At one time there were five buildings connected with the Airport. One of these was taken over by the town for storage space. The Administration Building is now being used for a Teen Age Community enter under adult supervision.
The Airport is under the management and care of the Bristol electmen.
Bristol Pond, Lake Winona - Bristol Pond which is located at the ase of Hogback Mountain about three miles north of the village played n important part in the early history of Bristol. Undoubtedly of lacial origin it now covers approximately 200 acres, but at a much arlier period of geological history it must have been one of the larger nd deeper lakes in this section of the state. Proof of this is found n the extensive swamp and marsh, bounding the lake on three sides, which doubtless was at one time part of the pond and must have dded several acres to its area. Vegetable matter has washed from he nearby hills until the basin is nearly filled with it.
The first camp was built soon after 1900, on the northeast corner, y David Bosworth and Charles Mathewson of Bristol. Due to their ospitality the camp was often used by their friends for fishing, duck unting and picnics. After some years the camp became uninhabitable or camping and about 1930 was destroyed by fire.
Due to the swamp condition the pond at first was badly infested vith water snakes. This perhaps hindered the development of the ond as a recreation area. At the present time few snakes are seen. Perhaps the beaver should be thanked for this as the dams they built aised the water level of the pond by two feet. This also greatly mproved the fishing where today many kinds of fish are found including Torthern pike, perch, bull pouts and an abundance of sun fish.
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For many years the Johnson Lumber Company of Bristol cut lumber off the east or mountain side of the lake. This necessitated building good logging roads to the pond both from the north and south. The road from the north was the old county road.
Some few years ago John Davis of Bristol bought all the land on the east, that bordered on the lake, from the Johnson Lumber Com- pany. Since that time he has sold building lots to a group of people, mostly residents of Bristol who plan to build camps. Some of these already have built their docks and one even has a large sun deck. This group has already made major improvements in the road from the north. They have also made application to the local electric company to run a power line in so that each camp might have electricity.
A group of local sportsmen are endeavoring to have the Vermont Fish and Game Service build an access road to the lake so that boats may be launched and a parking lot provided. At the present time they are exploring the possibilities of doing this.
The name of Bristol Pond was changed to Lake Winona by act of the legislature. The act became effective February 17, 1931, but the pond is still known to local residents by its original name.
We want to thank the many who have helped in compiling this, the Second Edition of the Bristol History. Some have helped by writing articles while others have loaned books and pictures that we have used for references and information.
We hope the book will be useful and enjoyable for many years to come.
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