Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-08-30

would these expositions of improved
stock and agricultural products be
brought nearer the greatest number OF
people. Lack of transportation and
great expense made it difficult for
farmers to travel long distances. AS
the state grew and the means of travel
were increased, the fair was held in
some of the larger cities and trade
centers. A number of exhibitions were
held on the grounds in the suburbs of
Lansing, that being thought the proper
center for all the people, it being the
capital city. But in 1905, after a some
what extended but friendly contest the
society decided upon Detroit, the
metropolis of the state, as the place
for permanent location of the great
fair. A plat of nearly $50 acres lying
at the north of the city adjoining
Woodward avenue, the leading thor
oughfare of the city. was purchased,
and the work of preparing the rough
fields for an exposition park was be-
gun.
Fair of 1905.
When the dates for the 1905 fair
came about. the buildings were few
and incomplete. little had been accom-
plished in the way Of grading and beau
tifying the grounds though three fine
buildings had been erected and the
grand stand and mile track fitted for
the races. \ goodly part of the show
ing was in improvised structures and
in tents Nevertheless the exhibition
excelled those of other years, and the
attendance greatly outnumbered the
guesses of the widest and most opti-
mistic of prophets. Ii proved the wis
dom OF the men who had given rise to
the movement and had consummated
their plans in locating the society TO
give its annual fair upon permanent
grounds adjacent to the first city of
Michigan so readily reached by steam
railways, electric cars and by boat
from several sections of the state. This
patronage showed an appreciation by
the people of the city and state and
gave assurance that future efforts
would merit even greater interest by
exhibitors and far larger attendance.
Transformation.
But the State Fair grounds of to-
DAY are far different from those which
the visitors at previous exhibitions of
the Michigan State Agricultural So
clelN nave kUOWH. y UdknluCtul DdIh,
with it's acres of velvety green lawn,
with the many sweeping driveways
and walks, beds of Towering plants
and innumerable groups of foliage
plants and ornamental shrubbery has
seemingly lowing TO the few months
given TO preparatory sprung into be-
ing as IL from the hand of enchant-
ment. To get fair conception of this
az. a..
see it. and TO walk the ways of its
avenues under many beautiful elms,
and 10 devote hours in observation of
the fine buildings that grace the ex-
pansive beauty spot" Instead OF this
the writer would in fancy take you
with him from the heart of Michigan's
metropolis out Woodward avenue on
one of the modern rapid observation
trolley cars, passing through Grand
Circus Park. on past the hundreds of
attractive homes of leading citizens,
crossing the picturesque Grand Boule-
ward, with its miles of resplendent
loneliness. on in view of the fashion
able Boston Boulevard, out through
Highland Park village, touching de-
lghtful Palmer Park, within sight of
the famous Log Cabin for so many
years the pride OF Senator Thomas w.
Palmer, and in minute or two you
alight at the gates OF the society's ex-
hibition grounds that stretch away TO
the eastward presenting an unparal-
leled scene of beauty.
Arrangement Of Groups.
Entering at the west, one approaches
the stately Michigan Building that oc-
cupies a conspicuous place in the fore
ground. In this spacious structure one