Published: August 16, 2008 07:11 pm            

HISTORICAL TREASURE: Terre Haute hosted State Fair in 1867

TERRE HAUTE — For Hoosiers, the Indiana State Fair is one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated events. For Terre Haute residents, the Indiana State Fair of Oct. 1-5, 1867, was especially significant, because the city hosted the event, for the first and only time the fair has been conducted away from Indianapolis.

The Vigo County Agricultural Society made elaborate preparations for what was described as “the greatest fair ever held.” Board fencing went up around the 70-acre fairgrounds (now the site of Memorial Stadium.) Planning provided for a generous supply of fresh water, lockers in which visitors could store picnic baskets and other valuables and train and electric car transportation to and from the fair.

The “Terre Haute Daily Express” of Oct. 1, 1867, described the large halls constructed to showcase fine arts and music, fruits and flowers, farm machinery, domestic wares, farm products and carriage manufacturers. Hundreds of the state’s best horses, cattle, sheep and hogs filled the stalls.

Although the fair emphasized Indiana’s agricultural achievements, fair-goers could enjoy fireworks displays, a concert by the band of the 24th Indiana Regiment and harness racing on the half-mile track.

Fortunately, memorable images of Terre Haute’s historic week have been preserved for future generations to enjoy. The famous Terre Haute artist James F. Gookins (1840-1904) captured the spirit of the great 1867 State Fair in his two-page illustration, “Among the Hoosiers,” that appeared in the Nov. 27, 1867, “Harper’s Weekly.”

The late Vigo County historian Dorothy Clark wrote that Gookins was commissioned by the publication to draw sketches of the fair. The centerpiece of his illustration was the grandstand filled with people watching harness racing. Grouped around it were smaller sketches that told the story of the fair. Sir Robert Alexander, the champion bull, and the winning race horse, Billy Barr, are immortalized. Other scenes show cattle judging and fair-goers entering the Power Hall and Floral Hall. A scene depicting unkempt individuals awaiting admission to a sideshow is titled “The Hoosier by Repute,” the artist’s response to “Harper’s Weekly’s” previous unflattering caricature of Hoosiers. By contrast, the sketch labeled “Real Live Hoosiers” portrays attractive and well-dressed Terre Haute residents.

Gookins’ illustration includes smaller sketches of familiar landmarks including Fort Harrison, the Chauncey Rose well and bathhouse, the old State Normal School, St. Agnes Hall, Colonel Richard Thompson’s home Spring Hill and the Gookins family residence, Strawberry Hill.

A reproduction of the Gookins illustration was recently donated to the Vigo County Historical Museum by Drs. Harry and Jan Keffer. On display in the “Fun at the Fair” exhibit, it celebrates Terre Haute’s Indiana State Fair of 1867.

        

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