How old is the Clinton County Fair you might ask? According to the Clinton County Historical Society, the first Frankfort Fair was held on Thursday, October 6, 1853, at Armstrong’s Center Grove located at 600 South Main Street. This first fair was in direct competition with a traveling version of the Indiana State Fair which was held on the same date in Lafayette.
Now, we fast forward 170 years to what is actually going on with today’s Historical Society.
Clinton County Fairgrounds Historical Society President Skip Davis said they have made contact with Tommy Kleckner, who works with the state on many historical sites throughout Indiana, via the phone on two separate occasion in the past two years. Davis added he would like to take the old Administration Building on the northwest of the Clinton County Fairgrounds and possibly turn it into a museum for the fair.
Asked how are things coming on the building, Davis replied, “We’re just beginning. We’ve got working on this for almost three years. Probably, the biggest thing we’re trying to develop is resources. Couple of things I’ve been thinking about, and I think we can work with, is finding some people who are willing to work from home and do some typing.”
On January 4, 1872, the Middle Fork Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society, which was comprised of the counties of Clinton, Howard and Carroll, conducted fairs for several years. In 1879, it took an act of the Indiana State Legislature to make it legal for the Clinton County Commissioners to purchase the original 48 acres located at 1701 South Jackson. In 1881, the Middle Fork organization dissolved.
In December of 1900, an objection was raised because two organizations, horsemen and agriculturalists, wished to have events during the same time period of 1901 at the Frankfort fair. One official felt the county’s action effectively “killed the coming fair”. They eventually came up with a plan by which both organizations could have success. The plan worked so well the same plan was set up in 1902. An estimated crowd of 10,000 people attended one day of the fair which had previously been in question.
In 1909, the new Administration Building, located at the northwest entrance to the fairgrounds, was opened to the public where it stands today.
What does Davis want to do with the building?
“We haven’t had a thorough discussion on that yet,” said Davis.”
Davis was also asked what he would like to have it the building?
“Again, we don’t have an answer,” said Davis. “We’re still in the beginning stages of this.”
Davis also admitted that the financial prowess of the Historical Board is limited what basically means grants and, perhaps donations, are the answers.
Davis added the building itself is in pretty good shape, despite a problem with the arches on the northeast corner because “of what they used to fix it”.
Davis said the building needs to have tuckpointing down on the outside and fix the arches. Davis added they want to fix the outside of the building first before doing anything inside.
“I’m approaching the age where I’m thinking somebody else take this over,” said Davis. “I’ve got some ideas on who to lean on to try and get this thing done. But, unless I can find the right people who are willing to do what is necessary. It doesn’t have to be done today. We’ve got 175 years of history here.”
Many of these things are on display during an open house held from 5:30-8 p.m. tonight and Friday night at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.