During the late 19th Century and early 20th, rowing was a very popular spectator sport, and coverage of big races would be front page news nationally.
1915 IRA Regatta (won by Cornell). Scrapbook page with Observation Train Tickets and Photos. Fans lined the Hudson River, in Poughkeepsie NY, and those with tickets could ride the observation train that ran alongside the shore during the race, keeping pace with the boats over the 4 mile course. (last photo, not part of scrapbook, is a stock image, but shows what the train looked like).
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