SC Rewind: Grasshopper Flats

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In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recounts the long, interesting and story filled history of a small racetrack located in Eastern Ontario. From its quaint nickname to the long list of horse people who have been residents there, it makes for an interesting story.


​A scenic view of the Grasshopper Flats property and training track located north of Cobourg, Ont.

The story of one of Canada's longest surviving racetracks and its role as an early training centre is a most interesting tale and also by now quite lengthy. Known by the rather quaint moniker 'Grasshopper Flats', it is a somewhat unique piece of Canadian harness racing history that has remained in relative obscurity for much of its existence. Thanks to the assistance of a few of its founders' family members and others, I am able to put together a short reminiscence about its past and present.

The coming to be of what was later to be known as 'Grasshopper Flats' started way back in 1948 when a trio of gentlemen interested in harness racing purchased a piece of land for the purpose of starting a training centre. Located some five miles north of the Town of Cobourg, Ont. in Hamilton Township, Northumberland County, the plot of real estate contained about 33 acres characterized by gently rolling countryside. These three forward thinking fellows named Jack Gordon, Clifford Hie and Basil Samons shelled out the princely sum of $300 in total for a piece of the farm of Milton Jibb. Thus began the beloved Grasshopper Flats racetrack.


​A monument to the founders of the Hamilton Township Track better known by its long time nickname Grasshopper Flats. It was started back in 1948 and is still in use today as a training centre. The granite marker pays tribute to Cliff and Edith Hie as well as Jack and Floris Gordon for their combined efforts in creating this training centre.

Although located in a fairly prosperous and fertile agricultural area, this piece of land was not held in high regard for its farming potential, thus the fact that it was available for sale. Its characteristics also led to its catchy nickname. It was nestled in a rural area that included the small hamlets either currently or formerly known as Plainville, Gores Landing, Baltimore, Cold Springs, Precious Corners and Harwood Village. For some perhaps unexplained reason, there seemed to be an abnormally large number of horse enthusiasts in the area. In time, many of them either stabled there or used the track for training their hopefuls. It undoubtedly has also served as a visiting spot for countless "horsey" folks.


​​A couple of horses in training at Grasshopper Flats pause for a picture during the mid 1950's. The two horsemen are Murray Garrick and Roddie MacRae with members of the Jack Gordon stable being readied for the coming season.

First formally known as Hamilton Township Race Track, it soon took on the nickname it has carried pretty much throughout its existence. Legend has it that a horse owner named Malcolm Bailey is credited with coming up with the ingenious name. This man, who hailed from Uxbridge, Ont., began to visit the facility to see a couple of his horses in training and noticed that the property was located on what he thought was somewhat less than ideal farmland. Being an accomplished farmer and cattle breeder himself, he knew good land when he saw it and apparently in his opinion this spot was better suited as the site of a racetrack and maybe even a good place for grasshoppers to call home!

When the facilities first opened the track was laid out as the initial order of business. Next a barn to house about a dozen horses was constructed by carpenter and barn builder Horace Davey. Later an additional portion of the barn was constructed to house the horses owned by nearby resident John R. Ball who operated a feed mill. While Mr. Ball at times drove his own horses he also employed Frank Alexander as a trainer and driver. He turned out a few good horses that started locally and also performed well at the larger tracks. A roan pacer named Johnny Dale and a pretty decent trotter by the name of Hoot Valley were among the best of his modest stable. He also had a farm about a mile north from the track where he housed some of his horses.


​​This 1964 photo shows a couple of long time residents from Grasshopper Flats in action at the newly opened Garden City track. The roan pacer Johnny Dale owned by John R. Ball and driver Frank Alexander appear in the winner's circle. This horse was a participant in the final day of racing at Grasshopper Flats in 1960.

In later years a couple more stables were built to accommodate the needs of certain individuals such as Gord Sherwin and another four stall structure put up by the Minifie Bros. There was never a residence for humans built on the grounds but in later years a gentleman named Don Budd, a retired dairy farmer, purchased some adjacent land and built a house and barn on 35 acres. He used the track to train his own stock and helped to care for the place prior to his passing a few years ago.

A small blacksmith shop was home to Tom Grattan for many years and another shoer was Earl Collins, who travelled out from Peterborough. Mr. Collins was long a well known farrier; he just left us a few years ago. Tom Grattan and his wife Ann were remembered recently when a series of Memorial races were held at Kawartha Downs.

