Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-09-12
DALLAS STATE FAIR.
A Pen Picture Of the Grounds and
Buildings Of This New
Association.
Preparations for a Grand Opening In
October That VIII Re feet Credit
On the State.
An illustration OF what Can BIO Accom-.
pliahed In Few Months by Active,
Earnest, Piuoixy Business Men.

pIiAhsd In Few Months by Active,
Earnest, PIucky Business Men.
Yesterday a GAZETTE representative
devoted some hours TO survey of the
Dallas state Fair and Exposition grounds
and found them In every detail affordinp
matter OF interest as indicative Of wha,
may be looked for when the several com.
ponent parts OF the enterprise shall have
been worked together In one harmonious
whole. In spite Of the magnitude OF the
undertaking and the limited period be-
tween It's inception and the present time,
II Is rapidly nearing completion, and ere
long the energetic and pushing spirits
who have fostered and fnrthered IL may
| point with justi6able pride to an institu-
tion no longer mere matter Of talk and
conjecture, but as thing full-grown and
creditably complete In every detail.
After leaving Nam street pleasant
drive of half mule along Exposition ave-
nue., which Is the extension Of Elm and
Commerce streets, the three principal
thoroughfares of the city, brings the Wis
itor TO the entrance Of the grounds, where
he is admitted through pretty pavilion,
large enough 10 rapidly pass both We
hlcles aud foot passengers without crowd
ing. The purpose OF the association to
erect lasting structures with the design
Of making the institution permanent
one, is apparent In the inclosing fence,
which Is Of thick boards, nicely dressed
and capped and upheld by posts OF bols
dare. This fence covers about ten thou
sand feet In its circular sweep and Is be-
ing handsomely painted, which will add
not only to its neat appearance, but also
to its durability. Within this Enclosure
the grounds are tastefully laid off
and improved with about four
miles Of graveled walks and drives.
THE MILE TRACK.
Hemmed In by winding roadways and
serpentlue paths is the beautiful mile race
track, bnilt under the regulations of the
National Trotting association lin which
the Fair and Exposition ASSOCIATION holds
membership, and is said, by competent
judges and horsemen, not to have its
equal as "fast track" in the South. This
desirable result Is made possible by the
excellent lay of the ground and achieved
by peculiar system OF engineering,
which gives a down grade for nearly
three-fourths Of its length, the balance
being dead level, and all rendered fine
and impervious to water by top dress
ing Of sandy loan. The corners are
graded inward at such an angle that there
Is no loss Of speed in turning. The mean
width is fifty feet, increased to seventy
feet at the starting point In front OF
THE GRAND STAND,
located some distance to the right of the
exposition avenue entrance. This build
ing, so important to the comfort and con-
venience OF visitors, is so situated that
spectators will be protected from the
glare and reflection OF the afternoon sun,
and viii be able to witness the entire
race from start to home-stretch without
Inconvenience. The structure is modern
style, 50x250 feet In dimensions, with
"bodoc" foundations, two stories high,
and has seating capacity of 5000 to
10000, 1t has a close floor, Is furnished
with comfortable seats, the office, pool
rooms, etc, being underneath, so that
the general spectator will be spared the
noise and confusion incident to these de-
partmeDts. The judges stand, not yet
erected, will be across the track lmme-
diately In front of the grand stand,
octagonal In shape, and in the center of
an arena reserved for the exhibition Of
live stock.
| STUCK ACCOMMODATIONS.
The racing stables are ranged along
the fence TO the right of and near the
grand stand. They are each l2xl4 feet
In size, ceiled overhead, wainscotted on
inside, with tour-llght glass window In
every stall, and pronounced by old turf
men the best In the United States. The
cattle and other live stock stalls, on the
opposite side Of the grounds, are rapidly
rinu nd mill I'd ~.
accommodations for 500 head of stock,
250 stalls having already been engaged.
FOR OUR CITIZRN-soLDIRRY.
In the pretty grove occupying the space
between the racing and live stock stables
will be the military encampment. Here
the visiting and local militia will pitcf
their tents and go regularly into camp
during the progress of the fair, giyinl
many their first opportunity of witnessing
the details OF soldier life, albeit of the
holiday order.
MACHINERY HALL AND EXPOSITION BUILD
ING.
Machinery hall, to be located between
the grand stand and the Exposition ave
nue. entrance, will be built after latest
architectural designs, 15x300 feet In di
menslons. Hall the space In this build
Ing has already been taken, and applicn
tons for more are being filed daily
Spurred to action by the handsom,
premium offered for the most unique and
attractive building for exhibition pur
poses, several more structures for hold
ing machinery, ETC., win be erected by
outside exhibitors, the ground being do.
| mated by the association for that purpose
Over the space lying between the two
entrance gates piles OF lumber, stone
| brick and other crude material are scat
tered. the air Is filled with the sound OF
saw and hammer, and the broad sweep
ing arches for the majestic dome OF the
main exposition building already lift
themselves heavenward. This la DDS
ing structure, which will be finished D,
September Is, is 200xS00 feet In dimen.
sions, seventy, Ave feet from floor to arch
with towers ITO feet high at the corners
When completed It win compare favora
bly, with the main building of the Louis
vile exposition and will be credit rot
only to Texas but the entire Southwest
Divided into compartments, II will con
tain geological, horticultural, education
aud music hall, art galleries, ladies' de
partment, and IN fact every department
necessary 20 full and complete exposi
ton Of all classes OF wares and products
Numbers of exhibitors whose displays at
tracted at ention at New Orleans and else,
where have applied for space and will
. | Ill IL, Az