From "The History of Old Farmington" by Ruth Hewitt Herbert and Aileen Groves. The skating Craze hit Farmington in 1865 and came to stay until the building was destroyed by fire in 1902. Higginbotham, the hotel man, had "the first" rink fitted in an old blacksmith shop and it was such a success that he had to add 50 feet in length to the building. It was fitted up with booths for the sale of ice cream, lemonade, and confectionaries. Skaters came from Linden, the 26 Mile House, and all around the county. In addition, at times there were not enough skates for people who wanted to skate. This interesting comment was printed in the WHEAT GROWERS of June 14, 1885: "Our skating rink is the greatest attraction of the age, locally speaking. It has taken the young man out of the saloons three nights of the week at least. We understand the saloon men complained the rink hurt their business. One of the minister's prayers bewails the wickedness of Farmington and her people, since the advent of the skating rink, and attributes the decreasing attendance of his congregation to that source. He is off there, if he would only put the rollers on and take a little more exercise, such as the beginners experience in trying to skate, it would liven him up and perhaps his sermons too. This notation was found in the INDEPENDENT in 1887: "Won't some enterprising business come to Farmington and open a swimming bath? All we need now to rank with Stockton is a swimming bath and an insane asylum." Baseball was also a popular sport in Farmington in the late 1800s. Farmington was to have a big ball game with Sonora, so the Sierra Railroad from Oakdale had an excursion to Sonora. There were so many people that the train had to turn some away. Sonora was so sure they were going to win; they baked a big Victory Cake. Much to their disappointment Farmington won, they helped Farmington eat the cake. At the local picnic grounds on Johnny Creek in 1887, two local ball teams had a game. The score was 54 to 34. What a lot of action! There were 88 runs in one game.

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Farmington Elementary: Minimum day Friday September 30th and Monday October 3rd, school will be dismissed at 1:04 pm. Escalon Homecoming Parade, Friday September 30th at 2:00pm.

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I want to wish my grandson Cory a very Happy Birthday on September 30th and a special friend in Escalon who is having a birthday October 4th, Happy Birthday Ray Frymire.

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The Escalon United Methodist Church will be having an Omelet Dinner, October 1st starting at 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Early reminder, The Farmington United Methodist Church is having its annual Boutique, October 8th.

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I would still like to hear from you. Have you taken a trip? Have you had out of town visitors? Let me know of family birthdays, anniversaries and new arrivals to your family. Whatever you want to add to the Farmington News is welcome.

Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-Mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.