History of the Outdoor Amusement Business

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Trolley Parks

NEW YORK — Before Disneyland and Six Flags, before steel coasters went 50 mph and rides were named for cartoons, movies and superheroes, and even before Firemen’s Field Days…..there were trolley parks.

The parks were built by trolley companies at the end of the line in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as a way to get workers and their families to ride streetcars and railways on weekends. They had carousels, picnic grounds and live entertainment, and they were often located by lakes, rivers or beaches where visitors could take a boat ride or swim.

By 1919, just after World War I, there were 1,000 amusement parks around the country, and most of them were trolley parks, according to Jim Futrell, historian for the National Amusement Park Historical Association. But as cars replaced trolleys, the streetcars and their parks faded away.

Today, only 11 trolley parks remain in operation: Camden Park in Huntington, W.Va., which opened in 1903; Canobie Lake Park, in Salem, N.H., dating to 1902; Clementon Park in Clementon, N.J., which opened in 1907; Dorney Park in Allentown, Pa., 1884; Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pa., 1898; Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pa., 1894; Midway Park, in Maple Springs, N.Y., 1898; Oaks Amusement Park, in Portland, Ore., 1905; Quassy Amusement Park, in Middlebury, Conn., 1908; Seabreeze Amusement Park, in Rochester, N.Y., 1879; and Waldameer Park in Erie, Pa., 1896. (Clementon Park was not owned by a trolley company, but it was located at the end of a trolley line, and some parks were recreation areas before trolley companies bought them.)

With a couple of exceptions, most of the surviving trolley parks are smaller, more family-oriented and substantially cheaper than big modern theme parks with high-speed 20-story roller coasters. Some still let you pay by the ride, rather than charging hefty gate admissions that can add up to hundreds of dollars for a family. And many encourage visitors to bring picnics rather than banning outside food like some big parks do.

"As destination and regional parks try to outdo each other with huge rides that cost millions and as a result have to charge larger admissions, the value of local trolley parks remains family-friendly," said Tim O’Brien, editor at large for Funworld magazine, the official publication of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. "And they are every bit a part of a community as the local banks and mom and pop grocery stores. Trolley parks are true pieces of Americana."

Four of the 11 trolley parks still in operation are located in Pennsylvania. Futrell says the parks are a holdover from the state’s manufacturing era, when trolleys transported workers to factories and companies used the parks for annual picnics. Pennsylvania missed out when more modern theme parks were built elsewhere, so locals kept patronizing the older parks.

As with most other trolley parks, Futrell says Pennsylvania’s parks owe their existence to family owners who bought them decades ago. "These family owners cared and shepherded the parks through challenges and were smart enough not to get in trouble with debt, and they kept the parks relevant to the communities," Futrell said. "It was more than a business to them; it was a family heirloom."

Waldameer is still under family ownership; Midway is now owned by the state, but was owned by the same family for years. Kennywood and Dorney Park are now both owned by large theme park companies, but Futrell credits previous family owners with keeping them alive and financially sound to the point where they attracted new business owners.

Oaks Park in Portland, Ore., is now run by a nonprofit organization that was established by the family that once owned the park. But the park was built by the Portland Traction Co. at the end of a rail line on the Willamette River, just before the 1905 centennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

"It was a tough life then," said Mary Beth Coffey, Oaks’ senior manager, explaining the park’s appeal a century ago. "People worked in factories or agriculture. They would come to the park on the weekend. You could show off your dress or hat on the boardwalk. Oaks Park had electric lights and people didn’t have them in their houses — they called it the Great White City because of the lights. Ethnic groups — the Germans, Poles, Irish — would stay overnight."

Exotic entertainment included a roller-skating elephant and ostrich zoo, and John Philip Sousa performed at Oaks a dozen times. Then as now, a roller rink, one of the largest on the West Coast, was a park centerpiece, with live music from a Wurlitzer pipe organ.

Coffey says Oaks is thriving, with 750,000 guests from spring to early October and 800 corporate picnics annually. It’s also affordable: Parking is free, and you pay by the ride.

DyAnne Wood visited Oaks on a recent summer day, one of seven in a three-generation family outing that included her 6-year-old grandson.

"I used to go when I was younger to the roller skating rink," she said. "The park is in a beautiful place by the river, and the kids don’t understand how nostalgic it is. They just like it because it’s an amusement park with rides. But it reminds me of when I was young."

Quassy, located on scenic Lake Quassapaug in Connecticut where visitors can cool off with a swim after the rides, is an easy day trip from New York City or Western Massachusetts. Rides are a mix of old and new, with kiddie rides dating back to the 1950s, a new family drop tower installed this year and a new wooden roller coaster planned for next year. Visitors who prefer a water park to the lake can try Quassy’s "Saturation Station."

"We’ve been family-owned for 72 years now," said Quassy spokesman Ron Gustafson. "We still do 50-cent Friday nights and a $25 Saturday night carload special. That’s incredible value."

Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire, located 30 minutes north of Boston, also remains family-owned and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, according to marketing director Chris Nicoli. The park is three times its original size, and the old trolley station has been preserved as a Skee-ball building. A new exhibit at the park documents its dance hall, which through the years hosted Duke Ellington, Sonny and Cher and Frank Sinatra.

