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144 years of History
In the long, tried and found true history of Darke County
there never has been nor likely ever will be an entity that
has drawn the abiding attention of so many untolled thousands
people, residents and non-residents alike, as that August
augmentation, Fair Week.
It all began in 1853 when Franklin Pierce served as the 14th
president of the United States of America and has lived, breathed
and prospered through the terms of no less than 28 heads of
the state.
The history of the Great Darke Count Fair, very soon to see
its 142nd merry-go-round, is much too deep, far
too wide ranging to be totally covered in these humble lines.
Yet by the same token, by selecting certain segments, one
can visualize what could be called a great event.
And, by the same token, when the fair hits its sesquicentennial
150th year in 2006, surely there will be more true
stories, more progress, more excitement, and more of the ongoing
anticipation of Fair Week that has long since become part
and parcel of local life.
A
Beginning
Other countries in the area were doing it and many others
were planning and it was in the latter planing category that
Darke County spawned its first agricultural exposition in
the late summer of 1852 when better than a score of people
gather in the second edition courthouse in Greenville to say
in no uncertain terms, "We want a fair of our own.’’
Dr. I.N. Gard was named chief executive officer and ably lead
such men as George Coover, Alfred Kitchen and Noah Arnold
to realize that dream. And so it came to pass that on a Wednesday
and Thursday, September 7 and 8 of 1853, 145 years ago, Darke
indeed had a fair of its own.
Greenville, as the county seat, was selected for geographic
reasons and thus the initial fair was held on the former Annie
Oakley Festival grounds immediately east of Garst museum.
The Darke County Agricultural Society expanded to over 300
members and the fair itself prospered. For the first five
years it remained on the present day museum grounds, then
moved in 1858 to today’s Oakwood and Oak Street area
in southwest Greenville adjacent to the Brethren Home where
one can still see a partial outline of the harness racing
track in the street curvature.
Then
came 1870
By the time the 16th fair moved into view, the
third and final grounds move was made when, in 1870, today’s
fairgrounds was established…not as large nor as busy
as today to be sure, but moved then none the less.
It is remarkable that only three times since its inception
has there been no fair held. These will be discussed later
in these lines.
But the fair itself rapidly established itself not only as
a ways and means to exhibit livestock and crop bounties, but
as a much needed respite to troubles and cares, a beneficial
rest stop along the highways of life.
In the decades of the Darke fair, the United States has been
involved in no less than seven wars in which over 642,000
men and women lost their lives to battle deaths, a number
of them from Darke County. The county went through the zesty
Roaring Twenties and into abyss of the Great Depression. Yet
the fair was always there as its own unique pressure release
valve. And also shall it be.
Landmark
Fairs
For illustrative purposes one can devote lines to the fairs
of 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago, thereby bringing to light
one means of seeing how life itself has progressed.
We begin the journey in 1898, already the 43rd
fair, now moved back from its September Song of the earliest
days to the familiar August run. It was to be a five-day event,
Monday through Friday, the 22nd to the 26th.
And by the time the whole she bang was in the books, it was
estimated by the fair board president J.M. Brown that 28,000
people had been in attendance.
A highlight was the "Famous Professor Hannon’’
and his miraculous balloon ascensions and breath-stopping
parachute leaps to the huge gray grandstand. The midway was
very small, but the farm related exhibits were, for that time
very encompassing. People drove their horse drawn buggies
and wagons right onto the grounds and made a full day of it,
bringing bulging baskets of chicken fried in an iron skillet
and covered with grandmother’s red and white checkered
cloth, crockery containers of true lemonade, a veritable Alps
of homemade potato salad, acres of homemade apple and cherry
pies…and all the trimmings.
People vied for space under the sheltering giant oaks, laid
out their tablecloths and shooed away black ants. Children
hooted and cavorted, adults visited, compared life notes and
discussed the fall harvest. By the time the sun sank over
the prairie land to the west, it was homeward bound, there
to reach by dark.
Premiums for exhibits were very modest by today’s rates,
such as fifty cents for glove cases or a fancy whisk broom
(won by Lillie Bunger) in the "Ornamental Work’’
category.
Harness racing had a then-hefty total purse of $2,200 and
single admission to the grounds was a quarter dollar with
family ducats at one dollar.
Downtown Greenville where "everyone did their Friday-Saturday
trading’’ was itself a bustling spot, fortified
by the Mozart store operated by Eikenberry and Christopher
(where it seemed everyone had worked at one time or another).
