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The first ever Old Timers Picnic was held as Cascade Park on Friday, August 23, 1907. The members of the various committees who helped stage the picnic pose above. Over 7000 people attended this memorable event, which was only open to persons – and their descendants – who lived in the New Castle area prior to the outbreak of the Civil War (1861). The picnics continued over the years and eventually the restrictions on who could attend were dropped. The yearly event at Cascade Park got smaller over time, but is still going strong today. The 106th annual Old Timers Day, held at the dance pavilion at Cascade Park in August 2012, was attended by over 500 seniors and a smaller group of younger folks. (1907) Full Size |
The booklet, which is a large foldout page, distributed prior to the first Old Timers Picnic in August 1907. Full Size |
A list of some of the committees and their members that helped plan the first ever Old Timers Picnic in August 1907. Full Size |
One of the photos contained in the booklet for the first Old Timers Picnic. Full Size |
An advertisement for the second annual Old Timers Picnic held at Cascade Park on August 20, 1908, which saw 11,000 people in attendance. The crowd grew even larger the following year with 17,000 people on hand. For the earliest events it was necessary to reserve the entire park for the day. Full Size |
A ribbon worn by members of the Reception Committee for the 2nd annual Old Timers Picnic. |
A list of the Executive Committee and the Reception Committee for the fifth annual Old Timers Picnic held on August 10, 1911. Full Size |
Lengthy booklets were distributed during the earliest events and are prized today for the valuable assortment of old photos they contain. The booklet for the fifth annual Old Timers Picnic in August 1911 is shown above. Full Size |
The booklet for the fifth annual Old Timers Picnic is unusual as it is filled almost entirely with photos of many of the oldest citizens of the New Castle area who had since passed on. Full Size |
Another page from the fifth annual Old Timers Picnic booklet, which contains over 300 photos of the area’s pioneering citizens. Full Size |
The next to last page of the fifth annual Old Timers Picnic booklet is quite rare, as it depicts what I am assuming are some of the area’s earliest African-American residents. This was an unexpected treat indeed as the old booklet contains this page yet no photos of women. Full Size |
The family of A. T. Eckles Sr. (standing on left), who operated a popular grocery store at Harbor Bridge, at the Old Timers Picnic at Cascade Park on Thursday, August 22, 1912. (1912) (Photo courtesy of Sheri Slater) Full Size |
Comments
Joneta Burke #
Do you have the pictures of the 300 Old Timers mentioned in this article? I am looking for family members, Mitchell, Taylor, McConahy, and Stoner. They married in to McClung, Matthews, and Bennett families, and many more.
Joneta
Joneta Burke #
Hi Jeff – Do you have the pictures of the 300 Old Timers mentioned in this article? I am looking for family members, Mitchell, Taylor, McConahy, and Stoner. They married in to McClung, Matthews, and Bennett families, and many more. I look forward to hearing from you.
Joneta
Jon E. Nettinger #
Would there be a way that I could get images of new castle back in the day, without the watermark? Thanks
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