Canobie’s rides are a trip through history too: The carousel is a 19th century antique; the Yankee Cannonball wooden coaster is vintage 1930s, and the looping steel Canobie Corkscrew dates to the ’70s.

"We’ve got children coming on their eighth-grade field trip whose grandparents came on their eighth-grade field trip," said Nicoli.

Futrell says he’s optimistic about the future of the remaining trolley parks. "They’re all in good markets and they’ve all been growing over the past few decades," he said. "You never know what will happen, but I can’t imagine any of these parks going away."

Wild about geeks in 1905

Los Angeles Herald, November 19, 1905. Americans in the 19th and early 20th century were nuts about "wild men," which is why circus geeks were a popular attraction: It was like a chance to see Bigfoot in captivity. Everybody knew wild men were out there in the wilderness: Newspapers at this time would report rural sightings of supposed wild men (or women) all the time. They were always described as being "as fleet as a deer," many could jump 15 feet or more in a single bound (!), and they all lived on raw meat of some sort (cattle, snakes, whatever).
Your typical showbiz wild man was probably just a hobo in a fright wig with just enough teeth left to bite the head off a live chicken. But as this story shows, some enterprising carnies were willing to go that extra mile to impress the marks.

I definitely believe the part about this arrangement "causing considerable discomfort." Doesn’t say whether the dental accessories were also causing him trouble, but I suppose the cranial tectonics would have distracted the patient’s attention from a mere toothache. (Opiates, in any case, where always freely available at the nearest apothecary.)

"In the presence of a large number of physicians"—what did I tell you? Americans couldn’t get enough of their wild men!

History of the Oregon State Fair

How Fairs Began – A World View

Fairs are descended from an ancient tradition originating in the gathering of tribes for the exchange of goods. The gathering places were considered to be holy – the gods would punish anyone caught fighting or cheating there. Phoenician caravans brought goods to Mecca as early as 1000 B.C. Egypt, Ireland and Greece were also home to some of the earliest fairs, which featured both religious ceremonies and trading opportunities. Fairs continued into the Middle Ages and in China, France, Russia and England, great trade fairs facilitated the exchange of European and Asian goods and information.

The first fair in the U.S. was sponsored by an agricultural society in Massachusetts and took place in 1816. Fairs soon began showing up in other areas of the country, and many of them centered around agriculture. The fairs developed for the purpose of exchanging goods, exchanging information, and making social contacts.

The State Fair Main Gate, near the turn of the century.

McMinnville ranchers show their award-winning sheep, circa 1910.

Wild rides at the State Fair, circa 1950.

For many more images, stories and history of the Oregon State Fair, the book "The Oregon State Fair" by Steven Robert Heine was just released. You can purchase a copy of this book here.

The Oregon View – Yamhill County Organizes First

Agriculture was of great importance to Oregon Territory settlers and, as the region developed in the mid-1800s, citizens founded local agricultural societies to discuss farming practices and resources. During the 1850s, these societies began organizing county fairs, like those in other parts of the country they had seen or heard about. Yamhill County hosted the first Oregon county fair in 1854.

A State Fair is Born

The Oregon Farmer newspaper began calling for a State Fair. A group of farmers united to start the process of developing a State Fair. They called themselves the Oregon Fruitgrowers Association. They had a gathering in 1858 that is considered the first unofficial Oregon State Fair. That group is the forerunner of the current Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, so the agency is considered to be 143 years old this year, having started in 1858.

In 1860, the fruitgrowers united with the county agricultural societies to become the Oregon State Agricultural Society. One of the first orders of business was to fix a date for an annual, official State Fair – it would begin on the second Tuesday in October and last four days. The State Agricultural Society then went to the State Legislature in the hopes that money would be made available for the awarding of premiums (prize money given to contest winners). Despite the fact that 28 of the 50 members of the State legislature were farmers, the request was denied.

Undaunted, the State Agricultural Society pressed on and hosted the first official State Fair in 1861. The event took place on four acres of property along the Clackamas River in the Gladstone/Oregon City area. The first State Fair was considered a smashing success. Horse racing and equestrian events were particularly popular.

Salem Becomes Home

A larger area was needed, and the State Agricultural Society began taking proposals from the smaller county agricultural societies who wanted to host the State Fair. The Marion County Agricultural Society, which hosted the Marion County Fair, had the most impressive proposal and the State Fair relocated to the 50-acre lot in Salem that was home to the Marion County Fair.

The second State Fair took place in Salem, on the same location as the current State Fair. By the time the second State Fair rolled around, other activities and attractions had been added to the displays of livestock, vegetables and fruit. Quilters, canners and bakers had organized friendly competitions.

It quickly grew in popularity and more land was acquired to accommodate the increasing number of visitors, participants and animals. By 1870, the Fairgrounds were close to their current 185 acres.

State Fair Becomes Historical "Time Capsule"

Over the course of the late nineteenth and entire twentieth century, the State Fair underwent some dramatic changes and was the site for some intriguing events:

1858 – Oregon Fruitgrowers Association gathering.

1860 – February 22 – Fruitgrowers and agricultural groups unite to become the Oregon State Agricultural Society and hold their first meeting. Despite plans for an 1860 State Fair, the Legislature denied to provide money for the premiums.

