In 1870, still recovering from the Civil War, the first fair in Linn County was held. The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 had provoked border conflicts and some of the most brutal struggles took place in Linn County. With Missouri on the eastern boundary, Linn County was in the heart of "Bleeding Kansas." The War left many casualties but the pioneer spirit prevailed, and soon this rich agricultural region would yield bountiful harvests again. As a result of this, the Linn County Fair was started. As an event where friends and neighbors met to display the fruits of their labor. It remains one of the largest and best fairs in the state of Kansas.
The origin of the fair dates back to pre-Christian times when herders and merchants would come together at festivals to exhibit and sell their wares. During the sixteenth century in England, privately owned marketplaces in the cities largely replaced fairs and livestock markets. In America, some fairs became so large that they assigned certain days for classes of entry, generally providing nightly games and entertainment. The farming regions of the Midwest regarded fairs as the social event of the year.
The farmers of Elm Grove in Linn County Set out to have an organized fair. In 1870 and 1871, the Elm Creek Farmers' Club held annual fairs during October in Scott Township, presently known as Cadmus. They had livestock exhibits which could have competed proudly with the best at the Kansas City Exposition. There was hardly a person in the county who would not lend assistance to such an organization, or benefit from it. In 1872, it became the first fair in the county to offer premiums, until that time participants had to attend the Kansas and Missouri fair in Ft. Scott for that kind of competition. Under pressure from county residents the Elm Creek Club incorporated and became the Linn County Agricultural Society. On November 2nd, 1872, they elected officers: President, J.J. Shinkle; Secretary, J.C. Proctor and A.G. Sailor; Treasurer, J.W. Payne; Directors, M.E. Woodard, J.J. Shinkle and Z. Leasure.
 The site for the first Linn County Agricultural Society Fair in October in 1873 was Farlinville, Kansas. When the failure of a leading investment bank brought on the "Panic of 1873", a depression in the United States that lasted four years, the Agricultural Society did not slow down. A.E. Drigs and W.L. Silsby provided a race track south of Farlinville. Displays of produce filled the newly erected tents and livestock filled the grounds, featuring the finest Shorthorn cattle and Berkshire hogs in the land. One of the most important exhibits of the fair was specimens of lead ore taken from various locations in the county. Other events included carriage horse shows and equestrian events by the ladies who were in attendance, and foot races for the young men. One surprise entry in the races was a young black man. Several white men who entered the race refused to run against him. He easily took the lead perhaps revealing their true motives for not welcoming him into the competition, but the young black did not win the race. Before coming down the home stretch, he turned around and ran backwards. Until the others passed him, giving away the first prize and adding a bit of humility to the winner's ribbon. The first exhibitions' success in Farlinville inspired the society to make greater efforts for the 1874 fair.
The proposal of LaCygne Kansas citizens in 1874 encouraged the directors to hold the second annual Fair in their town A meeting of interested citizens planned to lease thirty acres on the north edge of town. Before opening day, the acreage had been cleared, fenced and a splendid half-mile race track was completed, making it one of the finer exhibition spots in the Midwest Despite the combined efforts of cinch bugs, grasshoppers and drought the fair proved to be very successful The usual displays of livestock, produce and sewing gave the crowd d plenty to see A yoke of buffalo shown by Josh Shaefer of Middle Creek added a bit of novelty to the fair. The area equipment dealers demonstrated the newest technology in implements, made to ease the labor of everyday farming.
The Linn County fairs took on many changes in 1875. The Agricultural Society in LaCygne purchased the land they formerly leased and built a Floral hall in the form of a Greek cross, along with other various buildings. Baseball added more excitement to the festivities along with baby contests and horse racing. Toward the end of 1875 the Lion County Agricultural and Mechanical Association incorporated purchasing sixty acres of land near Mound City. With J.F. Broadhead as president they sold shares to raise capital for land buildings and an amphitheater. These two agricultural societies exhibited Linn County's desire for progress in the agricultural areas.
