Trapshooting Timeline of Important Historical Dates
Trapshooting in America

1840
New York Sportsman's Club held its first trapshooting competition.

1866
Charles Portlock of Boston, MA introduced the glass target ball from England.

1868
Fred Kimble of Knoxville, IL invented the choke bore shotgun. Perhaps the most important shotgun invention of all time.

1880
About 1880, Fred Kimble invented the clay target. However, George Ligowsky still receives credit for this invention. Kimble and a partner, Charlie Stock developed a clay target, perhaps the first. It was called the Peoria Black Bird. It was made of coal-tar, pitch and other ingredients and was shiny black in color. They also made a trap to throw this target.

1880
Invention of the clay target by George Ligowsky of Cincinnati, Ohio. He would introduce the target at the conclusion of the New York State Shoot at Coney Island to a group of shooters. It became an instant success.

1880
Rolla Heikes breaks first known 100 straight (Shot in Nebraska using Ligowsky targets) 

1883
George Ligowsky contracted Capt. Adam Bogardus and Doc Carver to tour the country in a series of matches using Ligowsky targets. Carver had made a name for himself as a rifle shooter but remarkably, Carver won 22 of the 25 matches over the great Bogardus. This had to humiliate Bogardus.

1883

Introduction of sparrow shooting from a trap, as reported in Sporting Life. ( Ed: However, it wouldn't surprise me if they shot sparrows before this date.

1884
The First International Clay Pigeon Tournament (Ligowsky Rules) was held in Chicago, Illinois, May 26 - 31, 1884.

1885
Ligowsky was also instrumental in the staging of the second national trapshoot in New Orleans. All the great shots attended including Rolla Heikes, Bogardus, Carver and J. A. R. Elliott. Doc Carver won the event.

1889
The first trapshooting association, organized in 1889, was the American Shooting Association. They produced the first rule book. The first governing body was composed of those employed by companies who produced trapshooting-related products. Among them was L. C. Smith, founder of the famous gun company; Charles Tatham, owner of the largest lead shot processing plant in the country; and Capt. A. W. DuBray of the Parker Gun Co. In 1892 with more gun and powder related companies joining the fold, the association produced a name change to the Interstate Manufacturer's and Dealers’ Association.

1892
The Interstate Manufacturer's and Dealers’ Association was organized from the American Shooting Association. In 1895, the name was shortened to The Interstate Association. This organization was made up of the gun and powder company manufacturers (professionals) for the "encouragement of trapshooting". Their headquarters was Pittsburgh, PA. Elmer Shaner was the manager of this association every year until they became the American Trapshooting Association in 1919. The new headquarters was moved from Pittsburgh to New York. Shaner did not want to relocate so he retired. However, he did become president of the new association in 1921. He gave the opening address for the new ATA at the Grand American from 1923 to 1937. He missed his first Grand in 1938 and died the following year.

1893
First Grand American at live birds (lasted 10 years to 1902). It was held in Kansas City, MO. All ten of these tournaments managed were managed by Elmer Shaner of Pennsylvania.

1900
First Grand American at clay targets held at Interstate Park in New York City from June 12-15. Again, managed by Elmer Shaner of Pennsylvania. Shaner would manage the first 19 Grand American tournaments until the formation of the American Trapshooting Association in 1919. The first GAH was won by Rolla "Pop" Heikes of Dayton, Ohio. There were 74 entries.

1902
Last Grand American at live pigeons held in Kansas City. The shoots were stopped because of too much bad national press brought on by the killing of pigeons.

1906
Guy Ward of Walnut Log, TN wins first Grand American Singles Championship with 144x150 at 1906 Grand American in Indianapolis, IN.

1909
Joe Kautzky (his daughter Marie is a HOF inductee) broke the first registered 200 straight in singles at Jewell, Iowa in 1909.

1910
Riley Thompson became the first shooter to break all 100 targets in the Grand American Handicap.    

1911
Allen Heil of Allentown, PA led the nation in doubles averages in 1911 & 1912. 

1912
Mark Arie won the first Doubles Championship at the Grand American in 1912, breaking 89x100.

1912
Jay Graham becomes the first American to win Olympic Gold. He won gold at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912.

1916
The American Amateur Trapshooting Association (AATA, 1916-1919) formed with John Philip Sousa as president. This was the first attempt to have a national organization organized and run by amateurs. Sousa would serve as president again in 1918. This new association was the first attempt at amateur control and did not replace any other organization. It co-existed at the time with the Interstate Trapshooting Association.

