What follows was found on page 3 of the February 11, 1897, edition of the RANGELEY LAKES newspaper. It shares some thoughts on the available wintertime activities long before downhill skiing and XC skiing were popular in these parts and of course well before snowmobiles were even an option. In fact, as far as motorized snow traveling machines are concerned, the Lombard Steam Powered Log Hauler, which resembled a steam locomotive with caterpillar tracks and literally crawled over the snow, was not invented until 1901, some 4 years before this article was published. The first true snowmobile is reputed to have been the American Motor Sleigh built and sold in 1905 as a dedicated machine for travel over the snow.
Enjoy what follows from Rangeley’s iconic past and be sure to get outside and enjoy some history-making winter fun of your own!
(Pierce’s commentary is shared in italics, otherwise the copy has been reprinted just as is)
A Winter Sport but Little Known
There is a certain satisfaction, to which few are stranger’s, in getting the best out of our surroundings. But we don’t do it you say, of course we don’t, for this is where poor human nature comes in, but we know that we might if we liked. For instance, there is winter. Occasionally someone is bold enough to assert that he prefers this season to all others, but traced to its source, his liking is found to be on account of enjoying better health than when it is warmer. The majority of us, however, simply endure it, and feel that we are very good to welcome the snow, which is so unwelcome to us, simply because we know that others need it, and the only right rule is, “the greatest good to the greatest number.” Endurance is very exemplary if there is nothing better to be done, but it is a question if even young people get all the pleasure out of winter that they might. During the summer one can hardly find time for all of the amusements to which the season gives rise, but with the advent of cold weather these begin to lessen. Of course, I am referring to northern New England, and other places in a similar latitude. It is true that walking may be indulged in throughout the year, though when the roads are rough, or filled with powdery snow, or ankle deep in mud, the indulgence partakes too much of the nature of a penance to be agreeable to most people. Still, we will let it go that one can walk if he chooses.
Unless snow comes early, driving (horse drawn buggy or sleigh) is only done as a work of necessity, since the jolting over frozen ground makes one as intimately acquainted with every bone in his body as if could be after an exhibition by the X rays. The reign of the skater is apt to be brief because just when the ice is at its best there comes a heavy fall of snow and completely spoils the smooth and tempting surface. Many of us can remember when sliding was one of the greatest pleasures winters could afford, but this was before the ambitious days of double runners, causing such innumerable accidents that mothers came to regard sliding as one of the most perilous sports. Of late years it has been thought best to forbid sliding on all roads or streets leading into towns and this has had rather a tendency to dampen the ardor of its admirers. The time-honored sleigh ride is something that all can enjoy, and even the most sedate of horses feels new life as the bells jingle merrily in its ears and its work is half done as the shining runners slip so easily along. Still there are many days when the sleighing is not good and even if it were, not everyone owns a horse and sleigh. What shall be done in This case?
In the country to the north of us, beside the mighty St. Lawrence, and under the shadow of Mont Royal, lies the great and ever-growing city of Montreal, with its splendid buildings and thousands of busy inhabitants both English and French. Among other lessons that these people have learned is this one, to make the best of winter, and right royally have they learned it. Chief among their winter pleasures is tobogganing and snowshoeing. Of the first it is perhaps unnecessary to speak here because it is one of those things that does not seem to flourish away from its native land.
(Editor’s note: A toboggan is a traditional form of transport used by the Innu and Cree of northern Canada. Unless you are a hopelessly indoor-bound flat-lander, you are most likely aware that a toboggan has no runners on the underside as a modern sled offers. The bottom of a toboggan rides directly on the snow. There is still a traditional toboggan run, similar to straight bobsleigh course, in Camden Maine. Britannica shares “Tobogganing as a sport probably originated on the slopes of Mount Royal in Montreal. In the late 1880s it spread to the United States, where it had considerable popularity until the early 1930s, when widespread enthusiasm for skiing brought about its popular decline).
But of the latter (snowshoeing) too much cannot be said in praise! I can but wish that in every town and village where snow is to be expected for several months, a snowshoe club might be one of the attractions!
Unlike some other sports no special preparation is required, though very jaunty and becoming are the costumes of those where snowshoe and clubs do most abound. The blanket suit with its bright border, and the gay toque with its drooping tassel appeals even to masculine vanity, and as for the girls even their pretty faces acquire a new beauty when arrayed in such picturesque garments.
Of all amusements, if we except walking, this is perhaps the safest. Of course, when learning to use the shoes you will “take a header,” but the snow is soft if cold and such little mishaps are the lot of everyone. Snowshoes are not expensive and are so strongly made that the first outlay is the only cost. And then think of the freedom they give. No matter how deep the snow, it proves no obstacle as you glide swiftly over it. Places hitherto inaccessible in winter are yours to inspect at your leisure, and if you like to fancy yourself the noble Hiawatha or the lovely Minnehaha there is none to say you nay, to limit your imagination, or to question the truth expressed in the old song; “Though the summer wears a verdant hue… The winter brings a merry season too.”
A note about snowshoeing; It is believed that snowshoes were invented 5,000 years ago by Indigenous people for winter travel and hunting. The first snowshoe club was formed in Montreal in 1840. At one time in the 1950’s Lewiston Maine had 17 snowshoe clubs with the largest, Le Montagnard, boasting 1,000 members! Rangeley Snowmobile Club is that largest in Maine with approximately 1,000 members. How about that!
