One Hundred Sixty-Five Years of County Fairs In Montgomery County, Tennessee
Research work by Dr. Paul Hyatt, Miss Marie Riggins and Mr. Ralph Winters (1960 edition)
and Jim Long (2024 update)
Assembled by Thurston L. Lee, August 1960
Published 1960 under the auspices of The Montgomery County Historical Society
The Fair
The agricultural fair is deeply rooted and well ingrained in the best of American tradition and culture. Such fairs as held in the United States, are peculiarly American in character, though they are similar to the old market fairs of Asia and Europe that date back at least to Old Testament Bible times. Such market fairs were also held by the Inca Indians of Peru. The word fair is derived from the Latin feria, meaning festival.
American fairs are predominantly agricultural, and their most continuous purpose is to encourage the development of better agricultural, commercial, and household products for home use and trade. Slightly secondary but very important objectives are to provide educational, social, recreational, and entertainment activities for the people. These fairs and their purposes have also most often included the people and commercial goods of the towns and villages that serve as agricultural trade centers.
Agricultural fairs in the U. S. date from the first local fair in New Haven, Connecticut in 1644. County fairs in Montgomery County, Tennessee date from 1860.
The 1860 Fair
In the year of 1859 a number of prominent citizens of northwest Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky began a project to provide a good agricultural fair for Montgomery County and the surrounding area. An assembly of persons interested in such an undertaking was called for the 1st Monday in November of that year to meet at the Montgomery County court house. At that meeting a plan was devised in which a stock company was organized. The company was called the Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Society and its purposes were to raise funds and develop a full scale agricultural and mechanical fair. At subsequent meetings during early 1860 organization reports indicated that these purposes were being carried out on schedule.
The Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Society was led by some of the more prominent and farsighted citizens of the whole area. In the early meetings of the group C. L. Wilcox presided as temporary Chairman. R. W. Humphreys, F. S. Beaumont, and G. A. Harrell were very active in the planning sessions. In the February 1860 meeting M. Merriwether was elected but declined to serve as President, and Thomas Ogburn was duly elected. Other officers were elected as follows: W. W. Pepper, Vice President; Samuel Brockman, Treasurer and Thomas King, Secretary. The 14 Directors were: Dr. N. L. Thomas, George Stacker, H. H. Hollister, R. W. Humphreys, Dr. J. H. Marable, E. G. Sebree, Ike H. Skelly, J. W. Kendall, W. L. Hiter, George J. McCauley, C. E. Merriwether, H. M. Dudley, James C. Johnson and John D. Tyler. Messrs. Quarles, King and Brockman comprised a committee on by-laws.
As the planning for the 1860 fair progressed various officer changes were made. By July, 1860 G. H. Warfield had become President of the Society.
A very significant problem in planning the fair was the location and acquisition of an adequate fair grounds. At the February 1860 meeting a Locations committee was chosen consisting of H. H. Hollister (Stewart County), E. G. Sebree (Todd County), W. W. Pepper (Robertson County), H. M. Dudley and Col. M. G. Gholson (Montgomery County). After much deliberation and the consideration of many sites the fairgrounds were established May 16, 1860 on the Marr farm located 3 miles northeast of Clarksville between the M. C. & L. Railroad and the old Russellville Turnpike. (In 1960, the location was part of the W. W. Riggins farm on the old Russellville pike. By 2024, the area had long-been developed as residential subdivisions.)
Research work by Dr. Paul Hyatt, Miss Marie Riggins and Mr. Ralph Winters (1960 edition)
and Jim Long (2024 update)
Assembled by Thurston L. Lee, August 1960
Published 1960 under the auspices of The Montgomery County Historical Society
The Fair
The agricultural fair is deeply rooted and well ingrained in the best of American tradition and culture. Such fairs as held in the United States, are peculiarly American in character, though they are similar to the old market fairs of Asia and Europe that date back at least to Old Testament Bible times. Such market fairs were also held by the Inca Indians of Peru. The word fair is derived from the Latin feria, meaning festival.
American fairs are predominantly agricultural, and their most continuous purpose is to encourage the development of better agricultural, commercial, and household products for home use and trade. Slightly secondary but very important objectives are to provide educational, social, recreational, and entertainment activities for the people. These fairs and their purposes have also most often included the people and commercial goods of the towns and villages that serve as agricultural trade centers.
Agricultural fairs in the U. S. date from the first local fair in New Haven, Connecticut in 1644. County fairs in Montgomery County, Tennessee date from 1860.
The 1860 Fair
In the year of 1859 a number of prominent citizens of northwest Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky began a project to provide a good agricultural fair for Montgomery County and the surrounding area. An assembly of persons interested in such an undertaking was called for the 1st Monday in November of that year to meet at the Montgomery County court house. At that meeting a plan was devised in which a stock company was organized. The company was called the Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Society and its purposes were to raise funds and develop a full scale agricultural and mechanical fair. At subsequent meetings during early 1860 organization reports indicated that these purposes were being carried out on schedule.
The Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Society was led by some of the more prominent and farsighted citizens of the whole area. In the early meetings of the group C. L. Wilcox presided as temporary Chairman. R. W. Humphreys, F. S. Beaumont, and G. A. Harrell were very active in the planning sessions. In the February 1860 meeting M. Merriwether was elected but declined to serve as President, and Thomas Ogburn was duly elected. Other officers were elected as follows: W. W. Pepper, Vice President; Samuel Brockman, Treasurer and Thomas King, Secretary. The 14 Directors were: Dr. N. L. Thomas, George Stacker, H. H. Hollister, R. W. Humphreys, Dr. J. H. Marable, E. G. Sebree, Ike H. Skelly, J. W. Kendall, W. L. Hiter, George J. McCauley, C. E. Merriwether, H. M. Dudley, James C. Johnson and John D. Tyler. Messrs. Quarles, King and Brockman comprised a committee on by-laws.
As the planning for the 1860 fair progressed various officer changes were made. By July, 1860 G. H. Warfield had become President of the Society.
A very significant problem in planning the fair was the location and acquisition of an adequate fair grounds. At the February 1860 meeting a Locations committee was chosen consisting of H. H. Hollister (Stewart County), E. G. Sebree (Todd County), W. W. Pepper (Robertson County), H. M. Dudley and Col. M. G. Gholson (Montgomery County). After much deliberation and the consideration of many sites the fairgrounds were established May 16, 1860 on the Marr farm located 3 miles northeast of Clarksville between the M. C. & L. Railroad and the old Russellville Turnpike. (In 1960, the location was part of the W. W. Riggins farm on the old Russellville pike. By 2024, the area had long-been developed as residential subdivisions.)
portion of 1865 Map of Middle Tennessee, showing the Fair Ground location between the railroad (in red) and the Russellville turnpike
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portion of the 1877 Beers county map showing the Fair Ground still located between the railroad and the Russellville pike
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This fairgrounds site consisted of about 43 acres of land, 30 of which were enclosed with a 9-foot board fence. Ticket offices were provided at both the turnpike and railroad entrances. It was provided with an amphitheater which had 9 tiers of seats capable of seating 4000 people with space for 3000 more. The show ring occupying the inner space was 200 feet in diameter, and from its center rose the judges’ stand which was 3 stories high with a flag staff rising from its center. One story of this stand was for the use of musical groups. The 1860 fair had the services of Fenton's Nashville Band. Two 600-barrel cisterns were dug to provide water for the fair.
There was a half-mile speed ring outside of the amphitheater for faster contests. The arrangements for the care of stock exhibited at the fair consisted of 100 large stalls already erected and provisions made for the speedy erection of as many more as may be needed. The stalls were 8 feet wide, 11
feet high, and 9 feet deep.
All these grounds and facilities involved considerable financial outlay. The 40-odd-acre plot was purchased for $4,225, which was paid to Mr. Marr as follows: $1,500 cash, $1,500 to be paid one year later, and $1,225 in stock in the Society. Before the 1860 fair $21,000 had been expended for grounds and facilities plus $2,800 reserved for fair premiums.
A typical example of the vigorous promotion given this 1860 fair is this poem, much publicized and given wide distribution prior to the fair, entitled “Come to the Fair”
There was a half-mile speed ring outside of the amphitheater for faster contests. The arrangements for the care of stock exhibited at the fair consisted of 100 large stalls already erected and provisions made for the speedy erection of as many more as may be needed. The stalls were 8 feet wide, 11
feet high, and 9 feet deep.
All these grounds and facilities involved considerable financial outlay. The 40-odd-acre plot was purchased for $4,225, which was paid to Mr. Marr as follows: $1,500 cash, $1,500 to be paid one year later, and $1,225 in stock in the Society. Before the 1860 fair $21,000 had been expended for grounds and facilities plus $2,800 reserved for fair premiums.
A typical example of the vigorous promotion given this 1860 fair is this poem, much publicized and given wide distribution prior to the fair, entitled “Come to the Fair”
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Oh, come to the Fair,
Whoever you are, And bring something with you, whatever be best. Come one, come all, And roll on the ball, From the North and South, from the East to the West. Bring your horses and kine, Your sheep and your swine, Your fowls are blood, and your Shanghais to boot; And whatever you do, Bring your fast trotters, too, The crowded track’s chances to take and dispute. Bring fruits and wine, Bring ores from the mine --- The wealth the world yields both above and below; Bring the peach, blushing meek, Like the rose on the cheek, Of the fair ones who’ll come and not think of a beau! Bring your needle-work, girls, Right along with your curls; Your basques, and your bonnets, your sleeves & your capes; And bring, curiously wrought, And with mystery fraught, Those queer looking garments of various shapes. Let the matrons, too, come, (Though they seldom leave home,) With their counterpanes fine, and their bedquilts so rare; With work of all kinds, Which their careful hands finds So much pleasure in doing -- let them come to the Fair. Ye mechanics well skilled, Let your place be well filled, With all manner of work, in neat order displayed; Let the grounds, too, attest, That you’ve all done your best; And the country will be proud of the progress you’ve made. Oh! ye farmers attend! Of all classes the friend: For if your work should fail, we would “fare” not at all, Bring the fruits of your toil, The rich cream of the soil, In its varied forms to the Farmer's own hall. So come to the Fair, There'll be good music there, And hospitality's welcome will greet you, dare say, The latch string hangs out, And our people no doubt, Will be happy to see you on each coming day. |
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Transportation to the fair was provided by the M. C. & L. Railroad passenger service which established a convenient schedule of transportation between Clarksville and the fairgrounds with the fare .10¢ per passenger. The toll turnpike reduced its rates to half the usual price for the duration of the fair. The omnibus passenger service provided transportation from downtown Clarksville to the Bradley's railroad station (now the site of the L & N Depot on 10th St.) for .35¢. Many fairgoers provided their own conveyance.
The 1860 fair was vigorously executed. Monk & Company was engaged to provide provender for the fairgoers. This included all kinds of food and refreshments served in most convenient locations on the fairgrounds.
The attendance at the fair ranged from 3500 to 8500 per day and receipts ranged from $5000 to 6000 per day. It was reported that many people came from 40 or more miles away. H. H. Skiles, editor of the Bowling Green Gazette, was part of the visiting press.