1919
The American Trapshooting Association (ATA, 1919-1923) was formed and replaced the Interstate Trapshooting Association. The offices were moved to New York from Pittsburgh. It was this association that designed the ATA logo much as it appears today.

1919
The AATA was disbanded and absorbed by the newly formed American Trapshooting Association.

1920
Mark Arie and Frank Troeh finished with the gold and silver medals at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Both are Hall of Famers.

1923
The Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA, 1923-present) was organized to replace the American Trapshooting Association. For the first time, trapshooting was run and organized by amateurs. The first Grand American under this new association was in Chicago, the final year it would moved yearly.

1924
The new home grounds of the ATA was established at Vandalia, Ohio. The twenty-fifth Grand American was held at the new home grounds. There were 16 trapfields. They continue there to this day. George McCarty, living in New Jersey at the time, was the driving force for the development of the new home grounds. He became the second president of the new ATA.

1924
First Marshall Marathon at Yorklyn, DE. Eventually replaced the ATA Eastern Zone shoots until 1948.

1925
Annie Oakley pays a visit to the Grand American one year before she died. Jimmy Robinson claims she broke 97x100 in a singles event but the score is not reflected in ATA records. Annie would die the next year. Steve Crothers breaks the first 200x200 at this Grand American. 

1926
Mark Arie breaks the first ATA 100 straight in doubles. (Great Western Handicap at the Denver, Colorado Municipal Trap Club) July 18,1926.

1926
Sparrow Young became the first shooter to break 100x100 in the Grand American Handicap when held at Vandalia. Young was elected to the HOF in 1972. 

1927
Jimmy Robinson of Sports Afield announces the first All American teams. Frank Troeh named captain.

1950
The Western White Flyer Electric Trap (V1524A) was used at the Grand American for the first time in 1950, than 1952, 1954 and from 1956 until 2003. It was the first built-in electric release.

1951
Robert and Roger Clyne developed after market electric target releases for traps in the late 1940's and in 1951 the "Clyne Puller" was first used at the Grand American. Both Robert and Roger would be inducted into the Trapshooting HOF in 2006. 

1952
George Genereux, a HOF inductee wins Olympic Gold Medal at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland.

1964
Col. E. S. Throckmorton breaks first 100 straight from the 27 yard line. (Throckmorton's 100 from 27 was on 7/19/1964 at Four Corners Roundup, Cortez TC, Cortez, Colo.)

1964
Dan Orlich completes the first ATA Grand Slam. (100 straight in doubles and 27 yard handicap and 200 in singles)  

1968
ATA Hall of Fame established.

1969
Fifteen inducted in the Hall of Fame on August 19, 1969.

1976
Donald Haldeman of Souderton, Pennsylvania became the third trapshooter from the United States to win an Olympic Gold medal in Trapshooting. Haldeman, a 27 yard ATA shooter, won the medal at the Montreal Olympics.

1977
The first Satellite Grand, the Spring Grand, was held in Arizona. Hall of Famer Roger Smith won the HAA with 394x400. Smith also won the Handicap title. 

1978
Reggie Jachimowski of Antioch, IL was the first shooter to win the Grand American from 27 yards, winning with a 100x100.

1987
Frank Little and Kay Ohye engage in the longest shootoff in ATA history. Little won the Eastern Zone Singles title 525-524 at Thurmont, Maryland. 

1999
The 100th Grand American held at the ATA home grounds in Vandalia, Ohio. Five thousand (5,000) shot the Grand American Handicap.

2000
ATA starts hunt for new home grounds brought on by possible airport expansion on land leased by the ATA.

2004
The ATA announces the move of the Grand American tournament to Sparta, IL. The first shoot will be in 2006.

2005
Mike Blaisdell and Brian Whalen engage in the longest shootoff in ATA history. Blaisdell won the Eastern Zone Singles title 575-574 at Elysburg, PA. This record eclipses the record set in 1987 between Frank Little and Kay Ohye. 

2005
The ATA holds the final shoot in Vandalia, Ohio. First held in Vandalia in 1924, the shoot was held there every year until the final shoot in 2005. A total of 72 years in Vandalia.

2006
The ATA held their first shoot at the World Shooting & Recreational Complex in Sparta, IL in July (The First US Open) than a month later hold the first Grand American at Sparta. The first year finished with the first National Team Shoot in September. 

2006
The first Grand American held at the World Shooting & Recreational Complex in Sparta, IL. The venue is owned by the state of Illinois. The ATA no longer owns it's own home grounds. However, the HOF and ATA administrative offices remain in Vandalia.