About Us: Monroe County Fairgrounds History
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You may be surprised to learn that the first annual Monroe County Fair was held over one hundred fifty years ago. Perhaps even more surprising is the fact that the Fair didn't have a permanent location until one hundred years later! As a result, the Fair has had a long and interesting, nomadic history.
October 10th - 11th, 1855: First Annual Monroe County Fair, hosted by the Monroe County Agricultural Society
1861- 1867: Monroe County Fair suspended, due to the American Civil War
1868 - early 1880s: Monroe County Fair resumed annually, held in "Dunn Meadow" on the Indiana University campus
Early 1890s: Monroe County Fair moved and held at the current Duke Energy site, near West 2nd and Walker Streets, and held in brick buildings
Early 1900s/1910s: Monroe County Fair moved and held at the corner of Vernal and Curry Pike
People took the Monon train to get to the Fair
Late 1920s - early 1930s: Monroe County Fair moved and held around the Courthouse Square, with 4-H projects housed in the public library
Mid-1930s: Monroe County Fair becomes only 4-H projects, due to the Courthouse Square space being unavailable
Projects moved and exhibited in the old high school gym at the corner of West 2nd Street and College Avenue
Late 1930s - 1940: 4-H projects moved and exhibited at the Ellettsville Fall Festival
Early 1940s: 4-H projects moved back to the old high school gym at the corner of West 2nd Street and College Avenue
1946 - 1955: Bloomington Chamber of Commerce began a ten-year sponsorship of the Monroe County 4-H Clubs by providing a site for the Fair (the Indiana University Field house, located at East 7th Street), and funds for premiums (winning to accompany the ribbons for best entries)
From the August 13, 1946 edition of the Indiana Daily Student:
"In June of that year, Athletics Director Zora Clevenger was particularly unhappy with the IU football practice fields being used for livestock exhibits. He said, 'First, the danger to the boys playing on those fields; they might become infected with tetanus.
Secondly, we do not want our fields torn up in any way immediately before the opening of fall practice.'"
His statements made little impact, and two months later, the August 13, 1946 Indiana Daily Student described the IU Fieldhouse: “Walls have been made festive with orange curtains, and along the north wall, there is a stage for vaudeville acts and a 4-H Club style show. East of the Fieldhouse tents have been erected for the display of livestock and poultry. Displays will include automobiles, farm machinery, plumbing, furniture, jewelry, and groceries by local retail merchants and industries. There will be open class displays of canning and needlework…There will be several refreshment concession stands. Over 800 4-H Club members from Monroe County will contribute to the exhibitions.”
1954: Bloomington Chamber of Commerce announces it can no longer sponsor the Fair
1955: Monroe County Fair Association formed and the current property acquired; Fair held on current site ever since
Due to the fiscal responsibility of the The Monroe County Fair Board, there has been expansions almost every year, including the purchase of more than fifty acres of land adjacent to the present fairgrounds to allow for further expansion in the years to come. Through donations, a tax levy for a number of years, advertising during the fair, renting the building and grounds during the off season, and admission to the various fair-sponsored events, the Monroe County Fair appears to be in good health, and ready to face another hundred years.
October 10th - 11th, 1855: First Annual Monroe County Fair, hosted by the Monroe County Agricultural Society
1861- 1867: Monroe County Fair suspended, due to the American Civil War
1868 - early 1880s: Monroe County Fair resumed annually, held in "Dunn Meadow" on the Indiana University campus
Early 1890s: Monroe County Fair moved and held at the current Duke Energy site, near West 2nd and Walker Streets, and held in brick buildings
Early 1900s/1910s: Monroe County Fair moved and held at the corner of Vernal and Curry Pike
People took the Monon train to get to the Fair
Late 1920s - early 1930s: Monroe County Fair moved and held around the Courthouse Square, with 4-H projects housed in the public library
Mid-1930s: Monroe County Fair becomes only 4-H projects, due to the Courthouse Square space being unavailable
Projects moved and exhibited in the old high school gym at the corner of West 2nd Street and College Avenue
Late 1930s - 1940: 4-H projects moved and exhibited at the Ellettsville Fall Festival
Early 1940s: 4-H projects moved back to the old high school gym at the corner of West 2nd Street and College Avenue
1946 - 1955: Bloomington Chamber of Commerce began a ten-year sponsorship of the Monroe County 4-H Clubs by providing a site for the Fair (the Indiana University Field house, located at East 7th Street), and funds for premiums (winning to accompany the ribbons for best entries)
From the August 13, 1946 edition of the Indiana Daily Student:
"In June of that year, Athletics Director Zora Clevenger was particularly unhappy with the IU football practice fields being used for livestock exhibits. He said, 'First, the danger to the boys playing on those fields; they might become infected with tetanus.
Secondly, we do not want our fields torn up in any way immediately before the opening of fall practice.'"
His statements made little impact, and two months later, the August 13, 1946 Indiana Daily Student described the IU Fieldhouse: “Walls have been made festive with orange curtains, and along the north wall, there is a stage for vaudeville acts and a 4-H Club style show. East of the Fieldhouse tents have been erected for the display of livestock and poultry. Displays will include automobiles, farm machinery, plumbing, furniture, jewelry, and groceries by local retail merchants and industries. There will be open class displays of canning and needlework…There will be several refreshment concession stands. Over 800 4-H Club members from Monroe County will contribute to the exhibitions.”
1954: Bloomington Chamber of Commerce announces it can no longer sponsor the Fair
1955: Monroe County Fair Association formed and the current property acquired; Fair held on current site ever since
Due to the fiscal responsibility of the The Monroe County Fair Board, there has been expansions almost every year, including the purchase of more than fifty acres of land adjacent to the present fairgrounds to allow for further expansion in the years to come. Through donations, a tax levy for a number of years, advertising during the fair, renting the building and grounds during the off season, and admission to the various fair-sponsored events, the Monroe County Fair appears to be in good health, and ready to face another hundred years.