An interesting editorial in the Clarksville Jeffersonian of October 24, 1860 gave pointed and humorous advice to fairgoers:
In addition to the gigantic regular premium list, special premiums were offered by T. D. Leonard, the Marshall of the Montgomery County Fair, on the 4th day of fair- $100 saddle to the best rider. On the 5th day $150 harness to the best driver. (Mr. Leonard was described elsewhere as a “shrewd, efficient and exceedingly loud voiced and successful auctioneer”; those who have anything to sell upon the grounds will find him No. 1 in his business.) B. W. Herring & Company made a very splendid single harness to be exhibited and offered a premium of $20 to anyone who shows one which is judged finer and of better workmanship.
The best example of what the 1860 Montgomery County Fair was really like can be derived from a study of the general premium list and their winners which follows:
The 1860 fair was vigorously executed. Monk & Company was engaged to provide provender for the fairgoers. This included all kinds of food and refreshments served in most convenient locations on the fairgrounds.
The attendance at the fair ranged from 3500 to 8500 per day and receipts ranged from $5000 to 6000 per day. It was reported that many people came from 40 or more miles away. H. H. Skiles, editor of the Bowling Green Gazette, was part of the visiting press.
An interesting editorial in the Clarksville Jeffersonian of October 24, 1860 gave pointed and humorous advice to fairgoers:
- Don’t carry more than 30 cents along with you, for fear Monk’s good things will tempt you to squander it.
- Don’t crowd the ladies and the rest of the fine stock, you might get kicked.
- Don’t carry your infant offspring, the Directors have secured the services of an excellent band from Nashville and are opposed to any “private bugleing” of all sorts.
In addition to the gigantic regular premium list, special premiums were offered by T. D. Leonard, the Marshall of the Montgomery County Fair, on the 4th day of fair- $100 saddle to the best rider. On the 5th day $150 harness to the best driver. (Mr. Leonard was described elsewhere as a “shrewd, efficient and exceedingly loud voiced and successful auctioneer”; those who have anything to sell upon the grounds will find him No. 1 in his business.) B. W. Herring & Company made a very splendid single harness to be exhibited and offered a premium of $20 to anyone who shows one which is judged finer and of better workmanship.
The best example of what the 1860 Montgomery County Fair was really like can be derived from a study of the general premium list and their winners which follows:
1st Day
Fruits, Flowers, etc.
Best bu. Apples, M. C. Johnson $5.00
Best bu. Peaches, CM. M. Grant 5.00
Best display Fruits, Mrs. H. M. Dudley 5.00
Flowers- Best Bouquet, Miss Mary Shackleford 5.00
Best Native Wine, Mrs. H. M. Dudley 20.00
W. M. Drane 10.00
Mrs. R. D. Dudley 5.00
Vegetables and Farm Products
Best bu. Wheat, W. L. Hiter 5.00
Best bu. Corn, George Stacker 5.00
Best 10 gal. Cider, James C. Johnson 2.00
Best bu. Clean Blue Grass Seed, Harelson & Co. 5.00
Fine Wool, J. M. Beall 5.00
Middle Wool, B. K. Tully 5.00
Long Wool, T. J. Munford 5.00
Cheese, A. G. Wilcox Certificate
Butter, Mrs. H. M. Dudley 5.00
Raw Ham, Mrs. G. H. Warfield 2.00
Cooked Ham, Mrs. G. H. Warfield 2.00
Rusks, Mrs. Watson 1.00
Tea Rusks, Mrs. Shackleford 1.00
Best Cake, Miss Florence Johnson 1.00
Italian Grass Seed, A. G. Wilcox 1.00
Best Cordial, Mrs. Lewis Garth 1.00
Best Lard, Mrs. A. M. Kimbro 1.00
Pickled Asparagus, Mrs. Mary Johnson 2.00
Cigars-Homemade, H. M. Dudley 5.00
Brandy Fruits, H. M. Dudley 2.00
Citron, Mrs. T. W. King 2.00
Domestic Manufacture
All Wool pair Blankets, B. K. Tully 10.00
Worsted Hose, Miss Bobbie Killebrew 2.00
25 yards Homemade Carpet, B. K. Tully 10.00
Homemade Hearth Rug, Mrs. Mary Petters 5.00
Cotton Hose, Mrs. M. Kease 2.00
Cotton Half-Hose, Mrs. M. Kease 1.00
Homemade Skirt, Miss V. M. Ivey 5.00
Artificial Flowers, Mrs. M. Monks 5.00
Homemade Bonnet, Miss Maguire and Mrs. Hodgson 5.00
Best Suit Cloth Clothes, McCollock & Plamen Agents 5.00
Best Overcoat, McCollock & Plamen Agents 5.00
Quilt, Miss Mary Boyd 10.00
Best Silk Embroidery, Miss Mary Boyd 5.00
Best Cotton Embroidery, Mrs. Dr. Whittington 5.00
Best Worsted Embroidery, Miss Sallie O'Neal 5.00
Best Silk or Velvet Quilt, Miss Duff (Russellville) 10.00
Leatherwork, Mrs. Dr. Whittington (Kentucky) 5.00
Satin Vest, Mrs. J. C. Crozier 5.00
Best Homemade Suit Jeans (Cashmere), Mrs. A. G. Wilcox 5.00
Needle work by lady over 75 years, Mrs. Nancy Brown 5.00
Needlework, Miss Wheeler (Princeton, Ky.) 5.00
Cashmere Half-hose, Mrs. B. K. Tully 1.00
Penmanship by Girl, Miss Bullen (Louisville, Ky.) 1.00
Homemade Sewing Silk, Mrs. Dr. Whittington 1.00
Glass Painting, Miss Beech (Williamson County) 2.00
Wax Work, Mrs. J. C. Crozier 2.00
Homemade Candles, Miss Mary Wilcox 1.00
Bead Work, Mrs. J. M. Kendall 2.00
Crewel Work, Mrs. J. M. Kendall 2.00
Machine Embroidery (Moore’s Machine), John S. Lay 1.00
Hair Work, Mrs. J. C. Crozier 2.00
Fly Brush, B. K. Tully 1.00
Saddle Horses
Best Saddle Stallion, R. C. Kickerson (Todd County) 10.00
Best Gelding, J. Rice Oldham (Montgomery County) 20.00
Best Horsemanship, J. S. Parish (Christian County) 10.00
Best Colt by Stacker's Young Black Hawk, Woods, Lewis & Company 25.00
Hugh Drane Certificate
Complimentary Blue Ribbon awarded to Young Black Hawk, sire of competing colts
2nd Day
Cattle - Indistinct Breeds
Best Bull-2 yrs., P. E. Herndon (Logan County, Durham Cattle) 10.00
Best Cow-aged, P. E. Herndon, Devon Cattle 10.00
Best Bull, C. N. Merriwether (Todd County), Milch Cows 10.00
Best Cow, P. E. Herndon, Fat Cattle 20.00
D. G. Bratton 10.00
Draft Horses
Best Stallion, 4 yrs. and over, S. O. Rutherford, (Logan County) 20.00
Best 1 yr. old, R. C. Dickerson Certificate
Sweepstakes
Best Stallion, S. O. Rutherford 10.00
Best Mare, J. R. McKinney 10.00
Poultry
Best Sweepstakes, J. T. Nolen 5.00
Tobacco on Stalk
Manufacturing Quality, N. B. Dudley 25.00
Best Stemming Leaf, J. A. Johnson 25.00
Goats
Best Exhibition Cashmere 10.00
3rd Day
Blooded Horses
Best Stallion, 4 yrs & over, C. N. Merriwether 75.00
Best Stallion, 3 yrs, D. C. Herndon 30.00
Best Stallion, 2 yrs, W. G. Harding 15.00
Blooded Mares
Best Brood Mare, 4 yrs & Over, W. G. Harding (Davidson Co.) 40.00
Sweepstakes
Best Blooded Horse or Colt, J. W. Malone 25.00
Best Mare or Filly, W. G. Harding 25.00
Jacks and Jennets
Best Jack, 3 yrs & over, B. K. Tully (Logan Co.) 20.00
Best Jack, 3 yrs, George Marr (Montgomery Co.) 15.00
Mules
Best Aged Mule, E. Bacon (Trigg Co.) 15.00
Trotting in Harness
Fastest Trotting Horse, Mare, or Gelding, James T. Cummens 25.00
4th Day
Swine
Best Aged Boar, G. W. Gill (Logan Co.) 10.00
Best Sow, Wiley Taylor, Jr. (Todd Co.) 10.00
Sheep
Best Long Wool Buck, any Breed, Dr. David King (Logan Co.) 10.00
Best Long Wool Ewe, T. J. Munford (Montgomery Co.) 10.00
Agricultural Implements
Best 4 Horse Wagon, Johnson, Garth & Co. 10.00
Best 2 Horse Wagon, Edward Brame (Lafayette, Ky.) 10.00
Best Apple Mill and Press, Munn & Company 10.00
Best Boots, John Rick 5.00
Plumbing, H. A. Cooper 5.00
Best Horse Shoes, Johnson, Garth & Co. 2.00
Best Shod Horse, Johnson, Garth & Co. 2.00
Best Man's Saddle, B. W. Herring & Co. 5.00
Best Woman's Saddle, John Young & Co. 5.00
Best Portrait Painting, D. Adamson 5.00
Best Picture by Light, W. J. MacCormac 5.00
Best Landscape, A. J. Allensworth 5.00
Best Top Buggy, S. Brockman & Co. 5.00
Horsemanship
Make Green 10 years old (Christian Co.) 10.00
Best Bee Hive, H. M. Dudley 5.00
5th Day
Roadsters and Harness Stock
Best Aged Stallion in Harness, George Stacker (Stewart Co.) 50.00
Best Aged Trotting Mare in Harness, Presley Davis (Christian Co.) 20.00
Best 2 year, Hugh Drane (Montgomery Co.) 10.00
Sweepstakes
Best Stallion or Colt, William Simpson (Warren Co.) 20.00
James E. Cummings (Montgomery Co.) Certificate
Carriage Horses
Best Horses or Mares, George D. Martin (Montgomery Co.) 20.00
Dr. W. Drane Certificate
Best Buggy Horse, Mare, or Gelding, Presley Davis 25.00
Best Fancy Team, John Morris (Hickman Co.) 10.00
Fastest Trotting Stock, George Stacker (Stewart Co.) 25.00
Horsemanship
A. Peacock (Todd Co.) Saddle 45.00
R. P. Madison (Montgomery Co.) Certificate
Tournament of Knights
(9 entries)
Western Hunter, S. H. Gill (Logan Co.) Wreath 50.00
Miss Maggie Gill (Todd Co.) Crowned Queen of Love and Beauty
Fruits, Flowers, etc.
