1881: THE FASHION STUD FARM

Over the years, Hamilton Township has been sadly and tragically lacking in preserving the many historic persons, places and things which have been a part of our history. Henry N. Smith and his Fashion Stud Farm are a glaring example of the dearth of original source material. In my humble and austere way, I am trying to uncover and index some of the history which has been hidden from public view in the deep, aging pages of my 100+ year collection of Trenton newspapers which date back to 1868. Like the historically significant Civil War Camp Olden, actual photos and other documents, have not been preserved. Back in the early 1980's, I found an article on the Lawton family and their involvement with Camp Olden. The Lawton farm was located on a part of Camp Olden. I wrote an article on the subject which was published in the Mercer Messenger, and within a very short time, Mayor Jack Rafferty and his administration dedicated Camp Olden Park at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Liberty Street, followed by the very proactive Camp Olden Civil War Round Table.

THE FOLLOWING WAS TRANSCRIBED IN 1984:

FASHION STUD FARM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1881

The Fashion Stud Farm, owned by H. N. Smith, Esq., and lying about a mile and a quarter above Trenton, embraces at the present time over 400 acres of land. The money value of this property is not less than $150,000, while the stock is estimated to be worth $500,000. The establishment is a model one for the breeding and raising of blooded horses. Numerous improvements have of late been introduced about the place and the arrangements are now as nearly perfect as they can be made. The buildings are quite numerous and all are well adapted for their purposes. There are offices, carriage-houses, barns, and even dwellings for some of the employees. Surmounting the main building is a cupola. and in this rests the water tank, which holds over 3,800 gallons. The water comes from a deep well on the premises, and the tank is kept filled by a steam pump in the cellar of the building. From the tank pipes run through the building and by those the water is conducted to various points, both for ordinary uses and for service in case of fire.
On the farm also is a splendid track upon which the horses are exercised. Among the finest horses on the farm are four "service stallions," eighteen or twenty yearling colts, about forty brood mares and a number of animals sent there to board. About one hundred and fifty horses are kept all the time. The most noted animal on the place is Goldsmith Maid, the famous trotter.