For a period of about seven years beginning in 1954, a series of annual race days were held at the track. What the facilities lacked in frills and amenities, it more than made up for it with a lot of local spirit and enthusiasm. The races days were held on the second Saturday of June and took on a family entertainment theme with more than just an afternoon of racing. A baseball game, pony rides, a small midway and a fish pond along with great homemade food served by the ladies from nearby Church groups made the day a further success. It may not have been an official Fair, but it had a lot of the same attractions and atmosphere.

From what I have been told no one worried too much what the attendance figure was or how quick the fastest race went. It was more about people having a friendly get together and enjoying the convivial atmosphere that was always a part of these annual gatherings. Horsemen and their families gathered for a day of good fellowship and fun. These days stand as a reminder of a simpler time in our sport's history. While old accounts of races show mainly local folks, reportedly people like Keith Waples, Bill Habkirk and Bill Hicks were also present.

The races were held under the jurisdiction of the C.T.A. complete with judges and charted lines. The starter's duties were usually handled by Roy Mitchell with Retta Herrington driving the gate. One year when this pair -- who were legends in the area -- were unable to attend, a makeshift gate was pressed into service and apparently worked just fine. A small stand capable of seating about 100 fans was located at the wire across from the judge's stand.


​​Here is the race program from the final day of racing at Grasshopper Flats in 1960. The lovely handwriting was courtesy of Edith Hie.

The races were arranged to accommodate a wide range of horses and usually a special race was listed for "Green" horses. It carried a lesser purse of $30, later rising to $60, but was undoubtedly as important as the other races that commanded higher payouts. A small admission of 50 or 75 cents was charged which along with other revenues helped to make the race days self-sufficient most years. The local GM dealership displayed some of their vehicles that day on the grounds and they too anted up to provide financial support.

In 1960 the last of the memorable race days was held on June 11th that year. The highlight of the day was a double-heat victory by Mt. Orab Boy, owned by Josephine and Chas. Burrison and driven by their son Osler Burrison. The fastest winning time of 2:08 established a new track record for this quaint little spot and while horses just naturally go a lot faster these days this I am sure will remain forever as the "Official" track record, at least of the earlier era. On that day a total of 10 heats of racing divided into five races were held; 35 trotters and pacers were in competition for the purses totalling $480! This was a good day for the Burrison stable as they also were double heat winners with Mary Jane P.


LEFT: The dual-purposed cattle and horse truck that belonged to Clifford Hie sits loaded and ready to leave for a day of racing somewhere in near Eastern Ontario. RIGHT: In 1963 horseman Clifford Hie (left) was injured in a training accident at Grasshopper Flats track, requiring a cast on his ankle. A few days later his son Carman also had a racing mishap at Greenwood that left both father and son on crutches. Here they are shown both a bit compromised from their recent experiences but still smiling. (Hie Family archives)

During the preparation of this story Gordon Sherwin, one of the longest term residents of Grasshopper Flats, passed away a few weeks ago on September 3rd at the age of 92. Until he entered a seniors' home a couple of years ago, he continued to care for a couple of old horses at this his favourite spot. This kindly gentleman was a daily visitor seeing that his 'pensioners' were well cared for.

Today the old training centre is still in use nearly 70 years after its founding. After many additions and modifications it remains much the same as it started. After decades of joint ownership between a couple of the original families (Hie and Gordon) it is currently watched over by a few members of the Cliff Hie family, now in succeeding generations including Carmen, Doug and Scott Hie. It has served its residents well as the seasons have come and gone.
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Driver Jack Gordon, one of the original owners is joined in the winner's circle by owner Osler Burrison following a win by Frosty Homestead one of the better horses to call Grasshopper Flats his home. Also in the photo at the left are Laura Burrison and Floris Gordon.

Shown below are a few very recent pictures taken at Grasshopper Flats courtesy of a neighbouring resident, Gary Oliver.

 

 

 

Comments

Beautiful article. Live in North Carolina but grew up in Peterboro. John Ball lived on my street. Used to go to races at old Morrow Park in Peterboro and remember all those drivers mentioned in article. A lot if great memories. Thanks

Many thanks to those who greatly added to this story by submitting your precious memories as comments. Garth and I had quite a bit of correspondence back and forth to put this together. Thanks also to Carman for supplying some great old photos and the hand written program from 1960. It has been a fun project .