Best bu. Apples, M. C. Johnson $5.00
Best bu. Peaches, CM. M. Grant 5.00
Best display Fruits, Mrs. H. M. Dudley 5.00
Flowers- Best Bouquet, Miss Mary Shackleford 5.00
Best Native Wine, Mrs. H. M. Dudley 20.00
W. M. Drane 10.00
Mrs. R. D. Dudley 5.00
Vegetables and Farm Products
Best bu. Wheat, W. L. Hiter 5.00
Best bu. Corn, George Stacker 5.00
Best 10 gal. Cider, James C. Johnson 2.00
Best bu. Clean Blue Grass Seed, Harelson & Co. 5.00
Fine Wool, J. M. Beall 5.00
Middle Wool, B. K. Tully 5.00
Long Wool, T. J. Munford 5.00
Cheese, A. G. Wilcox Certificate
Butter, Mrs. H. M. Dudley 5.00
Raw Ham, Mrs. G. H. Warfield 2.00
Cooked Ham, Mrs. G. H. Warfield 2.00
Rusks, Mrs. Watson 1.00
Tea Rusks, Mrs. Shackleford 1.00
Best Cake, Miss Florence Johnson 1.00
Italian Grass Seed, A. G. Wilcox 1.00
Best Cordial, Mrs. Lewis Garth 1.00
Best Lard, Mrs. A. M. Kimbro 1.00
Pickled Asparagus, Mrs. Mary Johnson 2.00
Cigars-Homemade, H. M. Dudley 5.00
Brandy Fruits, H. M. Dudley 2.00
Citron, Mrs. T. W. King 2.00
Domestic Manufacture
All Wool pair Blankets, B. K. Tully 10.00
Worsted Hose, Miss Bobbie Killebrew 2.00
25 yards Homemade Carpet, B. K. Tully 10.00
Homemade Hearth Rug, Mrs. Mary Petters 5.00
Cotton Hose, Mrs. M. Kease 2.00
Cotton Half-Hose, Mrs. M. Kease 1.00
Homemade Skirt, Miss V. M. Ivey 5.00
Artificial Flowers, Mrs. M. Monks 5.00
Homemade Bonnet, Miss Maguire and Mrs. Hodgson 5.00
Best Suit Cloth Clothes, McCollock & Plamen Agents 5.00
Best Overcoat, McCollock & Plamen Agents 5.00
Quilt, Miss Mary Boyd 10.00
Best Silk Embroidery, Miss Mary Boyd 5.00
Best Cotton Embroidery, Mrs. Dr. Whittington 5.00
Best Worsted Embroidery, Miss Sallie O'Neal 5.00
Best Silk or Velvet Quilt, Miss Duff (Russellville) 10.00
Leatherwork, Mrs. Dr. Whittington (Kentucky) 5.00
Satin Vest, Mrs. J. C. Crozier 5.00
Best Homemade Suit Jeans (Cashmere), Mrs. A. G. Wilcox 5.00
Needle work by lady over 75 years, Mrs. Nancy Brown 5.00
Needlework, Miss Wheeler (Princeton, Ky.) 5.00
Cashmere Half-hose, Mrs. B. K. Tully 1.00
Penmanship by Girl, Miss Bullen (Louisville, Ky.) 1.00
Homemade Sewing Silk, Mrs. Dr. Whittington 1.00
Glass Painting, Miss Beech (Williamson County) 2.00
Wax Work, Mrs. J. C. Crozier 2.00
Homemade Candles, Miss Mary Wilcox 1.00
Bead Work, Mrs. J. M. Kendall 2.00
Crewel Work, Mrs. J. M. Kendall 2.00
Machine Embroidery (Moore’s Machine), John S. Lay 1.00
Hair Work, Mrs. J. C. Crozier 2.00
Fly Brush, B. K. Tully 1.00
Saddle Horses
Best Saddle Stallion, R. C. Kickerson (Todd County) 10.00
Best Gelding, J. Rice Oldham (Montgomery County) 20.00
Best Horsemanship, J. S. Parish (Christian County) 10.00
Best Colt by Stacker's Young Black Hawk, Woods, Lewis & Company 25.00
Hugh Drane Certificate
Complimentary Blue Ribbon awarded to Young Black Hawk, sire of competing colts
2nd Day
Cattle - Indistinct Breeds
Best Bull-2 yrs., P. E. Herndon (Logan County, Durham Cattle) 10.00
Best Cow-aged, P. E. Herndon, Devon Cattle 10.00
Best Bull, C. N. Merriwether (Todd County), Milch Cows 10.00
Best Cow, P. E. Herndon, Fat Cattle 20.00
D. G. Bratton 10.00
Draft Horses
Best Stallion, 4 yrs. and over, S. O. Rutherford, (Logan County) 20.00
Best 1 yr. old, R. C. Dickerson Certificate
Sweepstakes
Best Stallion, S. O. Rutherford 10.00
Best Mare, J. R. McKinney 10.00
Poultry
Best Sweepstakes, J. T. Nolen 5.00
Tobacco on Stalk
Manufacturing Quality, N. B. Dudley 25.00
Best Stemming Leaf, J. A. Johnson 25.00
Goats
Best Exhibition Cashmere 10.00
3rd Day
Blooded Horses
Best Stallion, 4 yrs & over, C. N. Merriwether 75.00
Best Stallion, 3 yrs, D. C. Herndon 30.00
Best Stallion, 2 yrs, W. G. Harding 15.00
Blooded Mares
Best Brood Mare, 4 yrs & Over, W. G. Harding (Davidson Co.) 40.00
Sweepstakes
Best Blooded Horse or Colt, J. W. Malone 25.00
Best Mare or Filly, W. G. Harding 25.00
Jacks and Jennets
Best Jack, 3 yrs & over, B. K. Tully (Logan Co.) 20.00
Best Jack, 3 yrs, George Marr (Montgomery Co.) 15.00
Mules
Best Aged Mule, E. Bacon (Trigg Co.) 15.00
Trotting in Harness
Fastest Trotting Horse, Mare, or Gelding, James T. Cummens 25.00
4th Day
Swine
Best Aged Boar, G. W. Gill (Logan Co.) 10.00
Best Sow, Wiley Taylor, Jr. (Todd Co.) 10.00
Sheep
Best Long Wool Buck, any Breed, Dr. David King (Logan Co.) 10.00
Best Long Wool Ewe, T. J. Munford (Montgomery Co.) 10.00
Agricultural Implements
Best 4 Horse Wagon, Johnson, Garth & Co. 10.00
Best 2 Horse Wagon, Edward Brame (Lafayette, Ky.) 10.00
Best Apple Mill and Press, Munn & Company 10.00
Best Boots, John Rick 5.00
Plumbing, H. A. Cooper 5.00
Best Horse Shoes, Johnson, Garth & Co. 2.00
Best Shod Horse, Johnson, Garth & Co. 2.00
Best Man's Saddle, B. W. Herring & Co. 5.00
Best Woman's Saddle, John Young & Co. 5.00
Best Portrait Painting, D. Adamson 5.00
Best Picture by Light, W. J. MacCormac 5.00
Best Landscape, A. J. Allensworth 5.00
Best Top Buggy, S. Brockman & Co. 5.00
Horsemanship
Make Green 10 years old (Christian Co.) 10.00
Best Bee Hive, H. M. Dudley 5.00
5th Day
Roadsters and Harness Stock
Best Aged Stallion in Harness, George Stacker (Stewart Co.) 50.00
Best Aged Trotting Mare in Harness, Presley Davis (Christian Co.) 20.00
Best 2 year, Hugh Drane (Montgomery Co.) 10.00
Sweepstakes
Best Stallion or Colt, William Simpson (Warren Co.) 20.00
James E. Cummings (Montgomery Co.) Certificate
Carriage Horses
Best Horses or Mares, George D. Martin (Montgomery Co.) 20.00
Dr. W. Drane Certificate
Best Buggy Horse, Mare, or Gelding, Presley Davis 25.00
Best Fancy Team, John Morris (Hickman Co.) 10.00
Fastest Trotting Stock, George Stacker (Stewart Co.) 25.00
Horsemanship
A. Peacock (Todd Co.) Saddle 45.00
R. P. Madison (Montgomery Co.) Certificate
Tournament of Knights
(9 entries)
Western Hunter, S. H. Gill (Logan Co.) Wreath 50.00
Miss Maggie Gill (Todd Co.) Crowned Queen of Love and Beauty
165 Years of Montgomery County Tennessee Fairs, A Brief History, 1860- 2024
1860-1882 The Early Years
The period from 1860 to 1882 was characterized by much uncertainty due to the war and its aftermath. This situation was clearly reflected in the social activities of the people of Montgomery County. The fair of 1860 was a fine beginning, but it was 1866 before another fair was held. Then there was another recess until 1868. The years from 1868 to 1871 had successful fairs, but after 1871 the fair of 1876 was the only such activity until the “Stock Show and Farmer's Reunion” of 1883.
The Montgomery County fair of 1860 was held October 23-27. It was a gala affair with extra entertainment activities as well as the standard agricultural exhibits. The October 26, 1860 Clarksville Chronicle described it thus:
“We venture to say that as large an assemblage of fine looking men and women were never seen in Tennessee. There were more pretty women and handsome men, and they were elegantly dressed, than we ever saw before. The view presented was un grand coup d'oeil” (a great spectacle to see).
The fairs from 1860 to 1882 were planned and directed by an organization called “The Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Association.” They were all held at same location and the premium list and extra activities were about the same each year. Some special features were added from year to year. For 1869 the entire delegation of the Tennessee General Assembly was invited and attended the fair. Other special features that year included the catching of a fifty-pound greased pig. In that year a special four-day family entrance ticket was provided for $7.00. Bad, rainy, cold weather plagued the fair that 1869 year, as has often been the case. In the 1870 fair, which ran September 14-17, a cage of monkeys from Ujiji was a special attraction.
In the 1871 fair a special prize $25.00 silver pitcher was presented each day to the most popular woman at the fair, as judged by all present that day. Also, as an added stimulant to fair attendance that year, the railroads, turnpikes, and ferries of the area reduced their fares to half price for the duration of the fair.
In addition to the regular agricultural fairs, the tobacco farmers and warehouse companies had special tobacco fairs in July 1870, August 1871 and June 1872. The program there consisted of 175 to 200 tobacco entries and included judging, prize awarding, and selling tobacco. The 1872 event had 123 entries by co-host Turnley, Ely & Co. of the Elephant Warehouse, and 89 entries by co-host Bowling & Thomas of the O. K. Warehouse, with some Trigg County entries having missed their transportation to the fair.
The first mention of a “colored” fair was that of October 1875, held at the fairgrounds and bolstered by large crowds due to favorable weather. Premiums were awarded in many categories. Ed White of Nashville, formerly of Clarksville, was the featured speaker.
In 1876 the Clarksville Agricultural and Mechanical Fair resumed after a five-year recess. A special feature that year was a $500.00 first prize in a special horse race. The premium for best worsted quilt was awarded to Mrs. Trabue of Hopkinsville, the quilt containing 4,224 pieces.
The Colored Agricultural and Mechanical Association organized in 1878 as a stock company and held their first fair at the fairgrounds from October 17-19 of that year. $1000 was committed for premiums just in the horse races. After all premiums and debts were paid, stockholders received a payout of $12.00 each.
The Grange Warehouse sponsored a tobacco fair on July 3-4, 1879, in the new Tobacco Exchange building on the public square. 225 hogsheads were entered, with Robertson County winning a majority of the premiums.
1883-1888 Livestock Show and Farmer's Reunion Fairs
After a recess, the people of Montgomery County began having a type of agricultural fair again. Since livestock was so important in the area, these and most of the earlier fairs strongly emphasized livestock exhibits. This new venture begun in 1883 was directed by an organization called “The Montgomery County Farmers Association” and the fair called “The Stock Show and Farmers Reunion.” In the first years it included poultry and flowers. The 1887 fair included such special features as a baby show, a twins contest, a bicycle race, a unicycle act, and a special prize to the parents with the greatest number of children in the smallest number of years. The farmer's reunion part of the program usually included a speech by a prominent politician.
