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Rushville, IN 46173,
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Description
Rush County Fair - History and Background
In 1851 a group of men interested in agriculture organized and held the first fair. The first site was close to where the lower cemetery is located on South Jackson Street. W. S. Hall was Grand Marshal. There were no horse races but many fine cattle and horses were shown in the ring. The principal attraction was a buffalo brought in by Pierce Guffin who live near Mauzy.
A second fair was held near the site of the old B and O Depot and the present Havens School. In 1852 a Rush County Agricultural Association was formed. I was reorganized in 1853 and at the suggestion of the Republican Company the directors sold stock. On May 23, 1856, the Association purchased 11 acres for land from Joseph Lakin for $950.00. The first fair was held at this site in 1857 two miles east of Rushville on Highway 44.
David Wilson was in charge of the first fair and 2,000 people thronged the Rush County Fair grounds the first day. Entries in the various divisions numbered in the thousands. The fair of 1863, during the Civil War, was the first in which Rush County Agricultural Society went out of debt and has a surplus of $300.00.
The premium list published in the Rushville Republican June 27, 1866, for the 10th annual fair, to be held Sept. 11, 12, 13, 14, listed the cost of a single ticket at $.25, annual member family tickets at $1.50, horse and buggy $.40, and man and a horse $.35. The flower division ad 17 classifications with a cash prize given winners in each class.
The big attraction was running and pacing horse races in the afternoons. The ring between the hills at the Fair
The Rush County Fair Grounds was used for exhibiting and judging premium stock. Cattle, dairy and beef cattle of different breeds, draft horses, light harness horses, farm teams, Shetland ponies were featured in a parade at on P.M. For years, William Alexander acted as ring marshal. He would ride back and forth between the barn and the grandstand calling out names of show animals in the parade and awarding blue ribbons.
For years the C.H. and D. railroad ran a shuttle train to the Fair Grounds. The trains would take on passengers at Fourth and Main Streets and puff slowly out to the Fair Grounds. Later the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Traction Co. ran interurban cars to the Rush County Fair Grounds. The Railroad Ran its last train in 1908. A small bridge near the Rush County Fair Grounds operated for a number of years as a toll bridge. Persons were charged $.02 for use of the bridge going out and $.02 coming in from the Rush County Fair grounds. Road 44 was as “dusty as a dirt race track.”
The business houses closed on Thursdays, the big day of the Fair, so employees could attend. For many years the local Post Office maintained a branch office on the grounds. The last Fair was held on the old Fair Grounds in 1917. Because of the War and because interest in horse racing has waned, the Fair was no longer profitable. The Rush County Fair grounds and buildings were sold at a sheriff’s sale.
After almost a decade without a Rush County Fair, a group of citizens in the fall of 1926 organized a Free Fair, with W. A. Alexander as president and Glen Foster, treasurer. In 1927, the Fair was held in Memorial Park. From 1931 until 1934, under the sponsorship of the Rush County 4-H Club Council, regular exhibits of the 4-H clubs were held in the Court House and on the streets of Rushville.
In 1935, under the sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce, a horse show was held and a full scale adult show of all classes of livestock. Th site was again moved to the Park. In 1939, the carnival and concessions were added and the exhibit of agricultural machinery.
In the fall of 1940, Mr. and Mrs. Ora Lower of Home purchased and deeded to the Rush County Agricultural Association 18.6 acres of land adjacent to the Memorial Park. In 1942, the Association erected two livestock buildings, each 40 by 144 feet to permit the showing of animals.
Since that time, the Rush County Fair (4-H Fair) has been an annual event. The Rush County Fair Board of Directors consists of farmers, breeders, and businessmen selected from the county according to their ability and interests. The officers of the Rush County Agricultural Association of 1972 are Wallace Wissing, president; John R. White, vice-president; Kenneth Brashaber, secretary; and Gail Abernathy, treasurer.
Rush County Fair - Today
Rush County Fair Raceway - The Rush County Agricultural Association is dedicated to serving our community by providing a valuable service. Our organization has been widely-recognized as the best of its kind. Our membership is comprised of farmers, business owners, factory workers, laborers, just to mention a few, with this variety of people our organization has been able to accomplish more, and have a larger impact upon our community.
We, at Rush County Fair welcome you with open arms. Please inquire today about how you can become a part of our membership. We are always looking for community-based volunteers as well. Volunteers aid the community in various ways. To learn more, stop by the fair office during fair week, or contact a director on the board.
Rush County Fair - Who We Are
The Rush County Agricultural Association is a not for profit organization comprised of volunteers who are committed to delivering a superior fair experience with top-notch grandstand offerings as well as a quality midway. We actively support community groups such as 4-H, FFA, Extension Homemakers and other service oriented agencies. We work to educate the public about the importance of agriculture in our community by promoting and encouraging agricultural groups to offer events and information displays.
In 1940, Mr. and Mrs. Ora T Lower gave the Rush County Agricultural Association 18.65 acres of land to be used for the Rush County Fair. The Rush County Fair board relies on funds from the fair, building rentals and donations in order to maintain the buildings and fairgrounds all year long.
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Visit www.rushcountyfairin.com for more information on Rush County Fair.
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