1861 – October 1 – 3 – The first Oregon State Fair is held on four acres of property along the Clackamas River in the Gladstone/Oregon City area. Prize winners received diplomas and included R.C. Greer from Waldo for fat lambs, J. Watt of Salem for the best mules, and Dr L.S. Smith received a special notice for artificial teeth displayed on a gold plate. A silk quilt was made as a gift for President Lincoln and on display.

1862 – September 30 – Second State Fair takes places in Salem, the Marion County Agricultural Society having made a successful bid for its relocation.

1863 – Marion County presents title of land to Fairgrounds under the condition that the Fair is held on the site for the following 15 years.

1864 – July 7 – David Presley deeds 80 acres of land to Marion County Manager for the Oregon Agricultural Society.

1865 – April 24 – Savage estate gives 5.76 acres in trust to the Agricultural Society for $200, turned over “without interpretation of trust.”

December 19 – “An Act to Protect Fairgrounds” is passed.

1866 – Railroads extended to just a few hundred feet south of the Fairgrounds, creating a new transportation system between Salem and Portland.

1871 – Susan B. Anthony, 41, visits Oregon for several weeks and camps at the State Fairgrounds with Abigail S. Duniway, a fellow suffrage activist. Rules Governing Speed, “An Act to Protect Fairgrounds,” is passed (OSF Archives). Fairgrounds were expanded from 80 to 175 acres.

1872 – January 10 – land deeded to the Marion County Agricultural Society by the Marion County Managers.

1875 – April 22 – OR Agricultural Society granted right of way to pipe water from Mill Stream from the lands owned by Parrish, Dickinson, and Burnap.

- November 15 – the OAS was granted rights to run a 4-inch drain pipe from the State Penitentiary to the Fairgrounds for the purposes of draining water from the State Pen roof for irrigation use.

1877 – The public got a look at the phonograph, which was invented by Thomas Edison that same year, and the telephone, which had been invented by Alexander Graham Bell the previous year.

1885 – Oregon legislature gives control of the Fair to the State Board of Agriculture, with appropriations of $5,000 for its operating budget. The Fair is scheduled to open on September 21, because there will be a full moon and the Fair has yet to have electricity.

1891 – December 5 – Deed recorded Oregon State Agricultural Society to State Board of Agriculture. Natural Resources Building constructed.

1893 – The State Legislature appropriated $11,000 for Fairgrounds improvements. The money was used to construct a water system, improve the floral gardens, and build a new racetrack and grandstand.

1895 – This year, the State Fair was extended to ten days. Bicycle races were added as a special feature, sanctioned by the League of American Wheelman. William Jennings Bryant visits the Fair and makes a speech about local wool and industry, advocating that Oregonians stop sending their wool to Boston to become rugs, but to instead invest in local industry.

1897 – Fairgrounds become state property.

1900 – The Oregon Farmer newspaper commended the State Fair for accomplishing the ongoing goal of providing the state with the "opportunity of developing her agricultural resources and, when developed, of letting the world know what they are." Electricity comes to the Fair, as well as about 1,000 campers.

1901 – The price of admission to the State Fair was 25 cents for men and 10 cents for women.

1904 – The Fair features its first automobile display.

1905 – No State Fair took place, because Oregon was marking the 100th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark expedition with a big celebration in Portland.

1909 – Admission to the Fair made equal for men and women: 26 cents. This year the Fair made $20,000.

1910 – Visitors got a rare look at a "flying machine." It had been just six years since Orville and Wilbur Wright made their historic first flights in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

1911 – Horse stadium built.

1913 – Management of the Fair passes to a Board of State Fair Directors by legislative act. Commercial Exhibits building constructed.

1914 – Red Cross building constructed.

1918 – Auto and tractor show added.

1919 – Horse stadium restoration and construction.

1921 – Fairgrounds annexed into City of Salem. Salem police begin patrolling the grounds. Poultry and Machinery Exhibit Buildings constructed, which are now the oldest buildings on the grounds, listed on the Historic Registry.

1925 – Crafts and Hobbies Building constructed.

1926 – Natural Resources Building constructed.

1927 – The State Fair took place on a Sunday for the first time, although horse racing on Sundays was forbidden by the state. For many years, vaudeville acts entertained the crowds and ministers preached to fill the void on Sundays.

1929 – Grandstand built.

1931 – Management shifted to the State Board of Agriculture, created by the legislature that year.

1932 – Family Bargain Day – $1 for whole family and car. Boys and Girls Day is begun with free admittance for all high school age students and younger. Also, gambling is a big problem for the Fair this year – gamblers supposedly made more than $15,000, and 30 games were shut down by Police Chief Minto and officers.

1933 – Pari-mutual Betting Act passed by Legislature, which allows on race horses was allowed for the first time to fund the fairs and special shows such as the Pendleton Round-up. Governor Julius L. Meier proclaims “let there be no funding for the fairs. Feed the people before we entertain them.” Admission is reduced from 50 cents to 25 cents due to the Depression. Opening day of the Fair was moved to Labor Day, to take advantage of the holiday.

1934 – This year marked the centennial of Jason Lee’s arrival in Salem, and the fair celebrated with a caravan re-enacting his journey westward. The wagon train left Boston in April and arrived in Salem in time for the fair. The old attendance record was shattered that year, when more than 180,000 visitors flocked to the fair. A 1-1/3 mile racetrack was built, and an Indian Village added, populated by members of the Snohomish Tribe of Washington.

