Lake Compounce

By Lynda J. Russell

On October 6, 1846, Gad Norton invited the public to witness a scientific experiment to be conducted at his family-owned lake. The experiment failed, but the crowds of people inspired him to open a recreation area. In 1851, the firm of Pierce and Norton began land improvements. Not only were new attractions added, but corporate outings and outdoor concerts with big bands were also held, providing for a full day of fun and memories. As the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, Lake Compounce now offers 44 rides, including Thunder Rapids, Wildcat and Boulder Dash Roller Coasters, Crocodile Cove, Splash Harbor Water Park, and Bear Creek Campground. During the off-season, the infamous Crocodile Club is held every September, a haunted graveyard runs throughout October, and in December, the park showcases its holiday lights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Apr 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781439651001

Lynda J. Russell

Lynda J. Russell, a resident of Bristol, is the author of Images of America: Bristol Historic Homes, Plainville, Lake Compounce, and Bristol Business and Industry. In addition to being a member of the historical societies in Bristol and Plainville, she serves on the City of Bristol Historic District Commission.

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INTRODUCTION

In the 1600s, Lake Compounce was owned by the Tunxis Indian tribe, a part of the Mattatuck tribe. At that time, the chief was Nesaheagun. John A. Compounce (his name varied in the English translation) was a highly regarded member of the tribe. On December 2, 1684, Compounce, his wife, and other tribal members, who owned several hundred acres adjacent to the lake, marked a deed with wax to sell this land to a group of Farmington proprietors that included John Norton. There were several owners of the land after that initial sale. On December 7, 1787, Ebenezer Norton, a descendant of John Norton, purchased the land and the lake now known as Lake Compounce from the estate of Daniel Clark.

Gad Norton, great-grandson of Ebenezer Norton, inherited both the farm and Lake Compounce. The Norton family were farmers who grew tobacco and corn. The lake was enjoyed by fishermen, family members, and the neighboring children who loved this quiet place for swimming and boating. With the new invention of the electric telegraph, a Bristol, Connecticut, scientist named Samuel Botsford was experimenting with electricity. Gad Norton invited Botsford to come and do some experiments on the lake. Handbill advertisements were put up to invite guests to come and witness the spectacle. On October 6, 1846, many families and scientists arrived to witness the sight and enjoyed music and refreshments. The last event was the blowing up of the lake, but it failed. Even though the experiment failed, Norton saw how people were enjoying themselves, and it inspired him to open a park, adding a path around the lake with picnic tables and rowboats.

In 1851, Isaac Pierce from Bristol joined Norton, and they became partners, establishing the firm of Pierce and Norton Co., Inc. Together they developed the park that became known as America’s Pioneer Playground. On September 9, 1875, Pierce and Norton invited local legislators to a Southern-style sheep roast. It was their way to thank them for changing both their residences from Southington to Bristol. Lake Compounce would remain as part of Southington. This event was the start of the annual event known as the famed Crocodile Club. The casino building (later known as the pavilion) was added in 1895, with a ballroom upstairs and a dining room below. That same year, the Bristol and Plainville Tramway Company began, and soon after, the Southington and Compounce line allowed thousands of people to now travel by trolley to the park.

A carousel was added in 1911, followed by the Green Dragon roller coaster in 1914. The Wildcat replaced it in 1927 and is still in operation today. The Chris-Craft boats started in 1929 and would continue until 1962. The William Gillette train was purchased in 1943 and made ready when the park opened in 1944. It was promoted as the new ride that would take guests around the lake. The train would be returned to Gillette Castle in 1997. Through the 1930s, big bands became popular as they played in the Starlight Ballroom; performers included Benny Goodman, Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miller, Sammy Kaye, and Tommy Dorsey. During the 1940s and 1950s, musical preferences had changed to country music. The Down Homers started in 1948 and became popular until 1950 when Slim Coxx and his brother Randy from the same group formed a new music group called Slim Coxx and the Cowboy Caravan. They performed weekly on the Lake Front Stage. This stage was also used by