I thought I would add a few more names that were in some way involved with Grasshopper Flats either as race day participants or otherwise but have not been previously mentioned .Everette Adams,Ted Atkinson, Roy Boyce ,Dr. Cowie ,George Davis,Albert DeFosse,members of the Hooey clan,,Jimmy McIntyre,Milton Post,Jack Reid ,Graydon Sheldon ,Ivan Thackeray,Ken Webb, Nelson White . I am sure there could be many more added to this list ,these were just a few I came across while researching the past days of this quaint spot.

Got a kick out of the "special " parking spot as one who also grew up at that same time but just in a another spot in the Province

Thanks for reminding me what a wonderful childhood I had. I used to ride my bike down the road and tag along with my grandfather, Everett Adams, who always had a few horses stabled there.
I was just thinking back recently about all the laughs and stories that happened in those 3 barns. It was so nice when Tom Gratton moved his blacksmith shop from Camborne to the grounds and got to watch a real old school forge in action.

Great photos and the barns look exactly the same as they did 35 years ago.
Such wonderful memories!!!

Carman and Roger Hie trained horses for us for 30 years and Gay and I made many trips to Grasshopper Flats. The place defined what harness racing was all about and we came up with a lot of good horses to boot. Good article Robert, thanks for what you do.

Brother Brian and I also have to thank the Hie and Gordon family for letting us build a barn at the track when we were just starting out. We were there for a couple of years before passing it on to Rick Clapperton and Doug Hie. Whenever we had questions we would run down to ask Cliff or Roger and they would always try to help us out. Doug also helped with advice and all his drives. Osler Burrison was always a great help, he was stabled at the track every summer. A lot of fun times with Osler, and a lot of great memories at Grasshopper Flats. Carman, I might have parked there a time or two myself.

Great article Robert thank you. Yes sir the grasshoppers had to find some place to hide on the second Saturday of June from 1954 to 1960. Because that worthless peice of land that was sold for &300.00 came alive with excitement laughter and competition on the race track and on the ball field. Cliff Hie would not allow any cars on the infield. I remember standing on the infield watching the ball game and the horse races at the same time. There is nothing more for me to tell for you have told it all Robert well done. Most of the horsemen from those days are gone now but not forgotten by me anyway. Thanks for taking the time Robert.

P.S. The part about the late evening parking spot is not true. For anyone from that area will tell you that it was Carmen's car parked there at the 3/4 pole in the early sixties, not mine.

I visited Grasshopper Flats with Garth Gordon a couple of years ago. I felt like I was frozen in time. A wonderful piece of racing history that lives on. Kudos to the founding families for their commitment.

This track was a wonderful little piece of my life that holds so many dear memories. From Dad (Tom Gratton) building his new shop there in 1988, it opened many new adventures in my life. I could write for days I'm sure about my adventures from Grasshopper Flats, anything from learning how to drive the truck, to dragging the track, to helping my Dad break new yearlings we purchased from the Fall Sale together when I was older. One of the best times of day was to be there early morning when there was still fog hanging in the air, the sun would be coming up showing pink and orange colours through the trees, the air was crisp and you could see the odd outline of Don Budd's horses in the field hanging out with some visiting deer, and hearing the odd neigh to say good morning. I met some great people who had horses stabled at the track over the years, so many that spent many hours caring for it whether it was from mowing grass or clearing the snow to keep it the best looking little piece of heaven around. Looking back now it was a great place to learn respect and teamwork among other things. So to the Hie's... all I can say is thank you! You have welcomed many over the years, offered a place to stable and a track to jog and train upon. Thank you for the memories that I hold so dear to my heart and for the memories my parents also held dear to their hearts. There was never a shortage of stories that were told at that little track in Baltimore.
Sharon

Thank you Robert for the wonderful article. The Hie family is proud of our father's commitment to harness racing. He provided a life long career for so many of us including Roger, Doug, Garth, Krissy and many, many others. The friendship between our family and the Gordon family remains today and together we are thankful that you have shared our story. Already today many, many people have read it, commented to us and have enjoyed the memories.
Carman
PS one missing detail is that around the three quarter pole at Grasshopper Flats was also a favorite late evening parking spot for Garth Gordon....

When Johnny Dale became to old to race, Jack Ball a good friend of our family let us kids hook him up and drive him to give him some exercise. From that point on I was hooked. I partnered with Roger Hie on a few and trained them at the "Flats". Great memories indeed!

Nice article Robert about something that has passed the test of time. The Hie family etc. should be very proud that they have kept it in operation. Every old time horse person seems to know about "Grasshopper Flats" and when they visit the area to race at Kawartha Downs they ask, is it still going? "Yes it Is".

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