Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1916-09-19
Attains Splendid Proportions in
Comparatively Short Time.
FIRST HELD FIVE YEARS AGO
IN PUBLIC STREETS.
Spacious Grounds and Buildings the
Result of Efforts on Part Of
Dallas Citizens.

Approaching the fact that fai
would prove an invaluable lnstltu
tion to the agriculturist, the horticul
turist, the stockraiser, the dairyman
and others who have to do with farm
ing operations within Polk county, {
number of public spirited citizens II
1912 conceived the idea of perfect
ing an organization of this charae-
ter, first presenting the matter to the
Dallas Commercial club for its en-
dorsement and support, which was
readily forthcoming Under the man
agement Of Ed. jacobson, Ell. l.. Fen
ton, W. A. Ayers and W. V. Fuller,
the Commercial club undertook to f.
nance the first exhibit, which was held
on the courthouse lawn with crudely
arranged booths for the displays. The
exhibits were collected by Mrs. Wolf
Of Falls City, and although numeri-
cally small as compared with those
of today they proved decidedly inter
esting to the many visitors, who had
not previously realized what was be-
ing accomplished by the inhabitants
of the rural realm. Following the
holding of this initial exhibit, the
better part Of the display was taken
to the state fair at Salem and made
a very creditable showing among
those of other counties of Oregon.
The pronounced success of Polk IS
first county fair prompted move
ment toward the formation of a per-
manent organization, and in June of
the following year the Polk County
Fair association was created and in
corporated under the laws of the
state, Fl. L. Fenton, being president;
H. II, Belt, secretary; J. F. Ulrieh,
c. c. Gardner, C. L. Hawley, W. A.
Ayers, P. 0. Powell, John Simkins,
Henry Voth and E. V. D. Paul, di-
rectors. The county court appointed
fair board, as provided by the
statutes where state aid is expected, |
that board consisting Of Charles A.
Park, W. w. Percival and W. V. Ful-
Ter. The second fair was held within
the armory building and in the street
adjoining, and was an improvement
over its predecessor in point of ex-
hibits and attendance. Farmers of
the county appeared to take a more
active interest in the event, many
feeling that through comparison Of
crops, and the manner of their rails
ing, was worth while. They foresaw
that from an educational standpoint
a bigger and better county fair would
prove advantageous to all concerned,
and they willingly contributed their
mite to its further success.
In 1914 the undertaking had as
sumed such splendid proportions that
it was deemed advisable to secure
permanent grounds on which to hold
the fair, and the erection of build
lngs for the housing of the exhibits
Dallas, the seat of justice and the
center of population, presented itself
rs the logical home for this institution
Dut the association did not possess
sufficient financial resources to pro-
sure a site, and to relieve the situa-
ion the question of purchasing
grounds was presented to the people, =
Who voted $4,000 for the purpose. Q
While the city of Dallas owns the site a
where the annual exhibit is held, the b
rec use of it is given the association t
o long as it maintains fair. Hav- q
ng been successful in securing a site, C
he association proceeded to erect e
avilion 60x150 feet, the Commercial Il
lub again coming to its assistance in o
be way of financing the project to a
he extent of loan of $500. a
The "third annual fair" excelled
revious attempts in this direction,
lie showings made by the several de-
artments receiving many favorable 9.
from visiting experts. In u
yet so attractive was the general o'
yricultural display that the manage o
ent was induced to take it to the as
ate fair and enter it in competition u
ith others of the state, where it re- -
lived second premium and much N
'aise from the thousands of critical ue
ectators. The industrial school ex- do
bit, always an important feature 80
the county fair, also was awarded Gu
cond prize at the state fair. OS
Enthused anew by the success
aimed in its first venture in exploit
: the agricultural resources of Polk an
unity before the vast multitude of ho,
'itors at the Salem fair, the local M,
set about early in 1915 lar
carry of first honors, gathering ine
ON garden, field, and orchard the