1935 – Leo Spitzbart becomes Manager of the Fair.

1937 – Livestock Barn built. In Livestock Circle, the last individual barn collapsed under the weight of snow.

1938 – Les Cook’s Cotton Club Orchestra performed. Administration Offices were built.

1939 – A "seeing eye" was added to the race track to settle any disputes on close finishes. A 5,000-animal stock barn was built, along with a new goat barn and restaurant row.

1942 – Maybe there was a State Fair, maybe there wasn’t. Some say it took place on a limited scale due to World War II (including only 4-H displays, livestock exhibits, and 27 county displays), while other accounts note that it didn’t take place at all. Either way, 1942 is not considered an official State Fair year.

1943 & 1944 – No State Fair took place during these WW II years, because several branches of the military leased the Fairgrounds to house personnel. In the summer of 1943, at the request of the Willamette Valley Cherry Growers, the Fairgrounds became a labor camp for the Mexican workers needed to harvest the cherry crop.

1946 – Governor Earl Snell’s opening day speech was broadcast over radio for the first time, inaugurating a new tradition at the fair. A moveable stage on a track was created for the musical reviews and variety shows which were held at the grandstand. Sammy Davis, Jr., played this stage as an unknown with his father and brother, as did Ted Mack.

1946 – 74 – Salvation Army Donut hut at the Fairgrounds to raise money for building repair.

1947 – Racing Stables built.

1951 – Management shifted to the State Fair Commission, newly created. Commission members served four-year terms and were appointed by the Governor.

1952 – The newly created State Fair Commission approved the sale of beer at the State Fair. The order was rescinded a few days later following protests by church groups who didn’t like the idea of liquor at an event that attracted so many young people. Beer did not make a comeback until 1971.

1955 – Beef Barn built.

1957 – Howard Maple becomes Fair Commissioner and Manager. Capital improvement include extending the track ½ mile to be 5 furlongs, new thoroughbred stables, additional parking lots, house stables area, new roads and other track/grandstand improvements, and the Lone Oak program.

1958 – Fair runs for 10 days for the first time. FFA Exhibit Building, 4-H Cafeteria and Dormitory, FFA and 4-H Auditorium, and additional Racing Stables built.

1960 – September 6th – Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy brings his Presidential Campaign to the State Fair.

1961 – A 90-foot Titan missile, similar to the one that had just launched a satellite into orbit, was displayed. Visitors were able to get a close-up look at space age technology, while an old-fashioned rodeo kicked up just a few hundred yards away. The theme of the 1961 fair was the "100th Birthday of the 96th Annual Fair." A birthday party was held on the Capitol steps, complete with a 16×16-foot cake, portrayals of Oregon’s historical figures, and square dancing.

1962 – The Oregon Educational Network, KOAP-TV in Portland and KOAC-TV in Corvallis inaugurated the first live, regular schedule of television programming from the State Fair. Horse Barn is constructed this year, and hearings on the State Fair are held: "Legislative Interim Committee on Agriculture."

1963 – Floral Building constructed/improved.

1964 – The dates were changed so that the last day of the State Fair would be on Labor Day. This change was made to better accommodate schoolchildren.

1965 – The 1965 fair was considered the true centennial of the fair, and Northwest Natural Gas created a 75-foot candle, the "Oregon Flame," to honor Oregon agriculture. The candle, fueled by natural gas, was turned on by Governor Mark Hatfield as the fair opened. A brand new Women’s Building was added that year. Atomic energy display at the Fair.

1966 – October – First indoor tennis courts in the Pacific Northwest built inside the Women’s World Building.

1967 – OSF Commission asks Legislature to fund 10 year rebuilding program.

March 31 – Howard Maple resigns. Robert L. Stevens takes over.

July 31 – The Fairgrounds were hit hard by a raging fire as preparations were under way for the State Fair. The fire destroyed the 63,500 square foot Commercial Building, which was built in 1913, and the adjoining Natural Resources Building, a 47,000 square foot facility that dated back to 1891. Firemen from Salem, Keizer, Brooks and Four-Corners worked together to put out the blaze. No injuries were reported. Arson was suspected and the police apprehended a former mental patient who had been working in the Commercial Building. He was arrested and charged. He pled innocent by reason of insanity, but the plea was rejected and he was sent back to a mental hospital.

Forty percent of the commercial exhibit space was lost, and Pacific Northwest Bell and Northwest Natural Gas lost permanent exhibits. There were no major injuries, but all Salem firemen were called to the scene. Insurance coverage on the two buildings amounted to only $750,000, while replacement costs were estimated to be $2-3 million.

Governor Tom McCall met with the Commissioners and they decided to go ahead with the State Fair. The debris was cleared away and tents, borrowed from the Rose Festival, county fairs, the carnival operator (West Coast Carnival, Inc.), and church groups, were put up. Those involved with the State Fair tried to make the best of the situation, even commenting that the tents offered a nostalgic feel, as the earliest State Fairs were held under tents.

1970 – Governor Tom McCall presides over opening ceremonies with hot air balloon race to the Capitol: "Quality Environment" and "Pollution," the former of which won the race. Governor McCall dedicated the new Agricultural Exhibits and Commercial Hall buildings. The hit of the 1970 State Fair was the 103-foot replica of the rocket that took Gemini into orbit and a display of moon rocks, which had been sent to Governor McCall from President Richard Nixon. This year, the Oregon Agricultural Society purchases 72.5 acres from P.O.Riley for $3,625 in gold coin.

