The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1903-07-10
AIR
GROUNDS
ARE THOSE OF THE WEST vIRGIHIA
EAfR AsSocIATr0N. THOUSANDS
or DOLLARS EXPENDED.
Race Tfack pronounced one q, Tho Finest
to BE Found Anywhere.-Au Nod
en- ccuyeniences Are Being
Installed.


A trip TO the grounds of che West vir-
& ginia Fair association Is well worth the
time and trouble. There are some won
derfnl things to see out there and those
who have mot seen them will be amazed
a. the changes which have been wrought
By the association. It was the pleasure
of one of the members of the Telegram
staR to be kindly driven out by Benja-
min Brown Stout Wednesday afternoon
to the grounds and pleasant surprise
10 behold the improvements and the ef-
fort to make the best fair grounds in the
state. In the effort the association has
already succeeded admirably.
Some months ago the association pur-
chased 80 81 acres of the Thomas c.
White farm just east of the city for the
purpose of converting it into fair
grounds. The association went to work
ut once to do this and the work Is now
well under way, although a great amount
remains yet TO be done.
Approaching the grounds is noticed
splendid improvement to the public high
way. The thirty-foot street has been
widened to sixty feet, and runs with
that width almost to the point for the
gates, where 1t drop to fifty feet and
runs considerable distance and then
goes back to sixty feet. This improve
ment extends the entire distance of the
front of the grounds and makes fine
road not only for fair purposes, but for
public use as well. There was consid-
cradle expenditure in doing this, as
large fill had to .be made.
What has been laid off for the enclos-
ure outside of the truck has been graded,
filed and leveled very much, but the
work has not been completed, but win
be at an early date. Then it will be
sodded and transformed into hand
some meadow or lawn. The front en-
closure win contain the big grand stand,
with floral hall likely underneath It. To
the right from the main entrance TO the
grounds will be located the cabtle, sheep
They win be along Nutter's run empty
ing into Elk creek. Machinery hall will
be located in that section.
In the rear of the race track are To-
Gated fifty fine horse stalls, in sections of
ten. The location makes them conyen-
tent to the track and one may watch
horses in the stalls and at the same time
zee the races. These stalls were con-
structed at cost of $500. They are l2
by 10 feet on the interior and, therefore.
very spacious. There is also a nine-foot
shed along all of them. Horsemen say
they are the best stalls for the purpose
they ever saw. The plans and specifca-
lions were drawn by B. B. Stout. A spec
ial feature of the stalls is the joint shin
gle roof. The shingles are cedar and
mere manufactured in Seattle. Washing
ton, and shipped direct here.
The track Is the regulation one-haif
mile and so constructed that horses feet
can be seen from any point around the
track. The drainage is perfect, the bed
OF the track being higher than the ground
around 1t. 1t has a bed of loan about
two feet thick and clay especially
adapted for track purposes. These were
found ON the ground and came in handy
and to good purpose. The truck will
have picket fence around it. The in
side fence Is also Substantial. The track
Is pronounced one of the best in the
country and horsemen are very much
pleased with it.
The infeld contains about II acres and
will be made perfectly level, considera-
BILE grading being necessary to put it
in that condition. Then it Will be sowed
in rye and timothy. the intention being
to NOW It early next year and get it in
shape for driving. 1t has the making
of a very desirable driving place and
viii prove itself very popular.
Beyond the fair grounds proper is
knoll and rolling lind containing in all
eight acres. From, this knoll every part
of the ground can be seen. The associa.
tion will plant 1000 trees there this fall,
and hope to have within year or two
the finest park in West Virginia.
The association has looked carefully
after good supply of fresh wster for
drinking and other purposes. There are
several fine springs on the grounds which
have been preserved and will have supply
attachments. There are also nine good
wells ON the grounds. which will be used.
In addition to these the association will
inaugurate water works, having leased
IN acre and half of ground from Gran
vile Kester some distance from the
grounds. This ground is the top of one
of the hills out there and is around n
very fne mountain spring, ono that never
goes dry and which has a flow strong all
summer. A reservoir will be built at
this spring and pipes viii be run to it
from the fair grounds. The descent of
the water win be 200 feet and, therefore,
good strong pressure will be secured.
In this connection a pipe win be strung
on the fence all the way around the
track and arrangements made for hose