Morris tribune., 1885-09-02
Minnesota State Agricultural Society

The history of this excellent organl-
cation is full of interest, running as it
does from the earliest days of the ter
ritory. The society was founded in
1855 as a territorial society, and in
1860 it was incorporated under its
present name. This year it holds its
twenty-seventh annual fair; festivals
having been omitted three years dur
ing the civil war. The society has eX-
perienced many ups and downs, some
years having grand success and at
other seasons barely paying the ex-
penses. During the life ofthe organi-
cation it has tioated about from the
center to the southern part of the
state, now meeting with reverses and
again achieving grand triumphs. The
first fairs were held at Fort Smelling
and they were smaller than many of
the county fairs of the present time.
Other state fairs have been held at
st. Paul, Minneapolis, Rochester,
Winona and Owatonna.
1t had long been the desire of those
most interested in an organization of
this character to obtain some perma-
nent location, but it was not until the
fall of 1884 that anything entirely
satisfactory was offered. Then the
tender of the Ramsey county poor
farm, situated just outside Of the Inn
it's of st. Paul and exactly midway
between st. Paul and Minneapolis,
seemed to solve the problem, and the
beautiful tract of two hundred acres
was accepted. The Legislature of 1885
appropriated 100000 for improving
the grounds and erecting buildings,
and the Agricultural Society is now
fixed forever on one of the most at
tractive spots of which it is possible
to conceive. The grounds, which are
2,425 feet east and west, and 1925 feet
north and south, are rolling and per-
fectly drained, and afford the best OPP
portunity for identifying. .s-s~
The officers of the society have most
judlciously invested the fund devoted
to the purpose, and the grounds of the
| society are now such as must crafty
the pride of every citizen. The poor
farm buildin-, which is a solid brick
structure, two stories in height, is
used as the headquarters ofthe society.
The main building is 306X242 feet and
is the form of a cross. 1t is very orna-
mental, being of brick and glass, and
is surmounted by massive dome.
Machinery Hall is 12sx64 feet, cores
pondlng in style to the main building.
Dairy Hall is 4SxS0 feet, and an Art
Gallery of the same dimensions will
be built next year. There are four
cattle barns 145x69 feet, and four
horse barns of the same size, all loca-
ted along broad avenue. Six stables
for fast horses, placed near the new
track, are each 72x24 feet, and each
have fourteen box stalls. Buildings
for hogs, sheep and poultry are con-
veniently situated and are very large.
For agricultural implements three
buildings, each 54x20O feet, have been
erected.
The grand amphitheatre is 592x 65
feet and will seat $1,000 people. 1t has
six hundred reserved seats and ninety
six private boxes. The new track is
without peer in the United States.
It is expected that very fast time will
be made on it this season.
The management are preparing an
exhibition that will in many particu-
lars excel all previous ones. They of
fer $4,000 i'm premiums and $4,000
in prizes for speed trials. The stock
display will be immense, and one
grand and novel feature will be pub
lie auction of fine horses and cattle,
which will be held ON the three last
days of the fair under the manage
ment of Capt. p. G. Kidd, the famous
stock auctioneer of Lexington, Ky.
A host of attractive novelties have
been arranged for, and vast crowds
will undoubtedly visit the festival to
inspect the splendid new property in
which they are owners. The grounds
are OIL the line of the st. Paul. Min
neapolis and Manitoba Railway,
twelve minutes ride from each city.
The railroads throughout the north
west make very low rates during the
Fair, and the whole population, men,
women and children should come to
be instructed and entertained.
!