Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1871-06-30
Farmers Column.
Live thoughts on Agricultural Mat
kpgs solicited. ....
iowa state Fair Grounds.

A Cedar Rapids correspondent o
the Chicago Journal, writes regard
ing the State Fair grounds: "Three
hundred and sixty-five thousand feel
of lumber and thirty car loads o.
building stone IL takes TO fence In the
grounds and prepare the buildings
for the exhibition of Iowa's products
for the year 1871. This Is largely In
excess of that ever needed before, but
our rapid growth and the prospects
of being permitted to welcome. as
exhibitors, our friends from neigh
boring States, has made 1t necessary
to greatly enlarge upon former
grounds and buildings.
"The Fair grounds at Cedar Rapids
embrace ffty~five acres. and lie on
the north eastern part of the city,
adjoining its limits. The location Is
said by those who ought to know to
be the best in which any Of our Fairs
have ever been held. Instead OF an
open prairie without tree or shrub, IL
is q beautiful, undulating piece of
ground, thickly dotted with oak and
walnut; traversed OH two of its sides
by a winding stream, and as delight.
full place to spend an hour as one
need seek for. Thanks to the COM
pany who are improving 1t, 1t is to
remain for many years to come, and
perhaps forever, park for the pleas
ure and profit of the citizens, to most
of whom 1t will be more highly val>
ued than all other advantages com.
bined, which our city affords. AS
has been stated before In the Journal,
. joint stock company, called the
Agricultural Association of Central
Iowa." control the grounds and erect
the buildings, and If their intentions
are fully carried out, we shall have
in time place of resort such as few
Western towns of our size enjoy.
"Work Is going forward very rap.
idly in all portions of the grounds
The fence, eight feet In height, Is al
ready erected, and some of the build
ing up. The stalls for cattle and
horses -450 in cumberland the 200
pens for hogs, are completed, and the
coming weeks labor will be conn
menced ON the fine art and other
halls. Each building has under 1t q
good foundation of masonary, and IL
to be made Of flooring, and painted q
neat buff color, with dark trimmings,
while the stalls and fence will be
whitewashed. The halls fer exhibi.
ton will be the fine art, In the form
OF Greek cross. the size of each
wing being 40x14O. The fruit and
floral, of same shape, 32x132; vege-
table and poultry stores, 32x132, also
Of same form. The hall for machin-
cry, will be fitted up with pulleys
shafting for the use of the exhibition.
The buildings at present erected are
ticket offices, Secretary's office, com.
mittee rooms, police headquarters
and ladies' saloon, but It is expected
that by the middle of the coming
month all will be in readiness for the
fair. Seven wells are to be dug In
different parts of the ground, three
Of which are completed and In run.
ing order, furnishing the most spark
ling water one could wish for. .
"The race course is finished and al.
ready taken possession of by trotting
men from all parts Of the State, who
have congregated thus soon to the
number OF thirteen with horses,
which will be increased to seventeen
by Tuesday next. They occupy the
stalls on the ground, aud wi II prac.
tice till the fair In Septembs next.
Forty mechanics are constantly
engaged under the general direction
of Mr.. w. FL. Wells, of this city, and
those who prophesied failure on the
part of Cedar Rapids, IL they could
hear the busy saws and hammers of
these busy workmen and see the piles
of lumber daily worked up, would be
ready to lay all doubts aside and
come to the conclusion that the Iowa
State Fair for 1871 was to be held In
Cedar Rapids"