Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-07-22
STATE FAIR GROUNDS.
some OF the Buiidings and Improve
ments Being Made.


The grounds are situated about three miles
east OF the Dss Moines River Al the present
time therc are three main approaches to thu
grounds from the city Of Dcs Moines, the frs,
Grand Avenue, continuation OF Sycamore
street. the second Walnut street aud
another Just south OF Walnut street The
hrst two are all graded and several new
bridges have been built the entire width OF
the streets. Grand Avenue Is 100 feet Ia
width, with a side, walk being laid tho entire
distance, while Walnut street is 50 feet WIDE
The other streets leading to tho grounds will
be opened aud graded before fair time
On entering the grounds the first group OF
buildings is that OF tho hors, barns i'm
mediataiy TO tho right Of the main entrance.
These are ten In number each 4Sx96 feet, ar
ranged in the form OF q semi-clrclc, we'll light
cd and ventilated and having rom for 80
horses. Following along to the right come
the cattle and hog sheds, each 70 feeI " ie by
% In length, North OF these aud at the .eft OF
the main entrance is the Amphltheatre, built
VITA reference to capacity, safety and con
vonlence, Its length is 80 feet, height 40
feet, aud capable OF comfortably seating 5000
people, The two stories make all the seats
desirable
Arrangements have been made for finishing
aud furnishing seventeen booths underneath
tbs ampithcater The grade on the half-mile
track has been finished, except rolling which
VIII not o done until the track is thoroughly
soaked by rain. TIE judges stand and the
baud stand, % and 20 feet from the track, arc
nearly completed,
Tao buildings mentioned and the track arc
all situated on what was the mea low OF
the old farm and extending from the amphi
thcater rising with gentle slope Is q hill,
upon which are situated the buildings deyot-
ed to exhibits, the main exposition buildings,
the agricultural building aud floral hall The
Dimensions o. the agricultural building, which
Is completed are length l6) feet, width %
with au ay,rage height OF "a feet. Leading
from the south entrance Of this floral hall,
will DO rustic bridge over a winding drive.
way. The bridge will be 80 or 100 feet long
and probably fifteen feet from the ground be-
meath.
Floral hail Is situated south aud east OF the
main building. When Its scatroldng Is re-
moved there will be u space 6Oxl0o fest, with
out post or other obstruction giving u most
admirable opportunity for an extensive noral
disylay. While special care has been taken
to make all the buildings adapted TO their pur-
poses the main exposition ball naturally at
tracts more attention than the Others on ac-
count OF Its location aud sis. Built on the
brow Of the hill with u foundation about so
feet higher than the plain below Il can be
seen for miles around aud attracts universal
attention from travellers on passing trains, To
one standing near II, thesra Is presented a
similar view to that seen from the capitol
building except that the one looks upon a
bustlng city, while the other upon an extend
cd plain with farm houses scattered here and
there and the city In the distance. The buildi
ing measures lG3 feet east and west, 30 feet
north and south aud 100 feet In height, with
tower "a feet In diameter. Surrounding tho
dome Is flagstaff 80 feet IN length. This
building is lighted with ground glass, the mum
Der Of lights being about 1000. There 10 u
general feeling that this same kind OF glass
should have been put In the other buildings,
but from spirit OF economy 1t was thought
best to use the ordinary glass. These three,
the Exposition, Agricultural and Floral Halls,
situated In the midst OF n grove, each build.
ing on a knoll separated from the other by a
rayInc, form striking group and will attract
very general attention.
Four drive wells will b, sunk south OF tho
amphitheater and from these wells steam en-
CINE will force the water 10 large tank placsd
on the hill. Leading from this tank will be
water mains g inccs In diameter, conducting
the water to all parts Of the ground. 0no
well has elroady been sunk aud at depth OF
"a feet he SIlcr rose 7 feet IL IL the inten-
ton TO supply the amphitheatcr and building
on the level direct from the engine, but cut
of will be arranged from the tank To use In
case OF emergency This insures meyer fall
ing and abundant supply Of pure water upon
which depends the success OF the fair. A
twenty -four horse power engine will supply the
power for Machlneri Hall, and already seven.
teen baldlngs have been arranged for by
private firms In which 20 place their exhibits.
North OF the track and opposite the stand will
I C placed the barn for the speed horses.