Page 17 - August 2019 Thoroughbred Highlight

Samuel Johnston’s enormous contribution to
Fort Erie’s economy by saving horse racing for 121 years in Fort Erie, has never been acknowledged by the Town of Fort Erie.
“Fort Erie Racetrack has had a pivotal role in Niagara’s history and Fort Erie history is incomplete without mention of the racetrack”. These are the words of Earl M Plato, past president of Bertie Township Historical Society.
From the beginning the racetrack has played a vital role in Fort Erie’s economy and its history.
It was, and is, a community within a community. A community that converged on Fort Erie each year, spring and summer, bringing with it the excitement of horse racing to the entire Niagara Peninsula, western New York, and beyond, and bringing with
it over 750 people, including racing of cials, staff, horsemen, blacksmiths, veterinarians, jockeys and the stable workers who exercised, fed and cared for the 1100 Thoroughbred racehorses who lled the stalls in the 16 barns on the 350-acre site. The horses consumed thousands of tons of feed, much obtained from local farms.
Horsemen, racing of cials and race track staff needed accommodation and found it in the town’s hotels and rooms of private residences and rental properties. They patronized the stores and local services, dined in the restaurants, and attended
the local churches on Sundays. Many made
lifelong friends. They were part of the fabric of the Fort Erie community.
Fort Erie residents were employed in the
parking lots, the Admissions Department, the
Mutuel Department, the dining rooms, concession stands, as usherettes, and messenger bettors. Other residents were full, or part time maintenance staff at the track: tradesmen, electricians, carpenters ,cleaners, plumbers, painters and landscapers.
The Fort Erie Times Review newspaper printed hundreds of thousands of daily racing programs for the thousands of racegoers who lled the Fort Erie grandstand and clubhouse during the spring and summer race meetings. During the 1974 summer meeting an average daily crowd of 8,300 converged on the Fort Erie track, with single day attendance regularly reaching 11,500 on weekends.
“The track was the heart of the town, It was the town’s largest employer, and 240 jobs would be lost without it”. (Michael Clarkson, Toronto Star, October 30, 2012).
Thanks to the foresight, the will and the leadership of Samuel Johnston, Fort Erie has enjoyed the massive economic impact of 121 years of horse racing at Fort Erie Race Track that poured hundreds
of millions of dollars into the town’s economy and attracted countless thousands of people to Fort Erie and its racing facility, which is considered one of the most scenic racing venues in North America with its beautiful lakes and owers.
Today the entire Town of Fort Erie, along with
the descendants of Samuel Johnston, and the descendants of the pioneers who signed the historic petition that rested in the archives of the Fort Erie Museum for over a century, have a tremendous opportunity to help celebrate and proudly etch Johnston’s name into an honoured and lofty place in Fort Erie’s storied history.
The story of ‘Samuel Johnston and the 270” is 121 years in the making, but the nal chapter has not been written. On Monday, July 15 Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop and members of Council were presented with an opportunity to provide the nal chapter.
Bill Galvin asked them to consider honouring, in a be tting manner, a Fort Erie pioneer whose foresight, perseverance, political insight and action allowed for the growth and development of a de ning industry in Fort Erie for 121 years . . . and counting.
Bill Galvin with Audrey Bruce whose Grandfather Frank Winger and Great Grandfather Elon Zavitz both signed the original petition containing 270 signatures
Fort Erie
Mayor Wayne H. Redekop and Bill Galvin with copy of
the 30 page presentation given to Fort Erie Council
to recognize Samuel Johnston for his efforts to saving racing at Fort Erie Race Track
Thoroughbred Highlight - Page 17 - August 2019