1971 – Beer sold at the fair for the first time. An additional charge was added to the ticket price for the daily shows.

1972 – A tribute to the timber industry featured two acres of exhibits, including a 32-foot high model of Mt. Hood, complete with glacial cold air, trees, fish pond, and creek.

1974 – Lillie Ward becomes the first woman director of the Fair. A Legislative Emergency Board subcommittee recommended a study to determine whether the fair should be abolished.

1975 – January – Governor Robert Straub and more than 200 people jammed a session of the Joint Ways and Means Committee to support continuation of the Fair.

This year, the Women’s World Building changed its name to the Living Arts Building; Mrs. Richard Brady, Home Economics Superintendent, explains "We ‘liberated’ our building. Now men can feel perfectly welcome here." (Oregon Journal, May 5, 1975). The centerpiece of 1975′s "Salute to the Sea" was the 175,000-gallon " Oregon Ocean," a huge pool used for synchronized swimming shows and water polo matches.

1976 – A proposed $1.5 million General Fund expenditure for a multipurpose building and other improvements. The Committee eventually approved the financing, with additional financial support pledged by the City of Salem, Marion County, and the Salem Chamber of Commerce. The Jackman-Long Building opened in about the same location the Commercial Building stood. The 4-H/FFA Barn also made its debut. In addition, the Carnival was enlarged.

1977 – Operations of the Fair shifted from being organized under the policies of the State Fair Commission: the Commission became an advisory board, the manager position became a directorship (empowered to affect new policies and procedures), and the name was changed to "The Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center." Because of the Fair’s financial problems, Governor Straub restructured the State Fair Commission and gave control over the Fair to the Executive Department, with a Fair Director to be appointed by the Governor. Dwight Butt was appointed as Director. The State Fair Commission would be expanded to nine members, who would serve the director in an advisory capacity.

1978 – Grounds receive general facelift.

1979 – Opening day, a steer named Rufus escaped from his handlers, swam the Willamette River, and found his way to a cornfield, where he stayed for six weeks. Rufus became the Fair’s mascot, and was displayed–behind reinforced fencing–from 1980 through 1987. Sadly, Rufus was euthanized in early 1988 after he injured his leg.

1980 – Fair set a new attendance record, with 647,999 visitors over the Fair’s ten-day run. The Fair began booking well-known acts for its weekday shows, in an effort to boost weekday receipts. Fair admission increased to $3.50 for adults.

1981 – This year, a legislative mandate was issued that the Fair become self-supporting and the Legislature removed General Fund support. Fair is opened by Oregon First Lady Dolores Atiyeh, as Governor Vic Atiyeh was out of the state at the Republican National Convention. A film festival was added to the State Fair events.

1982 – A new modern $137,000 "manure removal system" was installed after problems with the City of Salem over the handling of manure at the Fairgrounds.

1983 – Rodeo discontinued due to lack of attendance and low revenues at the recommendation of Fair Board Director Dwight Butt.

1985 – Oregon legislature passes bill authorizing Fair to sell up to $10 million in improvement bonds for capital renovations projects. This includes a commemorative wall in accordance with the 1% for art state statutes. Three new "trolley" wagons, built by inmates of the Oregon State Penitentiary and pulled by tractors, began shuttling visitors between parking and the Fairgrounds. State Fair admission increased to $4.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.

1986 – A new attendance record was set of 791,000, and this was broken the next year, when 818,285 people visited the Fair. Opening day featured the largest balloon release to date (50,000 balloons). Balloons were imprinted with ‘Think Escape’ to mark the beginning of a statewide fire safety campaign.

1987 – The old Livestock Barn is razed and the Forester Livestock Pavilion and the L.B. Day Amphitheatre opens. The Amphitheatre was named for the Salem-based State Senator who was a strong supporter of the State Fair. Improvements were also made to the historic Stadium Arena (such as a new roof, electrical system, indoor paint job and cement walkway), as well as to the food concession area, the petting zoo, livestock shows and entertainment. These efforts, utilizing $6.5 million in capital improvements, were enabled by the 1985 legislation. State Fair admission increased to $5.00 for adults. The first intertribal powwow was held at the Fair.

1988 – Opening ceremonies were held at 3:30pm rather than the traditional 10am start time to accommodate Governor Neil Goldschmidt’s schedule.

1989 – A second arson fire, this one set by three young girls, erupted in March, 1989, destroying a beef barn and doing a total of $737,690 in damages. A $1 million, 21,000-square-foot Beef Barn opened in time for the fair in August and was dedicated on opening day. Improvements made to the Natural Resources area such as a new OR Fish and Wildlife exhibit hall, improved landscaping and walkways. Don Hillman becomes Director this year.

1990 – Friendship Square developed into an eating and entertainment area. Fountain Plaza was built for professional entertainment.

1991 – New entrance dedicated on the west side of the grounds.

1992 – The Oak Grove on the NW corner of the Fairgrounds is designated a "Heritage Tree Grove" by the Marion Historical Society.