The fair held in August 1886 was by far the largest of this six-year period. More than 4000 people were reported in attendance, and more than 150 head of livestock were shown in addition to the other farm exhibits. A big show was planned for 1887, but bad weather slowed its progress. No show was held in 1888.
The Dunbar Cave fair ground was the site of the Montgomery County fairs intermittently until 1920. The main events of these fairs were conducted in what was called the amphitheater, which was located where the lake now stands. A pagoda was erected in the center of this stock ring area for the use of the judges and fair officials. The grandstand was erected on the higher ground to the west and northwest of the amphitheater.
The fact that the Dunbar Cave area was sold at auction August 5, 1887 to J. P. Barker of Bardstown, Kentucky for more intensive development as a recreation area probably helped to cause the discontinuance of fairs at that time.
1889-1902 The Fairs of the ‘Gay Nineties’
In 1889 a newly formed organization called “The Clarksville Fair Association” began a series called “The Montgomery County Annual Agricultural Fairs”. The first one was held at Buenaventura Farm off the Dover road. The next year a similar fair was directed by apparently the same organization renamed, “The Clarksville Park Association”. The 1890 fair was held in an area called the “Baseball Park” which was located in the flat land area southeast of the confluence of the Cumberland and Red rivers near the City Cemetery. This area was also known as the Chickasaw Bottoms.
The October 1891 event took place at the old fair grounds and lasted a full week. The toll bridge charged no tolls for people crossing Red River to reach the fairgrounds. A special exhibit that year were the “World’s Fair twin cattle,” Harrison and Cleveland, standing 18 hands high and having a combined weight of 4 tons, exhibited by John S. Walker of Jasper County, Missouri. The focus of premiums seemed to have been on speed races.
No records of fairs in the county have been found for the period from 1892 to 1894.
In the period from 1895 to 1898 there was a series of four annual fairs held in the “Baseball Park”. There were no Montgomery County fairs held from 1899 to 1903. The Spanish-American war was doubtless a contributing factor to that fair recess. The 1895-1898 fairs were directed by an organization called the “Montgomery County Fair Association”. Many fair-directing organizations had come and gone in Montgomery County in the years between 1860 and 1960, but the 1895-1898 organization and the 1960 organization had identical titles.
All of these fairs in the 1889-1902 period emphasized the livestock feature, but also included a variety of other exhibits and special activities. The 1889 fair had such special features as military drills, and bicycle races. The 1890 fair had a special day designated as school day, on which all Montgomery County school children, in groups of 10 or more with their teachers, were admitted at half price. In 1895 a balloon ascent by skilled ‘aeronaughts’ was a daily feature.
The tobacco section of the 1890 fair had an interesting premiums list summary: First Class: Austrian or Swiss Wrapper; Second Class: Best American Black Wrapper; Third Class: Best African Leaf; Fourth Class: Best Stemming Leaf; Fifth Class: Best 10 pounds in bundles.
It will be noted that many of the fairs were held quite late in the fall season, which also tended to increase the likelihood of unfavorable weather for fairgoers. In a diversified farm area like Montgomery County, the question of what is the best date or season to have an agricultural fair is a continuous problem. Many of the animal and plant farm commodities do not mature to prime fair showing condition at the same time. In addition to this the weather and fair schedules of other areas have to be taken into consideration.
Most of the fairs of the 1889-1902 period were held in areas more easily accessible to the downtown center of Clarksville. By 1896 the town’s street car system was advertised as a great help in the movement of people between the town and the fairgrounds area.
The Montgomery County Colored Fair Association organized in 1895 and held its first fair on October 31 and November 1, at Baseball Park. Special features were a brass band contest, and a 1-mile foot race between Tennessee champion Tobe Tatum and “Flying Gentry” of Ohio. “Professor Harrison” did demonstrations of glass-eating and breaking an iron bar over his head. Half fare rates were secured on the railroads, turnpikes and ferries.
The question of why were there so few fairs from 1871 to 1902 naturally arises. A reasonable estimate of why may be derived from the newspaper sources of that period. Serious epidemics of cholera, malaria, typhoid, diphtheria, and yellow fever were prevalent in and around the county during those years. Baseball, circuses, Grange organizations, opera, drama, and spirited political rallies were providing considerable social life for the people. Economic depressions were part of the situation during some of that period. Local problems of weather, fair location, and transportation during some of the past fairs were not encouraging to those who would attempt the big task of organizing and managing such a mass undertaking.
1903-1912 Fairs at the Cave and League Park
In the period from 1903 to 1912 fairs were again held at the Dunbar Cave location. These fairs at the cave were scheduled for the months of August or September. In addition to this, during the 1910 and 1911 years two fairs were held at the “League Ball Park” located just east of Greenwood Avenue near the neighborhood called Five Points. This was the park used by the Kitty Baseball League organized in 1910 for Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and some Illinois teams. These ball-park fairs were held in October each year. This provided an unusual approach to the problem of scheduling fairs to accommodate various fair exhibit products and activities.
The nature and names of the fairs during that 1903-1912 period can very well be determined from the names of their organizing associations. The 10 fairs held at Dunbar Cave were called “Montgomery County Stock Show and Agricultural Fair Association” fairs. The 2 fairs held at the “League Ball Park” were called “Montgomery County Horse Show and Tobacco Fair Association” fairs. The fairs held at the cave put the emphasis on livestock and some general agricultural exhibits, while the fairs held in the ball park in October included the county horse show and a good collection of tobacco exhibits. Each of the fairs varied its program some from year to year.
The 1903 fair at the cave included a baby show, a special band from Madisonville, Kentucky, and a special program by cakewalk dancers. The 1906 fair included a poultry section and also had such special features as “Captain Jack the Educated Horse” and “Little Willie the Armless and Legless Boy.” In 1907 at the cave fair Madam Lazena was daily featured in a balloon ascension and parachute drop. That year women over 75 years of age as well as children under 12 were admitted free. The 1910 ball park fair had a new floral hall for ladies work exhibits which included sewing and a flower show in addition to the tobacco section. A champion lady high-dive act and the then-famous “Krause Greater Shows” were included for the first time in the 1911 ball park fair as a big midway attraction. That type of feature did not become a regular part of Montgomery County fairs for a number of years, partly because many later fairs were held in limited spaces in local tobacco warehouses. Both of these fair associations were disbanded in 1912 and a new era in Montgomery County fairs was born.
The reorganized Montgomery County Colored Fair Association hosted the Montgomery County Colored Fair and Stock Show, on October 5-7, 1905 at Dunbar Cave, featuring a Farmers’ Day with speeches by prominent tobacco men, and an old-time fiddler’s contest on Friday night.
The Montgomery County Colored Industrial, Agricultural and Live Stock Association formed in 1913 and hosted a 4-day fair at Baseball Park.
1913-1936 School and Community Fairs
With the introduction of agricultural extension service into the farm program by 1914, special farm projects for adults and youth were begun in the form of 4-H Club, Corn Club, Big Club and other farm activity programs. For a number of years beginning with 1914 the Montgomery County fairs emphasized these specialized school and community projects.
In addition to the larger county fair of 1912 there was a small school fair held in October of that year. This school fair included only limited exhibits from a few Montgomery County schools, but it was the beginning of a pattern which put much emphasis on school projects in the regular county fairs. The stated objectives of these school and community fairs of the 1913-1936 period were to help the schools better serve the needs of the communities.
Beginning with the fair of 1922 and continuing most years into the 1940's, a school parade became an annual big feature of the fairs. These parades were well directed and often included a dozen or more school and community floats, school and community bands, and sometimes almost all of the school pupils from all of the country and city schools. These parades were usually held on Friday of fair week and covered a parade route of several miles.
The “second annual” Montgomery County Colored Fair was held October 4-7, 1922, at the Union Baseball Park on Greenwood Avenue. Schools were dismissed on that Friday so that all of the school children could attend. A school parade began at the school at Franklin and 10th Streets and proceeded out to the park, where a carnival was a popular side attraction. The 1930 fair featured a football game between Burt High School and Springfield’s Bransford High School. The 1932 fair was said to be the 10th annual event, and included a floral hall and an amusement hall.
Beginning with 1928 and continuing for a number of years, each community was encouraged to specialize in only one agricultural commodity in its fair exhibit. This plan helped to eliminate much duplication and simplified the preparation and judging of the exhibits.
In the years just before, during and after 1923, a smaller community fair movement was in operation in Montgomery County also. In 1923 there were 5 community fairs in addition to the regular county fair. By 1926 the Southside community was advertising its seventh annual community fair.
The year 1924 marks the renewal of more urban commercial exhibits in Montgomery County fairs. In that year the local Chamber of Commerce had a special booth and 25 or more businesses had 16 by 16 foot exhibits. Local banks and other local businesses also increased their sponsorship of the fairs by contributing more to premium offerings.
The regular fair for 1927 was postponed during the usual fair season, and was finally held as a “Montgomery County School Fair” in March 1928. It was located for that year at Fredonia School about ten miles southeast of Clarksville. There were only nine county schools represented in that years’ exhibits, but 600 to 800 people were reported in attendance.
There was no regular Montgomery County fair in 1929, but instead there was a special activity called the “American Legion Merchants and Manufacturers Exposition.” It was held October 21-26 and included a great variety of commercial exhibits. It also included 4-H Club projects, school displays, and a fashion show for the ladies.
In 1935 there was a special event called a “Harvest Dinner” held at the Biggers Warehouse on Commerce Street, which included some aspects of a county fair. Over 500 people participated in the dinner at which 21 local business firms showed their products and 750 prizes and souvenirs were awarded. Similar expositions later became part of the regular Montgomery County fairs.
The Montgomery County Colored Fair Association reorganized in 1936 and hosted a very successful two-day 4-H Club fair on October 16-17. A booth of the Eastern Dark-Fired Tobacco Association was featured at both the white and colored fairs that year. This Association hosted its fairs for a number of years at the Farmers’ Warehouse at the corner of Franklin and Sixth Streets. The 1937 event, however, had to relocated to the Port Royal community due to lack of housing accommodations in the Clarksville vicinity. At that event, the winning yellow corn variety was Jarvis Golden Prolific.
1937-1944 Years
In the period from 1937 to 1942 agricultural fairs in Montgomery County featured 4-H Club activities. During most of that period the county fair was called “4-H Club Achievement Day.” Many of these fairs were only one day events in which practically all the 4-H Club members in the county came to town, exhibited their projects, and had a big time. The program usually included a parade, a motion picture show, a football game, a banquet, and the ceremony in which prizes were awarded for excellence in the 4-H projects.
A special feature of the 1939 and 1940 Montgomery County Colored Fairs was a performance by the 80-member Burt High School band. The 1940 fair organizers also arranged a special screening, at the Capitol Theatre, of the new “Four Pillars of Income” film about county agriculture.
In 1941 the fair type activities were more extensive. In the week of November 21-27 that year, three big events were held somewhat in connection with each other. They were “4-H Club Achievement Day”, the “Southern National Hereford Show and Sale,” and the “Cumberland Valley Beef Cattle Show.” All these programs were well organized and well attended. Together they constituted quite a fair.
In 1942 the 4-H Club fair dealt only with poultry projects, and was called the “4-H Club Chick Show and Sale.” This program was sponsored by the agricultural committee of the local Chamber of Commerce. The committee loaned money to the 4-H Club members to purchase chickens and feed. This show was held to give an opportunity to exhibit and sell the products of that program.
