Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-08-05
THE STATE FAIR.
A Circular Letter From Secretary
Shaffer to the Press Of the State.
Interesting Description orthe Grounds
Buildings and Preparation for
the Fair.

Dies MONIES, July, 1885, To the Editor
Recognizing the.power Of the press to dlssemiu-
ate information that the mass OF the general
public are Interested In, We take this occasion
to present you with the following items rela-
tive to the Iowa State Fair We respectfully
request that you publish, or give such notices
as you deem proper, that will interest your
people. This Society has now a permanent
home at capital Of State-Des Moines The
first far on the new grounds, which contain
2G6 acres of fine timber aud prairie lands, will
be held September 3, 4, 8, 0, z, s, . and TO-
Magnificent buildings have been erected to
meet the increasing demands Of exhibitors
Every arrangement has been made to meet the
wants and convenience Of all who come to
visit this gteat fair of the west A brief out
line Of these buildings may interest the read
er.
The main Exposition Hall 10 built In the
form Of Greek cross, beautiful In design, and
lighted with 1000 lights Of ground glass. The
| extreme lengths Of building are l66X23o feet I;
the four wings each u feet wide; height 10
feet; the towers O. feet In diameter; amount OF
floor space in the hall %, S84 feet. Agricultural
Hall is 62xl60 feet with side projections 81
feet wide; to top OF roof SS feet and tower "a
feet This building covers 10, 900 feet Of floor
space. Fruit and Floral Hall 10 50xll0f feet with
side and end projections OF Is feet To top Of
roof 40 feet, and Of tower Is feet. The building
is well lighted, a beauty In design, aud covers
$500 feet Of floor space. Dairy Hall is 40I16
feet, built on the most approved plan, with
power TO run machinery, cold storage room,
glass case for butter exhibit, that will be q
novel attraction TO all, offices, etc. Power
Hall is 64Il50 feet, substantially built, with
two lines Of shafting, and covers 1900 square
| feet OF floor space In addition 10 this II
lots with u frontage Of from 10 to 100 feet
| and 100 feet deep, have been engaged by
| private firms, on which TO erect buildings to
show their EXHIBITS of machinery, etc. The
| amphitheatre is 800 feet In length, two
| stories high; 20 tiers Of seats, with a seating
| capacity Of GOO people. 1t is built with
| reference to safety and comfort; there are
| five entrances and exits; its construction con
sumed over 10000 feet of lumber Poultry
/ house Is 36x6) feet, with capacity for 20(
coops There are ten horse barns, each 44x9t
feet, built In a semi-circle with exhibition ring
In the center. These will accommodate 800 head
Three speed horse barns 24xl0O feet. Ten
cattle barns, each S2x96 feet, capacity ~
head, and built on same plan as horse barns
| Ten hog barns each 22x06 feet, capacity 1,0ot
head, and built on same plan as horse ant
cattle barns. Three sheep barns, each 26x9t
feet, capacity 800 head. In addition to these
are numerous other buildings for the accom-.
] mediation of officers of the Society, visitors
and exhibitors.
The track, half mile, Is 70 feet wide on the
home stretch, ~ feet on the back with 90 feet
circular turns. Is heavily coated with black
sandy soil, and will make one OF the finest aud
| fastest tracks In the west There are 40 WE'LL
on the ground, and with the addition of 1
system OF water works built, there Is every as
surance that water will be plentiful. The pre-
MUM list has been much revised, aud the
| offerings largely exceed those OF any former
fair, classified as follows: Horses, 81, 1853
speed horses, $500: cattle, $3.50; swine
S1,234; sheep, S745; sweepstakes stocks
seventy silver medals; poultry, sS37; coal aud
stone, $50; grain, seed and vegetables, Sl.09l
pantry and kitchen, 800; butter and cheese
1921; fruits, 800; flowers s233; mechanical
and fine arts, $3,067. Sunday afternoon, d.
viue services upon the grounds. Monlay
morning, opening exercises OF the fair. Tues
day dedication of new grounds, In which
many prominent men OF the State will take
part. This day has also been set apart for the
tlmc-honored custom OF Soldiers Day. Fri
day, the day for all children un der ID years,
admitted free. Chariot races and speed
trials each afternoon Of the Fair, commencing
Monday. Fine camping grounds for those who
wish to bring their tents and enjoy camping
life. No charge for space TO pitch your tents
Iowa railways will carry passengers for ons
fare the round trip-in other words half rates
Freight, full rate going to fair, returned fire.
on certificate of Secretary. Arrangements will
be made at private residences In the city for en-
tertainlng both visitors and exhibitors, assur
ing those who come pleasant quarters at reas
enable prices. Three grand avenues lead to tn
grounds. A depot GOD feet long is built for tn
comfort and accomod alton OF those who c. m,
by rail- Stock and machinery coming by raj
can be unloadcd at the grounds, for which am
pie provisions are made. Everything is belnl
done by the management to make the Iowi
State Fair Grounds the finest and best ant
not to be excelled by any. A cordial invita-
ton is extended TO all to come and sec thi
grand exhibition, to see the finest stock tina
can be produced on this continent, and 1t 4
hoped that your coming will result In season
of pleasure aud profit. For premium list
and information, address John r. Shatfer
| ~