Limbert and Hand’s dry goods at Third and Broadway, Emrick’s
drug store where you could purchase a gallon of machine oil
for twenty-five cents or a bottle of Scott’s Emulsifier
(if you were experiencing tiredness but didn’t need to
be oiled).
In the long, tired and found true history of Darke County
there never has been nor likely ever will be an entity that
has drawn the abiding attention of so many untolled thousands
people, residents and non-residents alike, as that August
augmentation, Fair Week.
It all began in 1853 when Franklin Pierce served as the 14th
president of the United States of America and has lived, breathed
and prospered through the terms of no less than 28 heads of
the state.
The history of the Great Darke Count Fair, very soon to see
its 142nd merry-go-round, is much too deep, far
too wide ranging to be totally covered in these humble lines.
Yet by the same token, by selecting certain segments, one
can visualize what could be called a great event.
And, by the same token, when the fair hits its sesquicentennial
150th year in 2006, surely there will be more true
stories, more progress, more excitement, and more of the ongoing
anticipation of Fair Week that has long since become part
and parcel of local life.
75
Years Ago
The 1923 edition, the fair’s 68th, hold even
higher promises for things to do, to see and to hear about.
Run August 20-24, the fair added some new wrinkles such as
three stakes races, boys livestock judging contest, Girls
Canning Club work and something curiously called the Ohio
Ten Litter Club.
The Arcanum High band performed as did the Greenville American
Legion post musicians. The Civic League operated a first aid
tent and on Soldier’s (now Veterans Day), then current
and former people in uniform marched in parade format from
Memorial Hall to the fairgrounds.
Business leader and horse owner Tom Billingsley had entered
one of his steeds named Glendill in the speed program while
S. F. Ludy went with his horse, a filly (we think) named Ruth
Axworthy.
Freda Rismiller captured blue ribbon and a free trip to Columbus
for her canning exhibit, while Joe Magato was awarded a top
spot and $5 for his Poland China boar.
Ohio’s Warren G. Harding was president as the fair plans
jelled but he was to die in San Francisco that August 2 under,
some still feel were somewhat mysterious circumstances.
But all in all, it was another in an endless skein of ever-successful
fairs and Darke County looked to the turning of leaves and
the opening of another school term.
On
to 1948
A great deal had happened in the country by the time the 93rd
fair week rolled around in late August of 1948, not the least
of which was that breathing space between World War Two and
the Korean Conflict.
And this was to be a break year because no fair would be held
in ’49.
Premiums for exhibitors amounted to over $30,000 and fair
board secretary Frank Heistand said included was $14,000 for
the speed program’s purses over their five day run.
Ohio governor Thomas J. Herbert was in attendance along with
his wife. Although he didn’t speak he just enjoyed (one
can hopefully assume).
There was $2,300 in Junior Fair premiums too and the Wednesday
and Thursday horse team pulling contests grew in popularity.
For grandstand entertainment, then getting a solid foothold,
the fair board had acquired the services of the Duke of Paducah
and Bradley Kincaid, popular radio entertainers in the country-western
category. "Lucky Lotto’’ brought in his auto
thrill show and a three ring circus that called itself "Sawdust
and Spangles’’ was also on hand. Add to that the
Cleveland "Marching Marjorettes’’ who performed
some of their Cleveland Browns football game routines.
As always, especially in those days, Greenville and the county
communities went dark during the fair week…businesses
and offices closed up tightly and all simply went to the fair.
Some still do.
Election Day saw five fair board members retain their office:
Irvin Bankson., Art Barga, Jess Ross, Dewey Hanes and Charlie
York. Friday’s gate receipts amounted to $7,518.25 and
it was said the total week’s income was to be a new record
of nearly $70,000.
In the long, tired and found true history of Darke County
there never has been nor likely ever will be an entity that
has drawn the abiding attention of so many untolled thousands
people, residents and non-residents alike, as that August
augmentation, Fair Week.
It all began in 1853 when Franklin Pierce served as the 14th
president of the United States of America and has lived, breathed
and prospered through the terms of no less than 28 heads of
the state.
The history of the Great Darke Count Fair, very soon to see
its 142nd merry-go-round, is much too deep, far
too wide ranging to be totally covered in these humble lines.
Yet by the same token, by selecting certain segments, one
can visualize what could be called a great event.
And, by the same token, when the fair hits its sesquicentennial
150th year in 2006, surely there will be more true
stories, more progress, more excitement, and more of the ongoing
anticipation of Fair Week that has long since become part
and parcel of local life.