No Montgomery County fairs were held during the World War II years of 1943 and 1944. Paper drives, scrap drives, war bond drives, and other war-connected, community projects filled the activity program.
1945-1960 The Just Yesterday and Now Years
World War II was fast drawing to a close during the fair season of 1945. That year the Montgomery County fair was resumed on a larger scale than it had been in the pre-war years. The 1945 fair was so large that it occupied three big tobacco loose-floor warehouses. It included most of the standard farm commodity exhibits, community exhibits, school displays, 4-H Club projects, a tobacco show, a hog show, and a flower show. There was also a sheep show and a sheep shearing contest.
The 1945 entertainment features were also more extensive than in pre-war year fairs. There was a ten-mile parade with many civilian and military bands. A big rain on Friday caused the parade to be postponed until Saturday, but the Friday night football game between Clarksville and Dickson was played on schedule as part of the fair’s recreational program.
By the time the 1945 fair was over there was clear evidence that some changes were needed in order for the Montgomery County fairs to make the desired progress and properly serve the people of the area. A home for the fairs in the form of a permanent fairgrounds seemed very necessary. In the months following the 1945 fair, steps began to be taken to secure such grounds and needed facilities. It was a major community project and the whole larger community had to support the movement to make it a success. The Agricultural Committee of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce took the lead. Many other civic and community organizations did important work. Many individuals used their time and influence whenever and wherever it was needed.
The Montgomery County Fair Association received a corporate charter from the State of Tennessee on June 21, 1946. By the time of the 1946 fair season a fair grounds fund was being collected. By the time of the 1947 fair season a tract of land had been procured on which to establish a permanent fairgrounds, but it was not ready for the fair of that year. It consisted of a fourteen-acre block of land bounded by Drane, Lee and Marion Streets and Robb Avenue. It included a large pond known as Big Beach Pond or Minnow Pond, which for years had been used for summer fishing and winter ice skating. The northern part of this tract was developed into a city park known as Pettus Park. The southern part was planned for a complete fair ground area.
In the development of the property for use, the Tennessee State Planning Commission was employed to help develop it for the best use of the land. The old pond was drained and that area became the show ring and race track. The hillside to the south of the show ring became the grandstand. The higher ground to the south of the grandstand became the area for fair exhibit buildings. The area to the east of the show ring was planned for the livestock pens and stables.
Very early in the fairgrounds planning operation, an arrangement was made with the local Tennessee National Guard unit whereby a small portion of the fairgrounds was deeded to that organization on which they built a military equipment storage garage. The agreement included permission for the Montgomery County Fair to use that building for fair exhibits during fair season for about one week per year. That building served its purpose well for about ten years, but in 1959 two new fair exhibit buildings, one 300 by 60 feet and the other 60 by 75 feet, were erected at a cost of about $75,000. It was reliably estimated in 1960 that the complete fair grounds and improvements were valued at $175,000. The fair grounds were the joint property of Clarksville and Montgomery County and were administered by a separate organization called the “Montgomery County Fair Association.”
In late August 1960 the title to the Fairgrounds Property was transferred from the City of Clarksville and County of Montgomery to the “Montgomery County Fair Association.” Of course the major activity of the year at the fairgrounds was the “Old Fashioned Montgomery Fair” which usually ran during the last of August and into the first week of September, but other public gatherings were held there from time to time during the year. One very important activity held in the fairgrounds show ring was the annual Montgomery County Horse Show. For a number of years it had been sponsored by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce, which regularly contributed a portion of the horse show profits to fairgrounds funds. For a number of years until 1949 the horse show was a part of the regular fair program, but later it was held earlier in the year - in June or July.
The Tennessee State Department of Agriculture gave very important aid and support to the Montgomery Fair in its administration especially in the late 1950s. As far back as the early 1930s, that department of the state government had begun to supplement the fair premium prize money. In 1932, $200 came from that source, and in 1933 $100. Starting about 1952, a state law went into effect whereby the State Department of Agriculture provided a good financial incentive to each county to have a good agricultural fair.
Under that law each county that had an acceptable fair received a percentage of the premiums paid. When rated by the Tenn. Assn. of Fairs the amounts varied. Fairs were rated Standard – Superior - and Champion. Montgomery County was rated Superior for its 1958-1960 fairs, and received a total of $2100.00 in supplementary State Aid in that time. In addition to this financial support, the 1959 and 1960 fairs were provided with very attractive exhibits of materials from the State Department of Agriculture Museum at no cost to the local fair association. This energetic support from the state government indicated something of the great value well placed on county fairs as an activity to benefit all the people of an area.
In 1947 the fair was the first “Old Fashioned Montgomery County Fair” even partly held in the new fair grounds. The horse show and the midway shows were on the grounds, but the agricultural and livestock exhibits were in the nearby National Guard Armory and in tents on the Armory grounds. A special feature of the 1947 fair was a full evening of musical entertainment with the Austin Peay State College band.
The 1948 fair still had many of the agricultural exhibits in the National Guard Armory. In that year the fair again featured a huge downtown parade and a fat hog show. A bigger and better midway and fair carnival was in full operation on the fairgrounds.
All of the “Old Fashioned Montgomery County Fair” was held on the fairgrounds for the first time in 1949. Nearly 100 years had elapsed since the county had its first fair in 1860, and in that period about 73 fairs had been held in a total of about 18 different locations. The fair had done some traveling, and now it had a home. With adequate space and improved facilities Montgomery County could have a complete fair. During the period from 1945 to 1960 the fair for each year was just a little bit better. More complete exhibits and more special features were added each year.
The period from 1860 to 1882 was characterized by much uncertainty due to the war and its aftermath. This situation was clearly reflected in the social activities of the people of Montgomery County. The fair of 1860 was a fine beginning, but it was 1866 before another fair was held. Then there was another recess until 1868. The years from 1868 to 1871 had successful fairs, but after 1871 the fair of 1876 was the only such activity until the “Stock Show and Farmer's Reunion” of 1883.
The Montgomery County fair of 1860 was held October 23-27. It was a gala affair with extra entertainment activities as well as the standard agricultural exhibits. The October 26, 1860 Clarksville Chronicle described it thus:
“We venture to say that as large an assemblage of fine looking men and women were never seen in Tennessee. There were more pretty women and handsome men, and they were elegantly dressed, than we ever saw before. The view presented was un grand coup d'oeil” (a great spectacle to see).
The fairs from 1860 to 1882 were planned and directed by an organization called “The Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Association.” They were all held at same location and the premium list and extra activities were about the same each year. Some special features were added from year to year. For 1869 the entire delegation of the Tennessee General Assembly was invited and attended the fair. Other special features that year included the catching of a fifty-pound greased pig. In that year a special four-day family entrance ticket was provided for $7.00. Bad, rainy, cold weather plagued the fair that 1869 year, as has often been the case. In the 1870 fair, which ran September 14-17, a cage of monkeys from Ujiji was a special attraction.
In the 1871 fair a special prize $25.00 silver pitcher was presented each day to the most popular woman at the fair, as judged by all present that day. Also, as an added stimulant to fair attendance that year, the railroads, turnpikes, and ferries of the area reduced their fares to half price for the duration of the fair.
In addition to the regular agricultural fairs, the tobacco farmers and warehouse companies had special tobacco fairs in July 1870, August 1871 and June 1872. The program there consisted of 175 to 200 tobacco entries and included judging, prize awarding, and selling tobacco. The 1872 event had 123 entries by co-host Turnley, Ely & Co. of the Elephant Warehouse, and 89 entries by co-host Bowling & Thomas of the O. K. Warehouse, with some Trigg County entries having missed their transportation to the fair.
The first mention of a “colored” fair was that of October 1875, held at the fairgrounds and bolstered by large crowds due to favorable weather. Premiums were awarded in many categories. Ed White of Nashville, formerly of Clarksville, was the featured speaker.
In 1876 the Clarksville Agricultural and Mechanical Fair resumed after a five-year recess. A special feature that year was a $500.00 first prize in a special horse race. The premium for best worsted quilt was awarded to Mrs. Trabue of Hopkinsville, the quilt containing 4,224 pieces.
The Colored Agricultural and Mechanical Association organized in 1878 as a stock company and held their first fair at the fairgrounds from October 17-19 of that year. $1000 was committed for premiums just in the horse races. After all premiums and debts were paid, stockholders received a payout of $12.00 each.
The Grange Warehouse sponsored a tobacco fair on July 3-4, 1879, in the new Tobacco Exchange building on the public square. 225 hogsheads were entered, with Robertson County winning a majority of the premiums.
1883-1888 Livestock Show and Farmer's Reunion Fairs
After a recess, the people of Montgomery County began having a type of agricultural fair again. Since livestock was so important in the area, these and most of the earlier fairs strongly emphasized livestock exhibits. This new venture begun in 1883 was directed by an organization called “The Montgomery County Farmers Association” and the fair called “The Stock Show and Farmers Reunion.” In the first years it included poultry and flowers. The 1887 fair included such special features as a baby show, a twins contest, a bicycle race, a unicycle act, and a special prize to the parents with the greatest number of children in the smallest number of years. The farmer's reunion part of the program usually included a speech by a prominent politician.
The fair held in August 1886 was by far the largest of this six-year period. More than 4000 people were reported in attendance, and more than 150 head of livestock were shown in addition to the other farm exhibits. A big show was planned for 1887, but bad weather slowed its progress. No show was held in 1888.
The Dunbar Cave fair ground was the site of the Montgomery County fairs intermittently until 1920. The main events of these fairs were conducted in what was called the amphitheater, which was located where the lake now stands. A pagoda was erected in the center of this stock ring area for the use of the judges and fair officials. The grandstand was erected on the higher ground to the west and northwest of the amphitheater.
The fact that the Dunbar Cave area was sold at auction August 5, 1887 to J. P. Barker of Bardstown, Kentucky for more intensive development as a recreation area probably helped to cause the discontinuance of fairs at that time.
1889-1902 The Fairs of the ‘Gay Nineties’
In 1889 a newly formed organization called “The Clarksville Fair Association” began a series called “The Montgomery County Annual Agricultural Fairs”. The first one was held at Buenaventura Farm off the Dover road. The next year a similar fair was directed by apparently the same organization renamed, “The Clarksville Park Association”. The 1890 fair was held in an area called the “Baseball Park” which was located in the flat land area southeast of the confluence of the Cumberland and Red rivers near the City Cemetery. This area was also known as the Chickasaw Bottoms.
The October 1891 event took place at the old fair grounds and lasted a full week. The toll bridge charged no tolls for people crossing Red River to reach the fairgrounds. A special exhibit that year were the “World’s Fair twin cattle,” Harrison and Cleveland, standing 18 hands high and having a combined weight of 4 tons, exhibited by John S. Walker of Jasper County, Missouri. The focus of premiums seemed to have been on speed races.
No records of fairs in the county have been found for the period from 1892 to 1894.
In the period from 1895 to 1898 there was a series of four annual fairs held in the “Baseball Park”. There were no Montgomery County fairs held from 1899 to 1903. The Spanish-American war was doubtless a contributing factor to that fair recess. The 1895-1898 fairs were directed by an organization called the “Montgomery County Fair Association”. Many fair-directing organizations had come and gone in Montgomery County in the years between 1860 and 1960, but the 1895-1898 organization and the 1960 organization had identical titles.
