14
In the mid 1930’s the team disbanded as interest waned. In its place the lawn bowling club was formed, a group that still plays to this day. The cricket house was moved to Robert Street to be used as the lawn bowlers club house and it still stands today.These memories were told by Stan Morton, born in Almonte in 1905. The son of Walter Morton, Rosamond Mill worker. Stan is a legend in this town and served as Almonte’s ambassador for many years. His store on main street was always a hub of activity. It was the place for news, toys, candy, you name it, he had it. "Almonte is a great town, none better."
Stan was born on Farm Street, lived on Farm Street and still owns his house on Farm Street "a true Farm Streeter". Farm Street was ideally located two minutes from the Rosamond Woolen Mill, where he and his father worked for many years.
15
The Almonte Lawn Bowling Clubhouse. Formerly the Almonte Cricket Clubhouse.2003
Almonte
16
Lawn BowlingThe Almonte Club was formed in 1933, when the McCallum’s, John and his Father Peter moved the cricket clubhouse to it present home on Lisgar Street.
Lawn bowling is popular with the Almonte residents and is a game that can be played by men and women, young and old. Similar to curling, lawn bowling is played on a green which is a field of closely cut grass 120 feet square.
The Jack, a small white ball is rolled out first at the start of every end. The teams then take turns rolling their bowl (balls) at the jack. The object beign to have as many of your teams bowls closest to the jack. An average game lasts about two hours.
17
Des Delaney takes a turn throwing a bowl.2003
Almonte
18
LacrosseIn the year of McKenzie’s birth the National Lacrosse Association was formed in Kingston and in the following years the sport grew rapidly. Both McKenzie and Naismith played recreational lacrosse in Almonte in their youth. There were numerous amateur and professional teams across Canada including both senior and junior clubs in Almonte. The Almonte Gazette reported the following August 11, 1899:
A team of young lacrosse players came down form Arnprior last Saturday and had a game with a junior team here. There was quite a crowd on hand to watch the little lads play to a tie, each club scoring two goals. The teams in the town often practiced on the fields near the high school.
Games were always held at the N.L.A.S grounds. The Almonte teams were a part of the Ottawa Valley Lacrosse League that included teams from Arnprior, and Pembroke.
19
Lacrosse sticks collected by R. Tait McKenzie.1900
The Mill of Kintail
20
Rosebank Lacrosse Club for 1893.1893
Almonte
21
Almonte Lacrosse Club of 1903.1903
Almonte
22
Almonte Lacrosse Club1900
Almonte
23
Almonte Junior Lacrosse Team1900
Almonte
24
BaseballThe game of baseball evolved from the British game called Rounders. Cricket, another bat and ball game, also influenced the development of the game. As baseball gained in popularity in America it soon hit Canada and Almonte was not immune to baseball infatuation.
Baseball was a popular game with the men and ladies Almonte and the surrounding area. Its popularity stemmed from the fact that it did not require a lot of equipment, a ball and a bat, and a glove if you had one. It was a matter of pride to make the local team. To play with the guys, win a few games and defeat the local rivals. It was an outlet and a release from the hard work of the day.
The Almonte Gazette of June 9th 1899 states that the Almonte Baseball Club had had a meeting and officers and committee members were appointed. In the June 30 edition of the same year the Gazette reports that "While practicing baseball with the Ramsay Jovial Sports on Friday Mr. Alex A. Steele was playing on first base and received a hot one on the face a ball thrown to him by the pitcher. He came to town and had the wound dressed by his physician and is now making favorable progress."
John Early (b.1915) formerly of Pakenham remembers well his baseball days.
"It was the depression, we had no money for a glove, the only players who wore a glove were the catcher and the first baseman." John played with a tournament team called the Ottawa Valley Playdowns. A team that consisted of the best players from around the local leagues. The team would often travel some distance to play.
Jim McKay (b. 1920) played in a local league with teams from Cedar Hill, Almonte, Clayton and Union Hall. He remembers the team jersey’s generously donated by Ed Winslow Sprague, of the Shell Oil depot in town. The "Shell" team sweaters were red with black on the shoulders. The team would play on the main ball field on the Clayton Road. Erv Currie was the catcher, Gorden Currie and Keith Cavanaugh were the team’s pitchers. Ronald Gunn played first base, Robert Corn played at second, Bob Rivington in right field and Jim McKay in Left.
Jim played for about 6 or 8 years. The Currie brothers, avid baseball enthusiasts, founded the team and were helpful at keeping the league alive. The team would practice and play once a week.
Marjory Campbell (b.1915) also played baseball. When she was young she and a group of her girlfriends would walk all the way across town to the diamond at the High school to play baseball. A elderly lady that lived nearby allowed them to store their equipment on her porch so they would not have to carry it.
25
An old baseball bat and baseball.1935
The Naismith Museum and Hall of Fame, Almonte
26
Bennie's Corners Baseball team jersey. Manufactured at the Rosamond Woolen Mill in Almonte.1890
Almonte
27
Bennie's Corners Baseball Team.1900
Almonte
 |
 |
 |
 |