Then
1973
A quarter century ago, 1973, saw the fair’s 117th
running huge, expressly when mirrored with the 100th,
75th, and the 50th. It was eight nights
with a load if icing on the colorful cake including the famed
Dr. H.M. Parshall Memorial Futurities harness racing for pacers
and trotters.
Fair Board Chief Frank Stebbins was joined in office by his
right hand man (and future president himself) Doyle Greenhoff,
horseman Lowell Lehman as treasurer with the venerable Dr.
Dan Martin serving as secretary.
There was an international Circus before the big grandstand
for Sunday afternoon and evening performances, a demolition
derby Friday evening, the all-county worship service, tons
of harness racing, the big livestock and equipment parade,
the 4-H activities and Junior Fair enticements, both of which
had grown in popularity since 1948. Uncle Jack and Aunt Kay
were very popular with the young and not so young along the
midways as they twisted balloons into all manner of animal
shapes, told jokes and patted hundreds of little heads, rang
their Swiss bells and tolled their clanging cow bells. The
former vaudevillians were to be around for many Darke fairs.
But like all good things, the week came to an end and already
plans were firmly laid for ’74….and years beyond.
And that’s still the case.
The
Missing Fairs
Three times since the fair’s 1853 inception has there
been no event…three and only three.
In 1862 and 1863 the fair was cancelled because the county
was embroiled in pitting brother against brother in the Civil
War. The Ohio Volunteer Infantry had taken so many to Shiloh
and Bull Run, Vicksburg and Gettysburg that frankly, there
just wasn’t enough manpower to either operate or attend
a county fair. And that was that. Patriotism also prevailed
and board chief William Garner announced, "no fairs.’’
Then, for 84 consecutive years, the Great Darke County Fair
held forth…until 1949. The disease was called by three
names: Poliomyelitis, infantile paralysis…and polio.
At first medical science (and a modicum of popular belief)
felt that polio, a disease that feasted mainly on the young
causing paralysis and sometimes death, was borne by houseflies.
Communities, including those in Darke County liberally sprayed
DDT (now banned) in the evening hours and kept their children
close to home. Those in power banned public gatherings, including
church services and funerals, movies, shopping and more.
By 1949 the county of Darke closed its swimming pools and
shuttered its meetings. The city and county health departments
issued dire and truthful warnings. City health chief Dr. Maurice
Kane met with the fair board who left it in his hands whether
or not to hold a fair. It was "not.’’
So many local families were affected by polio, either at home
or through a friend, neighbor or church fellow. Every week
that terrible summer of ’49 there were more and more
reported local cases.
The Jim Light family is a prime example. First nine-year old
son Bobby contracted the dreaded disease, then his six-year
old brother Johnny.
By August 1, Darke had recorded 21 cases and Dr. Kane, 17
days prior to the fair’s announced opening, turned wisely
enough, thumbs down. By then there were 22 county polio cases.
Greenville mayor "Red" Randall and his administration
did all they could to help, a feeling certainly echoed throughout
the county, the Miami Valley, the state…and the nation.
By the morning of August 12, there were 28 local polio victims
and the public gathering restrictions went on. But there was
daylight ahead.
Officials began to ease-off August 18, first allowing church
services then as time went on, other activities. But restrictions
on those under age 19 were to remain past the crucial two-week
span. All in all, the county polio case load peaked at 33.
By the summer of 1950 board president Charlie York, who the
year previous had to task of calling a halt to the fair, knew
the county needed a shot in the arm badly and so went full-bore
into reopening the fair.
Today’s younger people cannot be expected to feel the
sheer terror and uneasiness felt in those late 1940’s
when polio so disagreeably ruled. But even now some of its
local victims remain as evidence of the terrible swath it
cut. So sadly, the Sabin and Salk preventatives for the disease
were then too many years into the future.
Some
Statistics
The office of secretary is certainly a key one for the Darke
County Agricultural Society’s board of directors. Many
have held that office and two of them in more modern times
have distinguished themselves through their longevity.
The late Dr. Dan Martin, Greenville optometrist, hold this
office for a record 23 years, from accountant Robert Brumbaugh.
Secretary Lowell E. Dill was in office for 17 years, having
begun in 1982 following Martin. Retired Marine, Kerry
Martin, the present Secretary assumed the duties in November
of 1998.
As for president of the board, Eldon Wolter currently holds
the positions. Prior to that, Don Hanes served for two years
and previously, Ray Lavy held that position for nine terms.
The honor for most years in that office goes to J.M. Browne
when he held the seat no less than 16 years from 1891 through
1906.
Auto parts supply dealer Charles York, always resplendent
with his cigar, was the top man in office 11 years, 1941 through
1951 as was amiable dairy farmer C. Luther Cox who also hold
forth 11 terms, 1962-1972.