All of these fairs in the 1889-1902 period emphasized the livestock feature, but also included a variety of other exhibits and special activities. The 1889 fair had such special features as military drills, and bicycle races. The 1890 fair had a special day designated as school day, on which all Montgomery County school children, in groups of 10 or more with their teachers, were admitted at half price. In 1895 a balloon ascent by skilled ‘aeronaughts’ was a daily feature.
The tobacco section of the 1890 fair had an interesting premiums list summary: First Class: Austrian or Swiss Wrapper; Second Class: Best American Black Wrapper; Third Class: Best African Leaf; Fourth Class: Best Stemming Leaf; Fifth Class: Best 10 pounds in bundles.
It will be noted that many of the fairs were held quite late in the fall season, which also tended to increase the likelihood of unfavorable weather for fairgoers. In a diversified farm area like Montgomery County, the question of what is the best date or season to have an agricultural fair is a continuous problem. Many of the animal and plant farm commodities do not mature to prime fair showing condition at the same time. In addition to this the weather and fair schedules of other areas have to be taken into consideration.
Most of the fairs of the 1889-1902 period were held in areas more easily accessible to the downtown center of Clarksville. By 1896 the town’s street car system was advertised as a great help in the movement of people between the town and the fairgrounds area.
The Montgomery County Colored Fair Association organized in 1895 and held its first fair on October 31 and November 1, at Baseball Park. Special features were a brass band contest, and a 1-mile foot race between Tennessee champion Tobe Tatum and “Flying Gentry” of Ohio. “Professor Harrison” did demonstrations of glass-eating and breaking an iron bar over his head. Half fare rates were secured on the railroads, turnpikes and ferries.
The question of why were there so few fairs from 1871 to 1902 naturally arises. A reasonable estimate of why may be derived from the newspaper sources of that period. Serious epidemics of cholera, malaria, typhoid, diphtheria, and yellow fever were prevalent in and around the county during those years. Baseball, circuses, Grange organizations, opera, drama, and spirited political rallies were providing considerable social life for the people. Economic depressions were part of the situation during some of that period. Local problems of weather, fair location, and transportation during some of the past fairs were not encouraging to those who would attempt the big task of organizing and managing such a mass undertaking.
1903-1912 Fairs at the Cave and League Park
In the period from 1903 to 1912 fairs were again held at the Dunbar Cave location. These fairs at the cave were scheduled for the months of August or September. In addition to this, during the 1910 and 1911 years two fairs were held at the “League Ball Park” located just east of Greenwood Avenue near the neighborhood called Five Points. This was the park used by the Kitty Baseball League organized in 1910 for Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and some Illinois teams. These ball-park fairs were held in October each year. This provided an unusual approach to the problem of scheduling fairs to accommodate various fair exhibit products and activities.
The nature and names of the fairs during that 1903-1912 period can very well be determined from the names of their organizing associations. The 10 fairs held at Dunbar Cave were called “Montgomery County Stock Show and Agricultural Fair Association” fairs. The 2 fairs held at the “League Ball Park” were called “Montgomery County Horse Show and Tobacco Fair Association” fairs. The fairs held at the cave put the emphasis on livestock and some general agricultural exhibits, while the fairs held in the ball park in October included the county horse show and a good collection of tobacco exhibits. Each of the fairs varied its program some from year to year.
The 1903 fair at the cave included a baby show, a special band from Madisonville, Kentucky, and a special program by cakewalk dancers. The 1906 fair included a poultry section and also had such special features as “Captain Jack the Educated Horse” and “Little Willie the Armless and Legless Boy.” In 1907 at the cave fair Madam Lazena was daily featured in a balloon ascension and parachute drop. That year women over 75 years of age as well as children under 12 were admitted free. The 1910 ball park fair had a new floral hall for ladies work exhibits which included sewing and a flower show in addition to the tobacco section. A champion lady high-dive act and the then-famous “Krause Greater Shows” were included for the first time in the 1911 ball park fair as a big midway attraction. That type of feature did not become a regular part of Montgomery County fairs for a number of years, partly because many later fairs were held in limited spaces in local tobacco warehouses. Both of these fair associations were disbanded in 1912 and a new era in Montgomery County fairs was born.
The reorganized Montgomery County Colored Fair Association hosted the Montgomery County Colored Fair and Stock Show, on October 5-7, 1905 at Dunbar Cave, featuring a Farmers’ Day with speeches by prominent tobacco men, and an old-time fiddler’s contest on Friday night.
The Montgomery County Colored Industrial, Agricultural and Live Stock Association formed in 1913 and hosted a 4-day fair at Baseball Park.
1913-1936 School and Community Fairs
With the introduction of agricultural extension service into the farm program by 1914, special farm projects for adults and youth were begun in the form of 4-H Club, Corn Club, Big Club and other farm activity programs. For a number of years beginning with 1914 the Montgomery County fairs emphasized these specialized school and community projects.
In addition to the larger county fair of 1912 there was a small school fair held in October of that year. This school fair included only limited exhibits from a few Montgomery County schools, but it was the beginning of a pattern which put much emphasis on school projects in the regular county fairs. The stated objectives of these school and community fairs of the 1913-1936 period were to help the schools better serve the needs of the communities.
Beginning with the fair of 1922 and continuing most years into the 1940's, a school parade became an annual big feature of the fairs. These parades were well directed and often included a dozen or more school and community floats, school and community bands, and sometimes almost all of the school pupils from all of the country and city schools. These parades were usually held on Friday of fair week and covered a parade route of several miles.
The “second annual” Montgomery County Colored Fair was held October 4-7, 1922, at the Union Baseball Park on Greenwood Avenue. Schools were dismissed on that Friday so that all of the school children could attend. A school parade began at the school at Franklin and 10th Streets and proceeded out to the park, where a carnival was a popular side attraction. The 1930 fair featured a football game between Burt High School and Springfield’s Bransford High School. The 1932 fair was said to be the 10th annual event, and included a floral hall and an amusement hall.
Beginning with 1928 and continuing for a number of years, each community was encouraged to specialize in only one agricultural commodity in its fair exhibit. This plan helped to eliminate much duplication and simplified the preparation and judging of the exhibits.
In the years just before, during and after 1923, a smaller community fair movement was in operation in Montgomery County also. In 1923 there were 5 community fairs in addition to the regular county fair. By 1926 the Southside community was advertising its seventh annual community fair.
The year 1924 marks the renewal of more urban commercial exhibits in Montgomery County fairs. In that year the local Chamber of Commerce had a special booth and 25 or more businesses had 16 by 16 foot exhibits. Local banks and other local businesses also increased their sponsorship of the fairs by contributing more to premium offerings.
The regular fair for 1927 was postponed during the usual fair season, and was finally held as a “Montgomery County School Fair” in March 1928. It was located for that year at Fredonia School about ten miles southeast of Clarksville. There were only nine county schools represented in that years’ exhibits, but 600 to 800 people were reported in attendance.
There was no regular Montgomery County fair in 1929, but instead there was a special activity called the “American Legion Merchants and Manufacturers Exposition.” It was held October 21-26 and included a great variety of commercial exhibits. It also included 4-H Club projects, school displays, and a fashion show for the ladies.
In 1935 there was a special event called a “Harvest Dinner” held at the Biggers Warehouse on Commerce Street, which included some aspects of a county fair. Over 500 people participated in the dinner at which 21 local business firms showed their products and 750 prizes and souvenirs were awarded. Similar expositions later became part of the regular Montgomery County fairs.
The Montgomery County Colored Fair Association reorganized in 1936 and hosted a very successful two-day 4-H Club fair on October 16-17. A booth of the Eastern Dark-Fired Tobacco Association was featured at both the white and colored fairs that year. This Association hosted its fairs for a number of years at the Farmers’ Warehouse at the corner of Franklin and Sixth Streets. The 1937 event, however, had to relocated to the Port Royal community due to lack of housing accommodations in the Clarksville vicinity. At that event, the winning yellow corn variety was Jarvis Golden Prolific.
1937-1944 Years
In the period from 1937 to 1942 agricultural fairs in Montgomery County featured 4-H Club activities. During most of that period the county fair was called “4-H Club Achievement Day.” Many of these fairs were only one day events in which practically all the 4-H Club members in the county came to town, exhibited their projects, and had a big time. The program usually included a parade, a motion picture show, a football game, a banquet, and the ceremony in which prizes were awarded for excellence in the 4-H projects.
A special feature of the 1939 and 1940 Montgomery County Colored Fairs was a performance by the 80-member Burt High School band. The 1940 fair organizers also arranged a special screening, at the Capitol Theatre, of the new “Four Pillars of Income” film about county agriculture.
In 1941 the fair type activities were more extensive. In the week of November 21-27 that year, three big events were held somewhat in connection with each other. They were “4-H Club Achievement Day”, the “Southern National Hereford Show and Sale,” and the “Cumberland Valley Beef Cattle Show.” All these programs were well organized and well attended. Together they constituted quite a fair.
In 1942 the 4-H Club fair dealt only with poultry projects, and was called the “4-H Club Chick Show and Sale.” This program was sponsored by the agricultural committee of the local Chamber of Commerce. The committee loaned money to the 4-H Club members to purchase chickens and feed. This show was held to give an opportunity to exhibit and sell the products of that program.
No Montgomery County fairs were held during the World War II years of 1943 and 1944. Paper drives, scrap drives, war bond drives, and other war-connected, community projects filled the activity program.
1945-1960 The Just Yesterday and Now Years
World War II was fast drawing to a close during the fair season of 1945. That year the Montgomery County fair was resumed on a larger scale than it had been in the pre-war years. The 1945 fair was so large that it occupied three big tobacco loose-floor warehouses. It included most of the standard farm commodity exhibits, community exhibits, school displays, 4-H Club projects, a tobacco show, a hog show, and a flower show. There was also a sheep show and a sheep shearing contest.
The 1945 entertainment features were also more extensive than in pre-war year fairs. There was a ten-mile parade with many civilian and military bands. A big rain on Friday caused the parade to be postponed until Saturday, but the Friday night football game between Clarksville and Dickson was played on schedule as part of the fair’s recreational program.
By the time the 1945 fair was over there was clear evidence that some changes were needed in order for the Montgomery County fairs to make the desired progress and properly serve the people of the area. A home for the fairs in the form of a permanent fairgrounds seemed very necessary. In the months following the 1945 fair, steps began to be taken to secure such grounds and needed facilities. It was a major community project and the whole larger community had to support the movement to make it a success. The Agricultural Committee of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce took the lead. Many other civic and community organizations did important work. Many individuals used their time and influence whenever and wherever it was needed.
The Montgomery County Fair Association received a corporate charter from the State of Tennessee on June 21, 1946. By the time of the 1946 fair season a fair grounds fund was being collected. By the time of the 1947 fair season a tract of land had been procured on which to establish a permanent fairgrounds, but it was not ready for the fair of that year. It consisted of a fourteen-acre block of land bounded by Drane, Lee and Marion Streets and Robb Avenue. It included a large pond known as Big Beach Pond or Minnow Pond, which for years had been used for summer fishing and winter ice skating. The northern part of this tract was developed into a city park known as Pettus Park. The southern part was planned for a complete fair ground area.