1993 – HB 2031 – creates an independent public corporation to manage the State Fair: a 15-member policymaking board replaces advisory commission; a board-appointed CEO, etc replace the governor appointed Director.

1998 – First high definition television (HDTV) demonstration was held at the State Fair by Portland television station, KGW. Another attraction was the X-Scream Zone, which featured competitions in bike racing, in-line skating, and skateboards. During the 1990s, the State Fair added a chairlift (The Skylift) with a route that bisects the fairgrounds (north to south) as a ride for fairgoers.

1999 – HR 2153 – legislature approves use of lottery-backed bonds for capital improvements on the Fairgrounds. This year, the first recognized miniature pig show at the State Fair occurred. Awards were presented for grooming, longest tail, biggest jowls and costumes.

2000 – The first time a hypnotist has performed a public show in Oregon since 1905 due to a change in Oregon law. Fair admission was $6.00 for adults.

2002 – In October, the old State Fair Grandstand was demolished, with ornamental work on its stucco facade to be salvaged for the replacement facility. The new facility will be constructed to accommodate concerts.

2003 – Capital improvements to the Fairgrounds include the building of a brand-new $10 million, 50,000-seat Multipurpose Pavilion, now used year-round for a variety of events.

2004 – Aerospace demonstration by Oregon Space Grant Consortium includes a demonstration of high-altitude and low-altitude balloons for the educational delight of Fairgoers young and old.

2005 – HB 3502 – shifts management of the Fair to the Parks and Recreation Department (effective January, 2006), in order to curb the Fair’s economic reliance on the state’s general tax fund. The legislation requires the Parks Department to appoint a 7 member advisory board with representatives from different counties to oversee the Fair’s management.

2006 – Fair sets a national example for other state fairs by teaming up with West Coast Biodiesel Co-op and Agri-Plas Inc. to recycle the leftover oil and other materials left after the annual celebration.

Washington County Fair History

Washington County has been an agricultural area from the earliest times. It is only natural that agricultural societies and fairs would have been carried on from a very early time. During the more than 200 years that have passed since that first “Morganza Fair' in 1798, there have been no less then 14 fair associations throughout the county.

The first “Morganza Fair' was actually an exhibition of cattle and sheep held for the purpose of sale on the last Saturday of October, 1798. At the premises of Daniel Purcel in the forks of Chartiers at the head of John Struther's Mill Dam. Advertised in the October 1, 1798 newspaper he states “55 head of beef cattle, working oxen, cows and sheep are already entered at this fair and it is expected more than double the number will be entered before the day of sale.” An entry fee of six pence per head was charged and cattle would be taken care of at a reasonable cost.”' No further notices regarding this fair appear and apparently only this single exhibit was held.

The first long-standing efforts to organize an Agricultural Society in Washington County took place in 1821. The following notice was placed in the Reporter of December 24, 1821: “Many gentlemen have been solicitous that a meeting should be called to make the necessary arrangements to form an Agricultural Society. To this object a meeting will be held at the tavern of George Jackson, in this borough, on Wednesday evening next at 5 o'clock P.M. The farmers are particularly invited to attend this meeting. The policy and vast importance of such associations must be obvious to every citizen. The county commissioners and grand jury had agreed to the establishment of an agricultural society under the law of March 6, 1820. Two committees were then appointed, one to draft by-laws and the second to solicit subscriptions. The Examiner newspaper of Oct. 23, 1824 lists the names of 214 person who had subscribed.

At a meeting held on March 27, 1822 the “Washington County Society for the Promotion of Agricultural and Domestic Manufactures” was organized. This was one of the first nineteen agricultural societies formed in the United States up to 1826. On April 4, 1822 a meeting of officers was held at the home of John Fleming. It was approved that an annual exhibition be held on “Wednesday of the Supreme Court in each year.” In 1822 a report made to County auditors shows a total of $193.00 in subscriptions and $173.25 paid out in premiums for exhibits.

The 1822 fair was held on a lot owned by James Ruth, on East Maiden St. near Lincoln St.; but the next year it was changed to the John Sample farm, further east on the National Pike. That year James Gilmore was awarded a $16.00 premium for the best Merino Ram and 2 best Merino Ewes and Best Brood Sow. William Brownlee won $10.00 for second place merino ram and best ewes. Awards were given for cultivated farms; the first prize of $25.00 went to Enoch Wright, with second place going to lssac Manchester. In 1823 a total of $301.00 was paid out in premiums. While a total of $610.40 was received in 1824 with $595.25 was paid out in premiums and expenses. Alexander Scott, James Moore and John Flock, Jr. received first, second and third places respectively for best merino buck. For the next several years stock showing was held on a lot on the south side of West Chestnut Street owned by Samuel McFarland near the old train station at the bottom of Chestnut Street Hill. While vegetables, fruits, grains and manufactured goods were exhibited on the grounds of the public square.

via Fair History.

History of the SC State Fair

HISTORY OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR

(All photographs on this page and in the slideshow are circa 1930-1960.)

Each October, people of all ages come to Columbia to participate in the South Carolina State Fair, one of the TOP 50 Fairs in the United States. Exhibits as well as livestock competitions and entertainment draw both rural and urban crowds.

The State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina, an eleemosynary institution owned and controlled by life members, is responsible for the establishment of the South Carolina State Fair.

The present State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina was preceded by the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, 1839-49 and the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, 1855-61.

