Evening star., 1950-11-12

y
tional Fair Grounds at Ivy City
could be reached only by the
Washington branch of the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad. unless one
did not mind getting mired in
the mud. But today where the
old race track once stood we will
find residences instead Of an en-
thusiastic audience, such as at
tended these annual affairs while
the fair grounds were in opera
ton.
Few Of the present generation
know that we really did have in
the District a creditable fair
grounds and that considerable in
terest was taken in them, espe-
cially by the merchants Of the
city, who displayed their goods.
AS long as the enthusiasm lasted,
the venture was a success, but
as this waned and laws were
enacted against bookmaking in
the District,( the fair grounds
proposition suffered accordingly
The movement for this early
place Of amusement took place
in the early part of 1879. though
the opening day of the buildings
and grounds did not take place
until October % of that year.
Big Parade for Opening
The plans for the opening In
cluded one Of the largest parades
on Pennsylvania avenue. with
Frank Hume as chief marshall,
assisted by A. w. Kelly. James E.
Bangs was deputy to the chief, and
Col. P. H. Allabach was special
aid. while the following well known
men of that period served as as
sistant marshals: T. F. Browning
w. r. Spear, William O'Neil, John
Knox, r. Beresford, w. H. Yerkes,
j. P. D. Phelps, Col. B. L. Black
ford, A. H. Stevenson, M. r. God
dard, Arthur Cropley, James
Young. c. Heurich, G. Juenemann.
Robert Young, George F. Timmus,
H. H. Clapp, w. D. Wyvill and A,
Mari.
Following these came the full
Marine Band of 48 pieces. then
carriages containing the managers
Of the association, including Alli-
son Nailor and others. Mr.
Nailor, one Of Washington's prin:
cipal livery-stable keepers, fur
nished the carriages for the prin-
cipal officers, each drawn by four
of his best horses with outriders
The Police Department cleared
the way, and the fire commits
sioner was there in his fine turn
out followed by the Fire Depart
ment. headed by Donch's Band
and then came what we perhaps
shall never see again-a process.
sion of brewers. For there were ir
Washington at that time 13 brew.
ers of lager beer.
Francis j. Adt, who had hi
plant on the Navy Yard. led of
with a decorated wagon display
ing kegs of beer. Robert Portner
who had his main headquarter!
on Virginia avenue S.W., between
Sixth and Seventh streets, came
next, his wagon having on it 6
large beer vat, on the top Of which
was a representation of King
Gambrinus. holding in his hand 6
glass of lager. .--'
Another noted dispenser o1
LIQUID refreshments of 10 year.
ago was George Juenemann. whit
had his Mount Vernon Lager Bee!
Brewery and Pleasure Gardel
on the block bounded by Fourth
and Fifth and E and F street
NE. In Juenemann's wagon wa
a monster vate. Christian Heur
ich, then a well-known brewer
went his competitors one better
having in line altogether six bee
wagons, from which glasses of tn
fluid were handed to the thirst,
spectators along the route.
Grounds Had Many Building.
The Committee on Arrange
mentS on Fine and Domestic Arts
included Thomas Wilson. w. w
Corcoran, George w. Riggs, Georg,
F. Edmunds, Vermont; Mrs. G. F
Edmunds, Vermont; Mrs. Enocf
Totten, Mrs. Curtis j. Hillyer, Mis-
Evarts, Miss Riggs. Miss Harlan
Miss Mary Waite, DR.. George
Reuhling, Maryland: Miss Henry
Mrs. Lander, Mrs. Samuel Shella'
barger, Mrs. H. H. Blackburn, Mis-.
Calista Halsey, Mrs. w. T. Sher.
man, Mrs. S. L. Phelps, Miss
Casparis, Mrs. Crosby S. Noyes
Judge Walter S. Cox. DR.. Peter
Parker, Mrs. j. D. Martin ano
Mrs. E. E. Briggs.
The fair grounds were q short