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hidden histories
Hidden Histories is a new column that highlights little-known stories, lives and places that contribute to the richness of our community, revealing sometimes surprising aspects of our shared local heritage.
Everyone in the town of Lakeville/Salisbury knows what a gem our town Grove is, but unless you live within walking distance, you might not be acquainted with the beauty of the little park that flanks its entrance at Factory Pond, or as neighbors call it, the Fishing Pond.
Bauer Park is a green haven for heron and other wildlife, and passersby, young and old, who seek a quiet place to sit and talk or check their screens. Two cedar benches provide seating amidst all-season gardens planted and cared for by the Lakeville Conservancy. Larger gatherings, like the men’s group who meets there in good weather, require BYOC (bring your own chair.)
Bauer Park was a gift to our town in 1947 by Frederick Bauer who also donated the historic railroad station, the land surrounding it, the pond and the former railroad right of way which now serves as the access road to the Town Grove. The Lakeville station had been an important stop on the Connecticut Western Railroad route between Millerton, N.Y., and Hartford, Conn. It was key to the town’s emergence as a thriving summer resort community and provided the Holley Manufacturing Company with ready access to a national market for its pocket-knives and other wares. The station was opened in 1871 and was still operating when the Bauers moved to town. Freight service didn’t end there until 1938. Now, it’s part of both the Local Historic District and National Register of Historic Places.
Bauer not only gifted the land, pond and depot, he donated a sizable fund to maintain them in perpetuity. Funds from the Bauer Fund were used in the 1950s to fix up the old station so that it housed the Salisbury Welfare Association and Public Health Nursing office, institutions which served our town for years.
When Frederick Bauer died in 1951, the front page of The Lakeville Journal lamented the passing of a “A Noted Lakeville Citizen” known for “generosity of both time and money to many local causes as well as to countless individuals who had need of his help.” And yet, many who benefit from his good works today, have never heard of him.
Frederick Bauer was born in 1888 in Germany and came to this country with his family when he was four years old. They settled in a farming community in (of all places) Nebraska. From there, he went to Cornell University’s Agricultural School where he met his wife Ruth Rodman who was getting her masters in botany — an unusual achievement for women in those days. They married and moved to New York where Frederick became an investment banker. But farming was in his blood. In 1935, they bought Larchmeadow Farm in Lakeville to which they retired a year later and became full-time producers of local beef. Besides raising a prize-winning herd of Hereford cattle, both Bauers were active in civic organizations. Frederick became a director of Salisbury Bank and Trust and they were both on the board of Salisbury Welfare Association, now Salisbury Family Services.
Eighteen years after Bauer’s death, a special Town Meeting was held to decide whether or not to allow the park he donated to become a parking lot. According to the June 19, 1969, Lakeville Journal “the meeting proved a long and frequently emotional one.” The Selectmen were reminded that Mr. Bauer had bought and donated the park to be used for recreation and that “if the wishes of donors are disregarded, no one would give anything to the town in the future.” Mrs. Bauer confirmed her late husband’s intention and the motion to prohibit parking in Bauer Park was “voted by a fair majority.”
According to our town’s 2020 financial report, the funds Bauer donated to maintain the park, depot and surrounds has grown to over $2M. Perhaps some of it could be used to refurbish the park’s stone marker so that its engraving is once again legible: Bauer Park Given and Maintained in Memory of Frederick Bauer.
Frederick Bauer’s legacy to the town isn’t only green space. For decades, the Bauer Foundation has provided thousands of dollars in college scholarship assistance to local high school students in Regional School District One. Information on how to apply can be found at https://www.bauerfundfoundation.org.
Helen Klein Ross lives in Lakeville. Her latest novel “The Latecomers” was inspired by the old governor’s mansion that she and her husband, Donald, restored in 2011. More local history can be found on her blog, www.bringingbackholleywood.com.
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.
THOMASTON — The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.
In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.
Brody Ohler pitched a two-hitter for Canaan. Milo Ellison relieved him, facing one batter who flew out to right field where Ben Young secured the final out.
Canaan never trailed in the game against top-ranked Thomaston, which lost one game all season prior to the championship. Both JRC losses came from the Pirates, with players aged 10 to 12 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
Milo Ellison played second base before relieving pitcher Brody Ohler.Photo by Riley Klein
In the title game at Reeves Field in Thomaston, the Pirates started strong with a lead in the top of the first inning. Ohler singled, then stole second base. Liam Downey brought him home with a single, then Sam Hahn doubled to put runners on second and third. Ellison brought them both home with a triple and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead.
The margin held until the sixth inning when the Pirates extended their lead to 6-0. With J.T. Farr and Bentley King on, Ohler sent a deep shot to center field and rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ohler surrendered two runs before reaching his pitch limit. Ellison stepped in to end the game with some help from Young in right field.
The Pirates piled on Young in the outfield chanting “Benny! Benny!” The two sides shook hands in the spirit of sportsmanship before trophies were awarded.
