The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-07-31
OUR NEW COUNTY SOCIETY.
New Grounds, Build
ings, &c.
Fair to be held Sept. 2d, I'd, zth,
9Th and 9Th.



-
Many years ago county agricultural So
ciety was formed in this county, and, for a
few years, we saw pretty large gatherings Oh
people at the annual fairs, and hne ulspiay,
for those days, of stock, tools, manufactured
articles &C., &c. II vas not long, however,
before charges of favoritism in the award of
nrem;nms produeed dissatisfaction, and this,
togetbnr with the fact that no one had a
pecuniary interest in keeping up the fairs,
led to the downfall of the society. 1t was
asserted by many that, our county being
about 70 miles in length and only from
to IL miles wide, it was impossible to get
up successful fairs in Rock Island. But
this reason is not good one-not good
now, at least, from the fact that the fair is
now open to all, no matter in what county
or state they may reside. Those who, of
late years, have seen the great crowds, of
people going to the Davenport fairs, from
this and adjoining counties, need no argu-
ment to convince them that if Rock Island,
Henry and Mercer county people can go to
Davenport, they certainly can attend fair
in Rock Island-especially when our steam
boat facilities are equal to Davenport, and
our railroad facilities greatly superior to
that place.
We believe the principal cause of the fail
ure of the old society was to be found in the
manner it was organized; though other rea-
sons had something to do with it.
In order to avoid what is believed to have
been the chief cause of failure, number of
wealthy and enterprizing men in this city,
Moline, and other towns in the county, have
organized an entirely new association, based
on the principle of a property-interest in the
grounds, buildings, track, &C., &c, and
taken upon themselves all the risk of loss,
asking no contributions from any one and,
of course, sharing in the profits, if any, &C.
cording to the amount of stock owned by
each. This plan has proven eminentlv sue
cessful in other places, and We see no reason
why it should not be successful here, il
rightly managed. The officers of the society
are the principal stockholders they have a
personal and pecuniary interest in its sue.
cess, and will devote their best energies to
making it popular and prosperous business
enterprise.
They have purchased 35 acres of charm.
ing ground, situated about mile south OF
the court house, on the Camden road, and
have expended large amount of money in
improving the same, erecting buildings, and
preparing every needed convenience for the
comfort and accommodation of the public
No location could be procured, within a
mile of the court house, of equal natural
beauty, and the stockholders have spared
no pains or expense in preparing it for the
object designed. A tight and secure fence
feet high, encloses the ground, leaving a
recess, outside the main entrance, for the
erection of ticket office, and for standing
this apo. uil he Arraated octagon ticket
office, IL feet in diameter, with sufficient
number of openings to speedily accommodate
the anxious crowd of people who may be
ready with their''stamps." This viii be sur.
mounted with a flag staff, from which the
stars and stripes will gladden. the eyes of all
who visit the fair.
At the main entrance a keepers house
20 by 80, two stories high, has been erected
containing large rooms, and good cellar
A garden will be attached to the house, 70,
the use of the family residing there.
As we enter the grounds, the first and
greatest object of attraction will be the large
Floral Hall, the contract for building which
has been let to Gray, Chopper & Co. This
is to be situated on the rising ground Oh the
south side of the square. 1t will be an oc'
tagon building, 8s feet in diameter, one
story high, surmounted by gallery and
observatory, above which, 20 feet from the
ground, win float the flag of our country
From the observatory, at the top of Flora
Hall, will be presented grand panoramic
view of the Mississippi and Rock River Val
leys, and Rock Island and Davenport-prob
ably one of the finest views for miles around
The interior of this octagon will be finish
ed with pyramid of shelves, around tn
centre pole, rising from a wide base to ,
high point, and upon which viii be displayed
fruits and flowers. Around this will be
wide promenade, on the outside of which
will be large rooms, or divisions, for the dis
play of the products of the farm, the garden
the factory, and the shop. Here we hope t.
see q profusion of everything useful ant
beautiful, the growth of the fields, the or
chards, the gardens, the green houses, ant
all the pro ducts of the household and tn
mandatory, which should grace the fair.
The next object of attraction viii be tn,
great Ampitheatre, for spectators of tn,
horse exhibition. This building is 3O4 fee
IN length and 26 feet in width has 10 tier
of seats, rising one above the other, and
covered passage way, of feet, in rear o
the seats. The entrance is from the rear, b,
a wide stair case, in the centre of the build
ing. 1t is estimated that this building will
seat from 1900 to 1000 people, all having |
| perfect view of the entire track in front.