In November of 1839, the State Agricultural Society was organized in Columbia, SC. Patrick Nobel was President; W.B. Seabrook, Whitfield Brooks, W.K. Clowney, James Gregg and B.F. Dunkin, Vice Presidents; and George McDuffie, Anniversary Orator. This Society ended in the 1940's.

On August 8, 1855, an agricultural convention met in Columbia and resulted in the reorganization of the Society of which the present South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Society is the successor. A.P. Calhoun was elected President; A.G. Summer, Secretary. Summer was succeeded by R.J. Gage as Secretary, and Calhoun served as President until the outbreak of the Civil War. Buildings were erected with an initial $5,000 appropriation from the Legislature.

In 1861, the Society's Fair buildings were occupied by Confederate authorities and used in the manufacture of munitions of war. In 1865, Sherman's army burned the buildings.

Again in April 1869, the Society was resurrected with Johnson Hagood, President, and D. Wyatt Aiken, Secretary. The City of Columbia reconstructed the buildings, in part, and a fund was raised from sale of life memberships with which to renew the operations of the Society and create a statewide fair. At that time, the Legislature appropriated $2,500 annually to assist the Society in its worthwhile endeavors.

The area on Elmwood grew too small for the event, so in 1904, the Society moved the fair to its present location on property along Bluff Road in Columbia.

In 1912, the Society bought the Hippodrome Building, which had been used for the Jamestown Exposition near Norfolk, Virginia in 1907 and for the National Republican Convention in 1908. It was moved to Columbia, where the National Corn show was held that year. Destroyed by fire in 1966, the building was replaced by the present Hampton and Ruff Buildings.

Today, the South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Society has full responsibility for the operation of the fair and much of the proceeds are provided to charitable organizations throughout the state. Though the fair is still considered the “State Fair”, it is not state-owned and receives no appropriation from the State of South Carolina.

The Society has 6 buildings, totaling more than 125,000 square feet of exhibit space. The premiums offered for the Society's annual state fair have grown from $5,000 in 1882 to more than $300,000 today, and, at the same time, attendance has increased from 3,000 to over 600,000. Also, other shows, exhibitions, and events are held at the site throughout the year to further the Society's objective “to promote the material, educational, agricultural and industrial interests of the state.” Throughout its existence, the South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Society has continued to fulfill that charge.

via History of the SC State Fair.

IAFE – The History of Fairs

The history of fairs is clouded and the record is less than complete. Nonetheless, the story of mankind is replete with references to fairs, not in an institutional context, but as a part of everyday social intercourse.

A casual observer might conclude that American fairs and exhibitions came fresh out of eighteenth century western Europe, delivered to the colonial docks of Boston and Halifax with a predisposed mission to serve agriculture and animal husbandry.

This observation fits with our collective sense of tradition, but fails to recognize centuries of historical linkage to the eastern Mediterranean before the birth of Christ. Old and New Testament references to fairs are mixed with allusions to commerce, trade, the marketplace, festivals, religious feasts and holy days.

Where and when the first fair was held is not known, however, evidence points to the existence of fairs as early as 500 BC Scripture records in the book of Ezekiel: “Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the kinds of riches with silver, iron, tin and lead, they traded in thy fairs.” Ezekiel's account of the destruction of Tyre, supposedly written about 588 BC, describes Tyre as an important market and fair center.

Fairs were commercial in character from the beginning. Merchants from distant countries would come together, bringing native wares to trade with one another, and even though it is not clearly explained in Ezekiel or in other biblical references, it is reasonable to assume that “fair” was the name given to the place at which early trading between foreign merchants was conducted.

It is equally clear that religious activity was companion to the commerce. The Latin world “feria” meaning holy day, would appear the logical root of the word “fair.” Each feria was a day when large numbers of people would assemble for worship. Worship in those early days was centered around temples in great cities, including Ninevah, Athens, Rome and Mecca. These cities were also respected as the great commercial centers of the world. Fields adjacent to these temples were staked out for traders. Religious figures were placed about the fields in order to protect the traders and merchants.

During the early Christian era, the church took an active part in sponsoring fairs on feast days, and as a result, fairs came to be a source of revenue for the church. Possibly, our modern church bazaars possess some rudiments of these religious fairs.

This evolution which blended religion and commerce continued over time and moved into western Europe. Periodic gatherings brought together the producers of all types of commodities for the purpose of barter, exchange and, finally, outright sale. To this marketplace were added entertainment and other forms of activity thus, these primitive market took on the aspect of fairs as we know them today.

In 1765, less than 300 years after Columbus finished his work in the New World, the first American fair was presented in Windsor, Nova Scotia. The same fair continues to operate today. In upper Canada, as Ontario was known in early Confederation, a fair was held in 1792, sponsored by the Niagara Agricultural Society. As with Windsor, the Niagara Fair remains in operation today. In addition, many small fairs were held during the early 1700's in French Canada while under French rule.

Meanwhile, Elkanah Watson, a New England patriot and farmer, earned the title, “Father of US agricultural fairs” by organizing the Berkshire Agricultural Society and creating an event (known then as a Cattle Show) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in September 1811. It was more than just an exhibit of animals – it was a competition, with prize money ($70) paid for the best exhibits of oxen, cattle, swine and sheep.