The Pirates rejoice around Ben Young after he secured the final out.Photo by Riley Klein
After winning the District 6 title for the second straight year, Coach Tom Downey said "It feels awesome. Especially this group who worked really hard. Last year we were dominant, this year these guys worked their butts off."
"We definitely earned it," said third baseman Michael Prisco.
Ohler finished with nine strikeouts on the mound, three hits in three at bats, two RBI and a home run. Ellison hit 1-for-2 with two RBI, Liam Downey went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Sam Hahn and J.T. Farr hit 1-for-3 and Sam Hamlin hit 1-for-2.
For Thomaston, Owen H. hit 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lucas K. hit 1-for-2. The pitching trio of Gavin M., Jackson Ether and Brody Conlon combined for 12 strikeouts.
J.T. Farr and Brody Ohler are back-to-back District 6 champions.Photo by Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.
Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.
The Red Sox rejoiced as victors. Reflecting on the season, Coach Nikki Blass stated, “My boys continue to come off the field smiling and doing better than the game before.”
The Red Sox are part of the Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League AAA program, consisting of players aged 9 to 11 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Berkley Karcheski connects for a Red Sox hit June 12.Photo by Simon Markow
The result June 12 marked the first win of the season for the Red Sox. The night before, Coach Nikki Blass reassured her team with a letter, writing, “You should keep your heads high and know that you are all an asset to this team. Tomorrow we are clearing the slate and we will win.” She continued, “I hear in addition if you put a bat under your bed you get an amazing hit on game day.”
The bat trick paid off and many Red Sox logged hits in the game. “Everyone was on fire,” exclaimed Blass after the game.
Quinn McKniff pitched the majority of the match for Canaan with reliever Myles Shippa taking the mound for the final inning.
Blaze Freund heads for home.Photo by Simon Markow
Offensively, Blaze Freund logged his first hit of the season. His twin brother Roan scored after sliding head-first into home “Pete Rose-style.” Myles Shippa recorded an RBI double in the game.
The Red Sox gathered beneath the scoreboard for a team photo after the win. With wide smiles and baseballs held high, the players ended another joyous Little League season.
Written by Riley Klein with reporting from Simon Markow.
The Red Sox conclude the 2025 season with a win.Photo provided
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.
The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.
Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.
Before the run, she told friends she was hoping for a “hard reset for [her] health,” she said with a rueful laugh.
Nearing the end of the loop, Horn said her leg was fatigued and gave out, causing her to fall on the pavement. She is grateful for the community members who helped during the ordeal, including an unknown motorist who waited with her until her husband arrived, and the staff at Sharon Hospital who she said were “wonderful.”
She was directed to keep weight off her hip for 4 to 6 weeks, and since her collarbone is also fractured, cannot use crutches so she’s partially wheelchair-bound for the time being. While she’s disappointed to be missing out on the start of hiking, biking and running season, she’s keeping her sights forward and focusing on recovery.
In the meantime, she said she’s grateful for the video and photo updates from her son, who is hiking the Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail: “I’m living vicariously through him.”
Milo Ellison sends a fly ball to left field, bringing home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn in a walk-off win for the Canaan Pirates June 11.
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Pirates advanced to the league championship after a comeback victory over the Tri-Town Red Sox Wednesday, June 11.
Down 3-2 with two outs and two on in the bottom of the 6th inning, "Mighty" Milo Ellison stepped up to the plate and launched a fly ball deep to left field. The single brought home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn for a walk-off Pirates win.
"Milo did it," shouted a teammate. "Let's hear it for Milo!"
Elite pitching from both sides kept the game close. Starter Sam Hahn pitched five and one-third innings for the Pirates and recorded 10 strikeouts. For the Red Sox, Joey B. struck out 11 batters over five innings.
Sam Hahn threw 10 strikeouts for the Pirates against the Tri-Town Red Sox June 11.Photo by Riley Klein
Milo Ellison led the Pirates offensively, batting 2-for-3 with one run and three RBI. Sam Norbit logged an RBI and went 1-for-2 at the plate for Canaan.
"Nothing like a walk-off," said a spectator after the Pirates won 4-3.
Canaan, which includes players aged 10-12 from the six Region One towns and Norfolk, will face top-ranked JRC Transportation in the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League title game.
The Pirates rejoice after winning the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League semifinal game.Photo by Riley Klein
The Pirates are the reigning champs of District 6 and have a 10-2 record this season. Brody Ohler, who pitched the win in last year's championship, is expected to start on the mound once again for Canaan.
JRC Transportation led the league this season with a record of 11-1. Canaan delivered JRC its lone loss 1-0 on May 27, but JRC defeated Canaan 15-4 in the June 6 rematch.
The championship will be played at Reeves Field in Thomaston Friday, June 13, at 6 p.m.
The Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League Majors Pirates have a chance to go back-to-back in District 6.Photo by Riley Klein