Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-17
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY FAIR HISTORY

Back of the 18th annual county fair
of the Rock Island County Agricultural
association, held this week at Joslin,
there is history of more than usual
length and interest. Though not al
ways under the management of the
present association, this event, either
under the title of Joslin fair, or Coe
fair, is an institution Of 81 years stand
ing. Each succeeding year finds it an
event of increasing importance to
farmer, manufacturer, merchant and
the hundreds of people from the upper
countryside and twin-cities who at
tend.
In 1878 the Coe fair was begun and
was held annually with more or less
success until 1898, when the name was
changed to the Joslin fair, by which
name it became widely known. This
fair has never been of mushroom
growth, but, builded originally upon a
sound foundation, of necessity and de
STABILITY it has siren gthened year by
year.
AS a means Of bringing together in
friendly rivalry it is unsurpassed, and
each fair sees neighbors and strangers
pitted against each other In the en-
deavor to raise the biggest pumpkin or
the latest fowl. Not only this, but
the fair also causes to be placed on
exhibition the most improved farm i'm
plements of all sorts, thus allowing the
manufacturer to place before the pros
porous farms his best wares, and also
affording the farmers an opportunity
to learn much Of improved methods in
agriculture
Concentrated Energy
The Joslin fair is the only one of its
sort in the county, and thus there is no
diversion of energy; all the residents
of the country districts as well as hun
dreds from the cities look forward to
their annual reunion.
The social phase is not an inconsid-
cradle one at the fair, for many people
make it the occasion of reunions of
families or friends, thus combining bus
mess with more than a modicum of
pleasure. Thirty-five hundred to four
thousand people annually attend the
fair, and although this figure is not
centage of the people of the country
districts.
The Rock Island County Agricultural
association was organized in 1898. 1t
had a charter membership OF 40 men,
and its purpose was to hold fair and
exhibit annually. According to the con-
stitution. this exhibit was to consist of
farm products, such as vegetables,
grain, and live stock, and to encourage
domestic arts, such as the cooking of
cakes, pies, and other good things,
thrifty farmer.
Leased 30 Acres
No fair was held during the year of
organization, plans being made to hold
the first fair in 1894 A tract of ground
composed of 80 acres, and located
three-fourths of a mile from Joslin, was
leased from Elder Vanderburg for a
period of % years with privilege of
renewal.
Prior to the organization Of this as
ISOLATION fairs were held in Coe town
ship, the fair grounds being located
near Port Byron. Such gatherings
were held for score OF years and the
agricultural association was the final
outcome When the agricultural asso-
citation formed the Coe Township Fair
association adjourned sine die. A num-
Der Of the Coe association joined the
movement for the county organization.
Canoe Creek township fairs were
held at Hillsdale for a number of
years previous to 1893, but were aban-
doned. Members of the Canoe Creek
association, also, joined the county or
ganization at the time of it's incorpora-
ton
In 1894 the first county fair was held.
There was a premiere of 5000, the
larger portion of these oefng farmers.
Since that time the attendance mas
steadily increased, the records show