A.J. Read was president nine years (1932-40), while four others
were in that chair for six terms; Doyle Greenhoff, John Townsend,
Thomas McCowan and M. L. Weisenbarger.
Other offices such as vice president and treasurer have held
numerous repeat holders such as Ed Buchy, Gene North and Darryl
Mehaffie as vice president and as treasurer Charlie Sackett.,
Jim Zumbrink, Lowell Lehman and Frank Stebbins to name a few.
And
Onward
Regardless of who is in office, what attractions are offered,
how hot the weather might be, how good old Great Darke County
Fair just seems to steam along with only national emergencies
to dent the boiler of that long, long train.
People in general come to he fair to be entertained in one
manner or another…through the speed program, the undeniable
bounty of food and beverage, the livestock and Junior Fair,
the gazebo attractions, the judging, the horseshoe pitching,
the rides, the religious aspect…really, very few come
with but one item in mind. It’s all taken in one way
or another.
The main grandstand entertainment has grown in popularity
and, case in point, the Darke Fair was the first county fair
to have the talents of Barbara Mandrell, straight from her
having been named Entertainer of the Year. Quite a coup. Truth
be stated, she’s been to this fair twice. And there are
many more stellar attractions that could be recalled.
In 1999, Director, Larry Foureman, introduced the fair medallion
to be commissioned in a series of eight leading up to its
sesquicen- tennial 150th year in 2006. The
medallion featured the Gazebo in 1999 and in 2000 will silhouette
the Grandstand. Only 500 of these coins will be minted
each year.
But all said and done, what makes this fair special is what
really puts the "Great’’ in Great Darke County
Fair…the people. This means from the ticket taker to
the board president, from the ride operator the person that
sells balls at the Kewpie doll game…from the people who
nightly spruce up the grounds, from the perspiring and dedicated
board members, to the harness racing drivers and trainers
from the snow cons lady to the waffle guy one who could fill
pages of tributes.
The greatest of them all, however, is when the gates are at
long last thrown open to one and all to children of all ages.
And that’s exactly what we all are.
In the long, tired and found true history of Darke County
there never has been nor likely ever will be an entity that
has drawn the abiding attention of so many untolled thousands
people, residents and non-residents alike, as that August
augmentation, Fair Week.
It all began in 1853 when Franklin Pierce served as the 14th
president of the United States of America and has lived, breathed
and prospered through the terms of no less than 28 heads of
the state.
The history of the Great Darke Count Fair, very soon to see
its 144th merry-go-round, is much too deep, far
too wide ranging to be totally covered in these humble lines.
Yet by the same token, by selecting certain segments, one
can visualize what could be called a great event.
And, by the same token, when the fair celebrated it's sesquicentennial
150th year, August 18 - 26, 2006, there were more true
stories, more progress, more excitement, and more of the ongoing
Fair Week passions and traditions that have long since become part
and parcel of local life.
In 2008, a new restroom and shower facility was built at the north-west corner of the property (Martz Street & State Route 121). Other capital improvements that were completed in 2008 were: paving the existing handicapped parking lot and also doubling its size with a gravel base at Gate # 6; taking out the original seats and floor of the Grandstand built in 1910 and replacing these items with aluminum and hard plastic materials. That same year, an all-time Gate revenue record of $377,800.00 was set.
The Gate revenue record established in 2008 was exceeded in 2009, with the new mark being set at $380,080.00.
2010 commemorated the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Grandstand that was built by the Toledo Bridge Company in 1910 at a cost of $15,000.00. To celebrate this event a lighted, roman numeral faced clock was purchased and permanently mounted on the east (midway) side of the structure. The wooden entry gates at the center of the Grandstand were replaced with an all aluminum structure equipped with hinges and rollers to make the opening and closing of the gate system very easy. The Domestic Arts (west) Building that also housed the Darke County Horseshoe Club from November to April annually was razed and a new 45' by 75' structure was built with cooperation from the Horseshoe Club. This new building included men’s and women’s restrooms. The Gate revenue record was exceeded again. The new record was established at $391,820.00.
In 2011, the Ohio Center, formerly the WDRK Pavilion, was renovated. This renovation totally enclosed the existing structure. Also included in the project were a new roof, metal exterior siding, insulated interior walls, metal interior walls and ceiling, new entry walk-in doors, two overhead doors, twelve new interior overhead strip lights, two exit/emergency light combinations with remote weather proof heads, one emergency light and new 110 volt receptacles.
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