In the development of the property for use, the Tennessee State Planning Commission was employed to help develop it for the best use of the land. The old pond was drained and that area became the show ring and race track. The hillside to the south of the show ring became the grandstand. The higher ground to the south of the grandstand became the area for fair exhibit buildings. The area to the east of the show ring was planned for the livestock pens and stables.
Very early in the fairgrounds planning operation, an arrangement was made with the local Tennessee National Guard unit whereby a small portion of the fairgrounds was deeded to that organization on which they built a military equipment storage garage. The agreement included permission for the Montgomery County Fair to use that building for fair exhibits during fair season for about one week per year. That building served its purpose well for about ten years, but in 1959 two new fair exhibit buildings, one 300 by 60 feet and the other 60 by 75 feet, were erected at a cost of about $75,000. It was reliably estimated in 1960 that the complete fair grounds and improvements were valued at $175,000. The fair grounds were the joint property of Clarksville and Montgomery County and were administered by a separate organization called the “Montgomery County Fair Association.”
In late August 1960 the title to the Fairgrounds Property was transferred from the City of Clarksville and County of Montgomery to the “Montgomery County Fair Association.” Of course the major activity of the year at the fairgrounds was the “Old Fashioned Montgomery Fair” which usually ran during the last of August and into the first week of September, but other public gatherings were held there from time to time during the year. One very important activity held in the fairgrounds show ring was the annual Montgomery County Horse Show. For a number of years it had been sponsored by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce, which regularly contributed a portion of the horse show profits to fairgrounds funds. For a number of years until 1949 the horse show was a part of the regular fair program, but later it was held earlier in the year - in June or July.
The Tennessee State Department of Agriculture gave very important aid and support to the Montgomery Fair in its administration especially in the late 1950s. As far back as the early 1930s, that department of the state government had begun to supplement the fair premium prize money. In 1932, $200 came from that source, and in 1933 $100. Starting about 1952, a state law went into effect whereby the State Department of Agriculture provided a good financial incentive to each county to have a good agricultural fair.
Under that law each county that had an acceptable fair received a percentage of the premiums paid. When rated by the Tenn. Assn. of Fairs the amounts varied. Fairs were rated Standard – Superior - and Champion. Montgomery County was rated Superior for its 1958-1960 fairs, and received a total of $2100.00 in supplementary State Aid in that time. In addition to this financial support, the 1959 and 1960 fairs were provided with very attractive exhibits of materials from the State Department of Agriculture Museum at no cost to the local fair association. This energetic support from the state government indicated something of the great value well placed on county fairs as an activity to benefit all the people of an area.
In 1947 the fair was the first “Old Fashioned Montgomery County Fair” even partly held in the new fair grounds. The horse show and the midway shows were on the grounds, but the agricultural and livestock exhibits were in the nearby National Guard Armory and in tents on the Armory grounds. A special feature of the 1947 fair was a full evening of musical entertainment with the Austin Peay State College band.
The 1948 fair still had many of the agricultural exhibits in the National Guard Armory. In that year the fair again featured a huge downtown parade and a fat hog show. A bigger and better midway and fair carnival was in full operation on the fairgrounds.
All of the “Old Fashioned Montgomery County Fair” was held on the fairgrounds for the first time in 1949. Nearly 100 years had elapsed since the county had its first fair in 1860, and in that period about 73 fairs had been held in a total of about 18 different locations. The fair had done some traveling, and now it had a home. With adequate space and improved facilities Montgomery County could have a complete fair. During the period from 1945 to 1960 the fair for each year was just a little bit better. More complete exhibits and more special features were added each year.
The favorite attraction at the 1950 Montgomery County Negro Fair was the high-dive act of Captain Shin Songer, who dove from a 100-foot ladder into a flaming tank of water. At the 1948 fair, 150 Boy Scouts from Clarksville and southern Kentucky held an encampment at the fair.
The 1945 to 1960 fairs included very full programs - as an example, the 1960 fair, August 31 - September 3, included a beauty contest, a mule pulling contest, a 4-H Club tractor driving contest, community exhibits, special educational tobacco exhibits, a State Department of Agriculture Museum exhibit, a homemaker's division, a girl’s 4-H Club division, and a livestock division. It had departments of poultry and field crops. The Hunt Amusement Company Carnival provided midway entertainment and free acts were featured each night and Friday afternoon. Friday, September 2 was Children's Day during which children were admitted free and carnival rides were available at reduced prices. The 1960 “Old Fashioned Montgomery County Fair” was regarded as very adequate as the one-hundredth anniversary celebration.
From 1949 thru 1961 the Montgomery County Old Fashioned Fair and the Montgomery County Negro Fair were held at the Fairgrounds. The Montgomery County Riding Club leased the stables at the fairgrounds for many years and hosted horse shows and rodeos there.
The Negro Fair was cancelled in 1962, due to financial difficulties in securing suitable midway attractions that would ensure a successful event. It had enjoyed 14 consecutive years of successful fairs, had shown nearly 29,000 exhibits, and had paid nearly $12,000 in premiums. See the additional information at the end of this article regarding Pope G. Garrett Sr.
The 1945 to 1960 fairs included very full programs - as an example, the 1960 fair, August 31 - September 3, included a beauty contest, a mule pulling contest, a 4-H Club tractor driving contest, community exhibits, special educational tobacco exhibits, a State Department of Agriculture Museum exhibit, a homemaker's division, a girl’s 4-H Club division, and a livestock division. It had departments of poultry and field crops. The Hunt Amusement Company Carnival provided midway entertainment and free acts were featured each night and Friday afternoon. Friday, September 2 was Children's Day during which children were admitted free and carnival rides were available at reduced prices. The 1960 “Old Fashioned Montgomery County Fair” was regarded as very adequate as the one-hundredth anniversary celebration.
From 1949 thru 1961 the Montgomery County Old Fashioned Fair and the Montgomery County Negro Fair were held at the Fairgrounds. The Montgomery County Riding Club leased the stables at the fairgrounds for many years and hosted horse shows and rodeos there.
The Negro Fair was cancelled in 1962, due to financial difficulties in securing suitable midway attractions that would ensure a successful event. It had enjoyed 14 consecutive years of successful fairs, had shown nearly 29,000 exhibits, and had paid nearly $12,000 in premiums. See the additional information at the end of this article regarding Pope G. Garrett Sr.
Fairgrounds Park: 1967-2010
The growth plan of Austin Peay State University displaced the fairgrounds after the 1967 fair. In November of that year, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Association was authorized to sell its property to the University for $156,333. The Association was non-governmental, but the site was jointly owned by the city and county. The University had announced plans to use the space for baseball, track and intramural sports (and would eventually build the Dunn Center on part of the site). New sites considered for the fairgrounds included a section of Hwy. 48/13 (present-day Cumberland Drive), Hwy. 79 North near the Trane plant, and a site on Hwy. 12/Ashland City Road.
In May 1968, the Fair Association announced the tentative $100,000 purchase of a 147-acre site along Cumberland River next to the Cunningham Bridge, from Mabel O. Manning. The purchase was formalized later that year. Plans were announced to construct a fairgrounds, marina and recreation park on the site, but securing funding for the development of the site took a very long amount of time.
In late 1969, the Chamber of Commerce urged the City Council to apply for Federal grant money to aid in developing the new site, Fairgrounds Park, as a major recreational park, with all other local civic groups echoing their support. The Fair Association intended to reserve 35 acres of the site but to convey the remainder to the city for recreation purposes, as the city could receive Federal funds for developing the outdoor recreation site. The following site plan was printed in the November 4, 1969 Leaf-Chronicle:
The growth plan of Austin Peay State University displaced the fairgrounds after the 1967 fair. In November of that year, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Association was authorized to sell its property to the University for $156,333. The Association was non-governmental, but the site was jointly owned by the city and county. The University had announced plans to use the space for baseball, track and intramural sports (and would eventually build the Dunn Center on part of the site). New sites considered for the fairgrounds included a section of Hwy. 48/13 (present-day Cumberland Drive), Hwy. 79 North near the Trane plant, and a site on Hwy. 12/Ashland City Road.
In May 1968, the Fair Association announced the tentative $100,000 purchase of a 147-acre site along Cumberland River next to the Cunningham Bridge, from Mabel O. Manning. The purchase was formalized later that year. Plans were announced to construct a fairgrounds, marina and recreation park on the site, but securing funding for the development of the site took a very long amount of time.
In late 1969, the Chamber of Commerce urged the City Council to apply for Federal grant money to aid in developing the new site, Fairgrounds Park, as a major recreational park, with all other local civic groups echoing their support. The Fair Association intended to reserve 35 acres of the site but to convey the remainder to the city for recreation purposes, as the city could receive Federal funds for developing the outdoor recreation site. The following site plan was printed in the November 4, 1969 Leaf-Chronicle:
Development was slow, particularly for fans of fairs. By 1971, construction of the initial roadway, restroom facilities and utility services had begun. There continued to be much debate – and disagreement – on whether or not the site needed a multi-use building/community center. Then-Mayor Charles Crow remarked, “We can’t get 100 persons together in a local building without imposing on Austin Peay.” By 1972, the second phase of development had begun, including a sewage pumping station, baseball fields and a display area, but without any plans for permanent buildings that could support a county fair.
The Clarksville Jaycees revived the county’s fair tradition by staging the Montgomery County Jaycees Fair from August 28-31, 1974, at the Clarksville Speedway on Needmore Road. It was the first county fair in seven years, and featured drag races, a carnival, 4-H exhibits, a dairy show, gospel singing, bluegrass, square dancing. Admission was $1 for adults and 25 cents for children under 12. The Jaycees stated, from the start, that they would discontinue their fair if the Fairgrounds Park site were ever developed for a fair. The marginally-successful event was followed by a Jaycees-sponsored fair at the same site in 1975, and in 1976 at a site on Hwy. 41-A North next to the National Guard Armory. But in 1977, failing to secure a location and the Fairgrounds Park not being ready, the Jaycees did not hold a fair.
At long last, the Fairgrounds Park was ready by 1978, with a pavilion and a Jaycees-constructed horse ring. The county fair ran from September 5-9. Events included a Fairest of the Fair contest, a horse show, beef show, U. S. Army exhibits, and a wide array of agricultural and domestic exhibits. Attendance was about 25,000. The most popular single event was the Opryland USA Traveling Show. In an interesting experiment to gauge the fair’s impact on the local economy, the Jaycees used thousands of $2 bills when making change.
The success of the new fair site prompted a significant expansion for the 1979 fair, including a 2,500-seat grandstand, but the event was plagued by poor weather. The 1979 edition added a tractor pull, bingo, and frog jumping, tobacco-spitting and arm-wrestling contests.
The Montgomery County Fair Association, which had shown little interest or ability in developing Fairgrounds Park since its acquisition in 1968, finally deeded its Fairgrounds Park tract to the Jaycees in 1983. A permanent livestock pavilion was added in 1986, at a cost to the Jaycees of $60,000, as well as another 2,000 seats at the arena.
In 1990, the fair was renamed to the North Tennessee State Fair, with an emphasis on including neighboring Stewart and Houston counties. The truck and tractor pull was replaced by Monster Truck races. The event was moved to late May-early June starting in 1991, but unfavorable weather moved it to mid-July starting in 1994. The Jaycees had a successful fair run at Fairgrounds Park from 1978-2008, with long-standing elements including the Fairest of the Fair contest, an ever-growing midway, fireworks and a demolition derby.