Watson worked diligently for many years helping communities organize their own agricultural societies and their respective shows (fairs). By 1819 most counties in New England had organized their own agricultural societies and the movement was spreading into the other states. The nineteenth century closed with almost every state and province having one or more agricultural fair or exhibition.

The core elements of those agricultural society events of the early 1800s – those early fairs – are at the heart of the agricultural fair in North America today. Competition for the best agricultural and domestic products of the county and/or community (or region or state), an annual celebrate for the community to come together, to share, to learn.

Today, over 3,200 fairs are held in North America each year. They provide industrial exhibits, demonstrations and competition aimed at the advancement of livestock, horticulture and agriculture with special emphasis placed on educational activities such as 4-H, FFA and similar youth development programs. While enjoying these high-minded pursuits, fair visitors are also able to see, hear, touch, smell and taste the richness and variety of what the world has to offer.

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via IAFE – The History of Fairs.

A Brief History of State Fairs – Photo Essays – TIME

A Brief History of State Fairs In an enduring summer ritual, Americans turn out for livestock judging, butter sculpture, cheese curds and more

via A Brief History of State Fairs – Photo Essays – TIME.

July 1941

July 1941. Girls at the Fourth of July carnival in Vale, Oregon. View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration.

150 at Olmsted County Fair

Saying the Olmsted County Fair’s 150 years sparkles might be stretching it a bit.
However, "sparkle" might be in the mind of anyone who simply loved an event. Kids that won Grand Championship ribbons, and awards for their 4-H exhibits probably "sparkled" for a time. And if the judges did not rate them to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, "where did I go wrong?"
In those early years there was great cooperation between the Olmsted County Agricultural Association, the County Extension Service, and the Olmsted County Farm Bureau. The Olmsted County Farm Bureau was growing right along with the number of 4-H clubs. In 1922 county agent Victor Flint wrote that the Farm Bureau Clubs helped secure leaders for boys and girls club work and sponsors for club activities and projects such as livestock, crops and homemaking.
During the early years, the Olmsted County Fair had a close relationship with rural schools, and there was great sponsorship from the business people and various service clubs. The depression years of 1932 until 1934 brought nearly everything to a halt but the Fair was re-established in 1935. This, according to the report of the late Ray Aune. He went on to say that in 1936 the Farm Bureau had again become the official organization to help carry out the work of the extension service, which included the County Fair.
By 1942 Farm Bureau in Olmsted County had a membership of 418, with units in ten of the 18 townships. In 1948 every township had an active Farm Bureau unit bringing the county membership to 1,144.
Ray Aune’s writings include the George Howard story. Seems George came from New York State with his family and settled on a farm near Viola. George became a school teacher and later Olmsted County Superintendent of Schools. When visiting country schools in the Spring of 1904 he carried seed corn in his buggy. He told the young lads to plant 200 kernels of corn and make an exhibit of the crop in the fall. He encouraged the girls to start sewing projects which they could also exhibit. In 1905 he added bread baking and cake baking as new projects for the girls. he was breathing new life into a fair that seemed to be dying. After a three day exhibition in the German Library Hall he wrote to the Olmsted County Historical Society, "I think the good Lord was on our side in the establishing and holding the fair. The dates were Oct. 1, 2, 3 and three days of finer weather for holding a fair was never given to any fair. The Indian summer was on and the warm sunny weather could not have been better for the attendance at the fair."
The German Library was jammed to the doors with exhibits and 5,000 people attending opening day.
From the success of George Howard’s work, the businessmen of Rochester advised him to move to the old county fairgrounds with his Country School Fair. Howard organized the Olmsted County Agricultural Society to run the fair, rented the old fairgrounds for a week at $250 and in 1907 opened the Olmsted County School Fair. Mr. James J. Hill was opening day speaker, and local man Frank B. Kellogg on the second day. According to newspapers of that time the event was a great success.
In 1910 Dr. Christopher Graham became interested in the fair and attempted to buy the old fairgrounds. Price was too high, so he purchased 160 acres to the west which includes today’s fairgrounds. In 1910 the first auto races were held at the Olmsted County Fair with a top speed of 60 miles per hour.
The following year people turned out to see lady pilot Ruth Law fly her airplane. According to Fred E. Cutting of Byron and the fair board secretary, Ruth flew 4 days for $300. The last day she planned to leave town that night and the banks would be closed. She asked for cash and Fred went to the ticket office for the $300 which was nearly all in $1 bills. She accepted it graciously.
Now a reminder of this year’s 150th celebration at the fairgrounds Aug. 2-8 with a special Reunion/Recognition Day on Sunday, Aug. 1 at 1:30 p.m. called "A Time to Remember" in historic Building 31 (formerly Floral Hall). there will be refreshments and a display of 150 years of the fair in Graham Arena Atrium. And on the grounds will be 25 new benches for your relaxation. These have been completely underwritten and decorated by people who care about our fair.

The history of the outdoor amusement business industry is rich and colorful. Movies, books and music have been written. A large number of television documentaries have been produced. This blog will attempt to bring some of the more obscure and difficult to find materials will be online for both a trip down memory lane and somewhat educational for the younger members of our industry, in the hopes they will not repeat the same mistakes and take glory in the industry they have chosen. Please use the search area, below to find information posted on this site and to be taken to it.

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Wild about geeks in 1905