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A Place in Naugatuck History: The Golden Age of Bicycling

Over a century ago, people were still complaining about bikers on the roads and the perils they presented.

By the mid 1890’s, “ The Golden Age of Bicycling “ had arrived in Naugatuck as cycling or “wheeling” became a fad in the United States and Europe as well.

Columbia Brand bikes were manufactured right in Hartford by Pope Manufacturing starting in 1878 although many other brands were available in the borough and surrounding towns.

Bikes were expensive with most starting at about $50 and up. Ralph R. Jennings on 27 Hill Street was offering a Rambler Bicycle for $40.

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The local paper proudly announced when residents purchased new bikes, noting the following Naugatuck residents purchased tandems in the spring of 1897, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Carfrey, Harry Carter, Robert North, Maude Nichols, John Trowbridge, and Wilbur Squire.

Bicycling changed everything from the way folks dressed to a whole new set of “wheeling etiquette.” This change effected woman especially, not only providing a new found freedom of "hitting the road" but also bringing an end to the long corset in favor of a smaller one without all of the tight lacing of the past.

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Long skirts proved disastrous when they tangled in the bike chains so “divided skirts” and “bloomers“ became all the rage.

In the May 1897 issue of the Naugatuck Daily News, columnist Kate Gaedner offered suggestions for the ladies,

“The cycling costume plays a most important part in the wardrobe of the up-to-date woman. She gives it as much thought and attention as she would bestow upon her prettiest and most bewitching' house gown, and its style and material and whole general effect are as carefully planned and considered as the most elegant and fetching street costume could possibly be. Time was, not so very long ago, when anything was esteemed good enough to wear on the wheel.

Fortunately all this is changed now, and the female votaries of the wheel have come at last to realize the fact that there is no reason on earth why they should not look just as chic and charming when on their machines as when dressed for calling or the promenade. As a natural result, all the latest cycling costumes are stylish and smart, and, at the same time, thoroughly sensible and womanlike.”

Shoes were also a special consideration, Kate goes on to offer these suggestions,

“The latest cycling shoe shows a broad toe with patent leather vamp and kid leather top, fastened over the instep by a narrow strap and finished, of course with a corrugated rubber sole. This is said to be ideally comfortable on tin foot, as well as being an attractive sight on the pedal.

This season's cycling boots are somewhat different from those worn last summer. They are very high button straight up at the side, while across the instep is a wide elastic webbing so placed as to give perfect freedom to the ankle when working the pedal.”

Footlight flashes were also the latest craze. They were lights worn around the feet for nighttime cycling or walking. The paper described them this way, “Genius has given fashionable folks a new plaything with which to amuse themselves. It is in literal obedience to the Biblical injunction regarding a Lamp upon thy feet. For that is exactly where it is worn. It consists of a tiny lantern with sides of very stout glass, mounted upon a stirrup, which straddles the foot of the user. It was tough resting on the toe of the foot.

This queer idea has taken strong hold upon the minds of the smart set, and as a result has sprung into instant favor. It is particularly valuable to persons who are given to walking about in places where the roads and sidewalks are not well kept, for in such cases there are always holes of various dimensions and in unexpected places in which the pedestrian is certain to trip if he is not exceedingly careful.”

 

The Lamp Law came into effect in 1899 which required all cyclist to have lamps on their bikes and that they be turned on at dusk. The lamps were for sale at John Stapleton’s located at the corner of Church Street and Rubber Avenue for $1.50 to $3.50.

The State of Connecticut along with the help of the Federation of Cyclists created state laws to protect the cyclist or “wheelman” as they were called and set up rules of conduct for them.

Then there were the “rules” set by the wheelman themselves such as never lend your wheel to anyone, and sit down most aggressively on all who make a request for a loan of it, the chronic bicycle borrowers should be taught lessons.

It was common knowledge that cyclists should never try to pass too near the head of a standing horse as the animal may be startled, and in throwing his head up in fright, may catch the rider a blow, which may prove disastrous.

Cross animals delight in nipping the arm or clothing of anyone who passes within reach. Some considered no bicycling outfit complete without the ammonia "squirt" which effectually drove the dogs off without serious injury.

There was great debate as to whether cycling was good or bad for ones health. Some thought that bicycle riders should always eat tomatoes after an exhausting ride. A small piece was believed by some to act like magic, taking away the tired feeling instantly. Dr. Thomas' Electric Oil was for sale at borough drug stores to remedy sprains, cuts and bruises of bicycle riders.

Here is an excerpt from an article from the April 1897 Naugatuck Daily News, sharing perhaps the greatest risk of all for those who shared the roads. The headlines read: 

WHEELMEN SHOULD BE CAREFUL, They Risk Their Lives by Riding Close to Trolley Cars and They Keep the Motormen in Constant Fear of Killing Them.

“The wheelman and his wheel are already quite numerous on the streets, and as usual there are as many careless and hoggish riders as ever. Some riders don't seem to care about the safety of anyone only themselves when out for a ride and others apparently go so far as to forget even their own safety. Some riders can be seen racing through the streets at break-neck speed, turning corners so rapidly that they go around on one wheel and place in jeopardy the lives of all who happen to be unfortunate enough to get in their path.

Yet this class of bicyclists never stops to think that there are others who do not ride wheels, and about the only way to force meditation of the proper kind upon them is to make them contribute to the treasury of Judge Hungerford’s court.

There is another class of wheelmen who appear to have a mania for following and racing with trolley cars. They ride so close to the car track that their elbows almost touch the car. Sometime and have been known to knock people down who happen to exit a car just at the time one of those crazy acting riders of the silent steed come along.

Often times they will ride ahead of the trolley cars and it is nothing new for their bicycle to strike a stone and tumble them off into the track so the motorman can see how quickly he can bring his car to a standstill before it rides over the wheelman's body.”

Next time you are in traffic on Rubber Avenue or waiting for a light to change at one of the boroughs intersections, picture the scene described above and be thankful you don't have to worry about being nipped by a passing animal or knocked down by a careless wheelman! See you next week when we find another place in Naugatuck History.

Credit: Articles from The Naugatuck Daily News.

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