Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-08-18
Ohio State Fair Grounds.
An INVENTORY on THE PREPARATIONS
complslensss Of Appointments.

Yesterday afternoon, and made note OF the
work of preparation, and as the public here
and elsewhere desire 10 know what has been
done, we will endeayor briefly 10 give them an
outline Of the present condition Of the ar
rangements for the Fair, and what is expect
ed to be completed in the course 0f next
week, &c, &c.
Il will be remembered that, In addition to
the enlargement Of the Grounds to the South
Of the old County lot, and taking in that beau
tiful strip Of woodland ON the east Philips
Hiu,--the charming knoll shaded with forest
oaks, which overlooks the city from the south,
and from whose brow extensive views are had
for miles up the Saltwater Madriver and Mi
ami Valeys--has been added so that alto
gether, when every question Is considered, it
is the most eligible, while it 10 the best adapt
ed location for State Fair Of any known
place in Ohio
Main street. as we approach the Hill, has
been paved and guttered in the best manner
and sidewalk is now completed to the ticket
office for pedestrians, and those who arrive in
omnibusses, &c, at the base Of the Hill; and
inside are two excellent tracks by which to as
cend the Hill upon the grounds proper
The arrangements for ingress and egress
are excellent. In addition TO the gate above
trance for carriages, omnibusses, &c, which
are obliged to pass inside then south of this
gate few rods is an entrance for cattle and
stock alone; then still few rods further south
is the place Of egress for carriages, &c The
plan for vehicles is so arranged as to prevent
the usual confusion and danger to pedestrians.
Patrons and visitors to the Fair will bear in
mind that the utmost care has been taken TO
prevent accidents at or in the neighborhood
of the ea'es
A complete fence has been put around the
Grounds, the most substantial structure of the
kind we have ever seen for a similar purpose.
Once inside of the entrance for vehicles, the
scene before the beholder is truly gratifying.
To the left and south is Horse AUenUe, beau
tiful and shaded drive between two rows of
stables for the horses, and which extends to
the south end of the grounds. To the right of
Horse Apenue first is Manufacturers Hall,
40 by 200 feet Then next is Po,rer Hall, so
| by 100 feet and still further south is the Feed
Hall, 10 by 80 feet, which is designed to CON
tain the grain to feed the stock, &c. These
structures are very substantially built, the
best of lumber large and sound, being used in
them.
On the south side of the Grounds are the
stables, &c, belonging to the County Agri-
cultural Society The south west corner of
the Grounds verge upon the canal Lumber
and cattle, &C., can be brought to that point
and disembarked close to the stalls designed
to receive them. 1t will also be convenient
for watering stock.
The central and southern part of the
grounds are occupied with higly approved
Horse Track, about the third of a mile in
circumference. 1t is put in the very best con-
dition, and is pronounced by horsemen to be
an fat Gentlemen of our city already
train their horses upon it, and the place is re-
markably attractive every evening lmmedi-
atey west of the track is being erected sub
stantial stand for ladies and their attendants,
from which every spectator can have an un-
obstructed view over the track, and, indeed,
over the entire grounds 1t is expected to
seat about 1900 persons, and is constructed
so substantially as to defy break down. No
fears need be entertained on that score. And
while we are on this subject we will observe
that in the grove upon the high ground over
looking the ring from the north, several hun
dred persons may see the trials upon the
track. That point will be grand attraction
during the Fair
AT the extreme west of the lot is double
row of stalls for hogs, sheep, &c, extending
about half the length of the Grounds, On the
right of the entrance for vehicles, and ex.
tending down the east side of the grounds about
two-thirds down Phillips Hill, are two rows OF
cattle stalls, in the shade during the day. A
better place for the purpose could not be Sc
lected in the State Altogether there are 100
stalls for horses, mules, cattle, &c, and l25
for sheep and hogs
Near the north line of the grounds is Fruit
Hall, 80 by 100 feet. In the vicinity are sew
eral Halls for various purposes, and at the
north line of the lot is the Eating Hall, % by
265 feet
AS the visitor approaches nearer the brow
of the HILL Floral Hall will be seen; it is 40
by l6S feet, and will be complete ''beauty Of
a place" OF course we expect to see it bur
dened with perfume, and beautiful beyond de-
scription. The best of accommodations have
been made for the comfort of the ladies.
The most unique and fanciful structure up
on the grounds is Fine Art Hall, which is
built Immediately upon the brow of the Hill,
and overlooks the city and the valleys beyond.
II is an Octagon 20 feet in diameter, and is
about so feet high. The Hall will be lighted
by sash placed in an octagon attic, which will
be surmounted by flagstaff, the whole affair
making one of the greatest attractions upon
the grounds 1t villas will all the other
buildngs--be water tight; and artists need not
! fear having their works injured by the wealth
er The Hall will be tastily finished decora-
ted inside and will be very fairie palace
when occupied.
1t will be proper to say here that a bridge
will be built across the canal, so that pedestri-
ans may approach and enter the grounds from
the west The roads have all been made, and
next week the entire ground will be in readi.
ness for the Fair.
The water for drinking and for stock will
be brought from two mammoth springs upon
the place of Col PATTERSON, about three quar-
ters of a mile, through pipes to the vicinity Of
the Eating Hal where areseryoir is being pre-
pared for it 1t is most excellent water, cold
as ice, but thousand times better
For the pleasure of a ride to and over the
Grounds, we are indebted to the kindness OF
Mr. Thomas Brown, and for the information
which we have hastily given our readers we
thank Mr.. GREGG, who has charge of the work,
and who has had the arrangement of it for the
Board for the last three or four years.
In word the public may rest assured that
the Ohio State Fair Grounds will be as com
plete as it is possible to get them; and to one
: and all we say-Come
HkSPA The sewinO machine article of Monday