Cait Clark via the Mercer County Historical Society

The thunder of hooves is familiar to anyone who has visited the racetrack. The flash of colors, the announcer’s voice booming over the loudspeaker, the rush as the sulkies round the final turn and the winner becomes apparent to the cheering crowd. But many people fail, in all the excitement, to appreciate what makes such a view possible: the farrier back at the barn.

Recently, a package from Yorktown, Virginia, arrived at the Mercer County Historical Society. Upon opening it, we found a picture of two men in front of a barn and a plaque with a hammer and horseshoe mounted onto it. A letter in the box told us the marvelous history of these artifacts.

J. C. Bowser (his name is inscribed on the hammer) was a blacksmith at the Celina Race Track, and it is him who is pictured in front of the shop he worked so diligently out of. The horseshoe mounted on the plaque is one that he made! Bowser grew up across from the track and was also the groundskeeper of the track and fairgrounds. His granddaughter gave these artifacts to Leah Beko. Leah’s family is from Indiana and drove harness horses many times at the Celina Track. It was Leah who graciously decided to donate these items to the MCHS.

If you are interested in viewing these newly arrived additions to our collection, please visit us at the Riley House at 130 East Market St. in Celina, Ohio. We are open on Mondays and Fridays from 9 to 5.