In 1876 the people of Linn County could attend two excellent fairs. One in LaCygne under the authority of the Agricultural Society and the other in Mound City sponsored by the Agricultural and Mechanical Association. The one in LaCygne was listed as the Linn County Fair. On October the 4th. 5th and 6th. Later in the month, the First Annual Fair of the Linn County Agricultural and Mechanical Association began at Mound City. Many people attended both fairs to see the hundreds of entries from farmers merchants and housewives of the local communities. The competition between the two organizations benefited fairgoers, as each tried to create a larger and more spectacular event. The organization both held fairs over the next few years. From 1884-1889 the Pleasanton Kansas Fair Association sponsored their own fair. During these six years Linn County offered three different fairs for people to enjoy and attendance records show that most people in the area attended each of them.
In 1905, the Linn County Fair Association replaced the Agricultural and Mechanical Association. A.H. Mantey purchased the fairgrounds and leased it to the Fair Association each year. The Fair Board then built a one race track and grandstand. The 1906 fair offered some of the most spectacular events yet, complete with balloon ascensions and boat rides. There were thrills for everyone. Over the next few years, the fair reflected Linn County's prosperity. Starting with the Grange picnic and Coach Colt Show in 1907, Blue Mound conducted a main street fair for about the next thirty years, Even though all three towns still held Pairs the one in Mound City grew to daily crowds of 6000 people.
During World War I county fairs often demonstrated patriotic themes in support of the troops overseas. After the War Linn Countians enjoyed a bit of prosperity until the stock market crash of 1929. This put the United States in a depression that would last ten years, and leave thousands of Americans unemployed. Despite economic hardship the fairs continued during the early thirties featuring harness races and professional wrestling for everyone to enjoy along with the regular agriculture exhibits. At a meeting of in August of 1936, the directors decided to cancel the fair in Mound City. Because of the continued dry weather, the board believed attendance would be small and agricultural exhibits not very significant. The fair was held at LaCygne in 1936. Even though many displays showed the effects of dry weather, it was a great success for the young people of Linn County. In 1937, a complete fair and stock show began in LaCygne under the sponsorship of the A.T.A an organization joining the Agricultural Society in 1913. The installation of lights let everyone beat the heat and still enjoy the horse show and races after dark.
In 1938 the Linn County Fair Association voted to once again conduct a fair at Mound City. After canceling the event at that location for the last two years, the fair board decided on a rodeo for entertainment A parade passed down the main street of Mound City using "Settlement Days" as a theme. The parade featured horses, covered wagons and Pete Data's Cowboy Band. The financial situation of many people kept them from the fair but the addition of the rodeo did help attendance in the afternoons.
Both fairs continued until 1940 when the Linn County Fair Association merged with the fair at LaCygne. The primary motive of the fair was promoting agriculture and the livestock industry. The combined efforts provided improvements in every area, encouraging the 4-H and vocational students in the county to do their best.
World War II had an impact on the fair During the war, many things were in short supply, People used ration coupons for items such as fuel, sugar, tires and shoes. Many items were contributed to the war effort such as scrap metal, clothing and tires creating a recycling trend much like today's. In 1943, the Fair Board did not lease the grounds from Mr. Mantey. Instead they decided to hold the fair across Sugar Creek near the Mound City water plant. It was advertised in the paper as the 4-H Fair and Crop Show, Sept. l-3. At the suggestion of Dr. L.D., Mills, county health officer the fair was canceled that year due to increasing cases of infantile paralysis. In 1944, while most people were using their efforts to fight the war on the home front, the fair was canceled once again. The Fair Board, not wanting to slow the efforts of the young people, decided to hold a 4-H show. Since they had not secured a lease for the fairgrounds that year, it was held on the main street of Mound City. Under the management of Carl Teagarden, crops and clothing were displayed in businesses and the livestock were kept in Peatman's used car lot. |
