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Former owners, the Woolworth
family (of Five and Dime Store fame) established their ‘gentleman’s racehorse farm’ here in the early 1950’s. The Woolworth brothers, Fred and
Norman, bred and trained many winning harness racing winners. "Duenna," homebred Woolworth filly, won the Hambletonian race in 1983. "Zoot Suit," another Woolworth bred and owned horse, was reigning
successful trotter in Sweden in the 90’s.
 While
owned by the Woolworth family, the property was called "Clearview Farms" aptly named for its spectacular view of the Lake and countryside. The horses were housed in the 32 stables of the barns and trained on the nearby Woolworth
racetrack. In its prime, there were 45 full time employees managing the horses' care and training, and there was a resident blacksmith. Click on picture to enlarge~~~>
Norman Woolworth, Jr. was an enthusiastic amateur harness driver himself during the fifties and sixties. In the early 1950’s, spurred on by his brother,
Fred, Norman became a patron of the sport and remained so for over forty years. He not only owned many of the harness race thoroughbreds but spent countless hours training them as well. A humorous man, he whimsically
named some of his very successful steeds with culinary tastes in mind. For example, some of the names were: "French Chef, Langouste, Porterhouse, Filet of Sole, and Cumin." Other creative horse’s names indicate the
times in which they were in their prime - " Pillow Talk, Shaboom, Panty Raid, and Zoot Suit."
A Rise and
Shine’s library particularly attests to the harness racehorse history of the estate. The many tiles surrounding the fireplace are each artistic portrayals of the horses that were bred and trained here.
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