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Wisconsin State Fair
Source"The Milwaukee Sentinel, (Milwaukee, WI) Monday, September 17, 1894; pg. 4; col G
It was a Wandering Institution Until a Few Years Ago
The state fair has been a permanent fixture in Milwaukee only since 1886. From its establishment in 1851 to that year the story of the fair has been that of a homeless wanderer, going from town to town, prospering seldom and often indifferently. Inspection of the records in Secretary True's office at Madison shows that a meeting to organize the Agricultural society was held in the assembly chamber March 8, 1851, and attended by members of the legislature, citizens of Madison and of the state. Erastus W. Drury of Fond du Lac was the first President, Albert C. Ingham of Madison the recording secretary and Royal Buck of Madison corresponding secretary. The first state fair was held at Janesville two days, Oct. 1 and 2, 1851. There were 461 entries, all told, classified as follows:
Cattle, 52; horses, 68; sheep, 120; swine,20; farm implements, 48; dairy, 7; flour and cornmeal, 4; domestic manufactures, 14; ornamental needle work, 23; fruits, 40; flowers, 12; miscellaneous, 58.
The Fair grounds was an area of six acres, "which looks down upon the rapid and silvery Rock river," enclosed by a high board fence. "A large and lofty tent" was the main building for exhibits. It rained the first night, but cleared off before morning, so as not to interfere with feature of the big day, which was a plowing match with ten entries-two of oxen and rest of horses. This was pulled off in a field one-fourth mile from the grounds. One-fourth acre lots were marked off and J. Milton may of Janesville won the race, turning his allotted ground over in twenty-six minutes. Alexander & Alnalie were given first premium, though, for the best work, and May got second. The spectators present the last day were estimated at 7,000 to 10,000.
Henry M. Billings, vice-president, in reporting the next year, said: " the finances of the society are in a healthful condition, as will be seen by the balance of $85.45 now in the treasury." In the preference to the bound volume of the second year's proceedings Secretary Ingham says:"The present volume, it is hoped, will not be deemed unworth of its predecessor, nor yet of the more advanced age of the society. The two secretaries had been made one, Henry M. Billings of Highland was president and Simeon Mills of Madison treasurer. The life members' list was started with a dozen members, as follows:
E.W. Drury, Fond du Lac
Harvey Durkee, Kenosha
Andrew E. Elmore, Mukwonago
Erastus Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Leonard J. Farwell, Madison
Benjamin Ferguson, Fox Lake
martin Field, Mukwonago
Albert C. Ingham, Madison
Simeon Mills, Madison
Alexander Mitchell, Milwaukee
James H. Rogers, Milwaukee
Martin Webster, Fox Lake
The fair in 1852 was held at the "Cold Spring Race Course, in the immediate vicinity of the city of Milwaukee," Oct. 6 to 8, inclusive. The total receipts exhibited a gratifying increase," amounting to $2,748.45, and the balance was againa about $80. The military and fire apparatus of Milwaukee were upon the grounds for the big day, and again there was a plowing match, but no horse race. Heavy rains spoiled the public auction on the last day.
In 1853 the fair was at Watertown and was a success, financially considered. For the next three years the show was in Milwaukee and successful and in 1857 went back to Janesville, where story weather interfered with success.
In 1858 it was at Madison and in 1859 at Milwaukee. The latter year's proceedings include a picture of a trotting horse in sulky with driver and in 1860 there was a woman's riding race in opposition to ploughing match. The fair that year was at Madison, and the Executive committee in its report favored a permanent location, which was acted upon and Madison grounds secured, but next year the fair was not held there, owing to the occupation of the grounds by troops, and the society was financially embarrassed in consequence. No fair was held till 1864, when the society rallied despite the war and gave a successful exhibition, the report of Treasurer David Atwood owing a cash balance of $2,171.84. The years subsequent to the war were prosperous ones for the society. In 1865 the cash balance was over $3,000 and the society called for permanent offices in the capital. In 1866 the fair at Madison was a money winner, but the exhibits were authorized by the secretary. The show as better in 1867 and the B shaped mile track was declared a success, and in 1868 the most profitable show in the society's history up to that time was held at Madison.
In 1870 Oshkosh and Milwaukee competed for the fair and Milwaukee won. In 1871 the Executive committee wrangled over the question of whether horse races, etc., were innocent amusements, and it was all abolished for the time being. In that year the fair was held again in Milwaukee and the racing went on and the ploughing match farce" was heard of no more forever.
In 1872 the fair in Milwaukee was hurt by bad weather, but the exhibitions were continued there through 1873-74 and 75. Madison and Janesville making futile efforts to secure the show the latter year, and in 1877 the show went to Janesville. In 1878 it was back in Madison to remain several years.
In 1880 the question of the sale of intoxicants on the grounds caused discussion and all but beer was excluded. This question was a bone of contention for all the years after in some form up to the present time.
In 1881 Fond du Lac had the fair, which was a flat failure, owing to rains, and in 1882 at the same place with better showing. In 1883 it was again in Madison and remained there till it came to Milwaukee in 1886, where it has since remained.
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