From the time that the Fairgrounds Park land was acquired in 1968, the master plan had called for a marina at the site, but the costs of dredging made the idea cost-prohibitive. But by 2008, the marina plan was moving forward, forcing the Jaycees to find a temporary new home for the county fair. For 2009, the Jaycees moved the fair to Clarksville Speedway, where they had held their first sponsored fairs, in 1974 and 1975. The speedway location, of course, made it easier to host stock car races. The fair took place there again in 2010, but it became clear that Fairgrounds Park was no longer going to be the home of the county fair, with plans to transform the site into Liberty Park and construct an event center at the old fairgrounds site. The 2010 fair was the last one staged by the Jaycees.
In 2011, a new event, “The Fair at Clarksville Speedway,” debuted, hosted by Clarksville Speedway and Bikers Who Care. Attractions included a family circus, barbecue cookoff, demolition derby, drag races, chicken beauty contest, and of course midway rides. Over the ensuing years, different attractions have been offered at what is now, again, called the Montgomery County Fair, such as pig racing, BMX trick riding and a petting zoo. The Clarksville Speedway has hosted the Montgomery County Fair every year since 2011, with the exception of 2020, due to the pandemic.
The Clarksville Jaycees revived the county’s fair tradition by staging the Montgomery County Jaycees Fair from August 28-31, 1974, at the Clarksville Speedway on Needmore Road. It was the first county fair in seven years, and featured drag races, a carnival, 4-H exhibits, a dairy show, gospel singing, bluegrass, square dancing. Admission was $1 for adults and 25 cents for children under 12. The Jaycees stated, from the start, that they would discontinue their fair if the Fairgrounds Park site were ever developed for a fair. The marginally-successful event was followed by a Jaycees-sponsored fair at the same site in 1975, and in 1976 at a site on Hwy. 41-A North next to the National Guard Armory. But in 1977, failing to secure a location and the Fairgrounds Park not being ready, the Jaycees did not hold a fair.
At long last, the Fairgrounds Park was ready by 1978, with a pavilion and a Jaycees-constructed horse ring. The county fair ran from September 5-9. Events included a Fairest of the Fair contest, a horse show, beef show, U. S. Army exhibits, and a wide array of agricultural and domestic exhibits. Attendance was about 25,000. The most popular single event was the Opryland USA Traveling Show. In an interesting experiment to gauge the fair’s impact on the local economy, the Jaycees used thousands of $2 bills when making change.
The success of the new fair site prompted a significant expansion for the 1979 fair, including a 2,500-seat grandstand, but the event was plagued by poor weather. The 1979 edition added a tractor pull, bingo, and frog jumping, tobacco-spitting and arm-wrestling contests.
The Montgomery County Fair Association, which had shown little interest or ability in developing Fairgrounds Park since its acquisition in 1968, finally deeded its Fairgrounds Park tract to the Jaycees in 1983. A permanent livestock pavilion was added in 1986, at a cost to the Jaycees of $60,000, as well as another 2,000 seats at the arena.
In 1990, the fair was renamed to the North Tennessee State Fair, with an emphasis on including neighboring Stewart and Houston counties. The truck and tractor pull was replaced by Monster Truck races. The event was moved to late May-early June starting in 1991, but unfavorable weather moved it to mid-July starting in 1994. The Jaycees had a successful fair run at Fairgrounds Park from 1978-2008, with long-standing elements including the Fairest of the Fair contest, an ever-growing midway, fireworks and a demolition derby.
From the time that the Fairgrounds Park land was acquired in 1968, the master plan had called for a marina at the site, but the costs of dredging made the idea cost-prohibitive. But by 2008, the marina plan was moving forward, forcing the Jaycees to find a temporary new home for the county fair. For 2009, the Jaycees moved the fair to Clarksville Speedway, where they had held their first sponsored fairs, in 1974 and 1975. The speedway location, of course, made it easier to host stock car races. The fair took place there again in 2010, but it became clear that Fairgrounds Park was no longer going to be the home of the county fair, with plans to transform the site into Liberty Park and construct an event center at the old fairgrounds site. The 2010 fair was the last one staged by the Jaycees.
In 2011, a new event, “The Fair at Clarksville Speedway,” debuted, hosted by Clarksville Speedway and Bikers Who Care. Attractions included a family circus, barbecue cookoff, demolition derby, drag races, chicken beauty contest, and of course midway rides. Over the ensuing years, different attractions have been offered at what is now, again, called the Montgomery County Fair, such as pig racing, BMX trick riding and a petting zoo. The Clarksville Speedway has hosted the Montgomery County Fair every year since 2011, with the exception of 2020, due to the pandemic.
Geo. H. Warfield, President of the First Fair
George H. Warfield, a native of Maryland, was born May 9, 1804. His father was James H. Warfield who was born in 1750 and his mother was Ann (Gassaway) Warfield. James Warfield died in 1812 and Mrs. Warfield later came to Tennessee where she died June 10, 1849. George Warfield received a plain education in the schools of Maryland and as a young man entered the mercantile business, having charge of a number of vessels belonging to a wealthy relative who operated on Chesapeake Bay.
At 23 he married Miss Susan Waters of Maryland. They were the parents of seven children and came to Montgomery County about 1835. His wife died on October 12, 1844. On January 8, 1848 he married Miss Elizabeth Johnson of Tennessee. Her parents were Joseph and Nancy Johnson. To this union were born nine children: Amanda, Charles P., Joseph G., Nannie M., Pattie H., Samuel J., Laban L., Hanson, and Alexander G.
Mr. Warfield was the owner of a large tract of land in the Idaho Springs area where one of his grandsons, C. P. Warfield, now lives (1960). He became a wealthy man. He was a stockholder and a director of the First National Bank which was chartered in 1865. He was the President of the Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Society when that group held the first County Democrat. When Mr. Warfield died, December 9, 1870, having been ill of pneumonia for several days. The Tobacco Leaf, a Clarksville paper, wrote of him in this manner: He was one of the leading public spirited citizens, a person of great energy who generally accomplished what he undertook. He enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and was a man of financial ability. It generally fell on him to manage guardian affairs and to settle difficult and troublesome estates. He not only accumulated considerable property for himself but was instrumental in saving much for others. As in other things so was he in religious affairs, being one of the most substantial members of the Methodist Church (Reams Chapel) of St. Bethlehem. Mr. Warfield is buried in the family cemetery on the Warfield farm.
It is of interest that when Joseph M. Robb qualified as the administrator of Mr. Warfield's estate and offered for sale Mr. Warfield’s personal property these were some of the things mentioned: between 30,000 and 40,000 lbs. of tobacco, 300 barrels of corn, and between 10,000 and 12,000 lbs. of bulked pork.
C. P. Warfield, a son of George Warfield and the father of C. P. Warfield of Idaho Springs and of Mrs. Frazier Ely of Clarksville, was elected President of the Montgomery County Farmers Association on July 21, 1883. This assn. held a picnic and reunion of the farmers and everyone else who would attend at Dunbar Cave.
Pope G. Garrett Sr. and the Negro Agricultural Fair
In 2022, the Tennessee Historical Commission, in partnership with the Tennessee African-American Historical Group, installed a historic marker commemorating the Montgomery County Negro Agricultural Fair, at the intersection of Farris Drive and Drane St. The reverse of the marker recognizes Pope G. Garrett Sr., the Fair secretary during the entire history of the Fair. The text of the marker reads as follows:
“The Montgomery County Negro Agricultural Fair:
Montgomery County African Americans held an annual agricultural fair in Clarksville from 1948 to 1962. The fair showcased achievement in agriculture, home economics, wood crafts, art, and foodways. Its many entertainment events attracted thousands from Tennessee and Kentucky. The fair also provided a chance to reaffirm community and identity in the challenging Jim Crow era.
Pope G. Garrett, Sr.
Pope Garrett, Sr. was the board secretary of the Montgomery County Negro Agricultural Fair from its inception until its end in 1962. A leader within the African American community, Garrett was a Montgomery magistrate, a successful businessman, an active Free Mason, and chairman of the Negro Progressive Club in Montgomery County. He insured the success of the yearly agricultural fair and was a central figure in the Clarksville community during the era of segregation.”
George H. Warfield, a native of Maryland, was born May 9, 1804. His father was James H. Warfield who was born in 1750 and his mother was Ann (Gassaway) Warfield. James Warfield died in 1812 and Mrs. Warfield later came to Tennessee where she died June 10, 1849. George Warfield received a plain education in the schools of Maryland and as a young man entered the mercantile business, having charge of a number of vessels belonging to a wealthy relative who operated on Chesapeake Bay.
At 23 he married Miss Susan Waters of Maryland. They were the parents of seven children and came to Montgomery County about 1835. His wife died on October 12, 1844. On January 8, 1848 he married Miss Elizabeth Johnson of Tennessee. Her parents were Joseph and Nancy Johnson. To this union were born nine children: Amanda, Charles P., Joseph G., Nannie M., Pattie H., Samuel J., Laban L., Hanson, and Alexander G.
Mr. Warfield was the owner of a large tract of land in the Idaho Springs area where one of his grandsons, C. P. Warfield, now lives (1960). He became a wealthy man. He was a stockholder and a director of the First National Bank which was chartered in 1865. He was the President of the Montgomery County Agricultural and Mechanical Society when that group held the first County Democrat. When Mr. Warfield died, December 9, 1870, having been ill of pneumonia for several days. The Tobacco Leaf, a Clarksville paper, wrote of him in this manner: He was one of the leading public spirited citizens, a person of great energy who generally accomplished what he undertook. He enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and was a man of financial ability. It generally fell on him to manage guardian affairs and to settle difficult and troublesome estates. He not only accumulated considerable property for himself but was instrumental in saving much for others. As in other things so was he in religious affairs, being one of the most substantial members of the Methodist Church (Reams Chapel) of St. Bethlehem. Mr. Warfield is buried in the family cemetery on the Warfield farm.
It is of interest that when Joseph M. Robb qualified as the administrator of Mr. Warfield's estate and offered for sale Mr. Warfield’s personal property these were some of the things mentioned: between 30,000 and 40,000 lbs. of tobacco, 300 barrels of corn, and between 10,000 and 12,000 lbs. of bulked pork.
C. P. Warfield, a son of George Warfield and the father of C. P. Warfield of Idaho Springs and of Mrs. Frazier Ely of Clarksville, was elected President of the Montgomery County Farmers Association on July 21, 1883. This assn. held a picnic and reunion of the farmers and everyone else who would attend at Dunbar Cave.
Pope G. Garrett Sr. and the Negro Agricultural Fair
In 2022, the Tennessee Historical Commission, in partnership with the Tennessee African-American Historical Group, installed a historic marker commemorating the Montgomery County Negro Agricultural Fair, at the intersection of Farris Drive and Drane St. The reverse of the marker recognizes Pope G. Garrett Sr., the Fair secretary during the entire history of the Fair. The text of the marker reads as follows:
“The Montgomery County Negro Agricultural Fair:
Montgomery County African Americans held an annual agricultural fair in Clarksville from 1948 to 1962. The fair showcased achievement in agriculture, home economics, wood crafts, art, and foodways. Its many entertainment events attracted thousands from Tennessee and Kentucky. The fair also provided a chance to reaffirm community and identity in the challenging Jim Crow era.
Pope G. Garrett, Sr.
Pope Garrett, Sr. was the board secretary of the Montgomery County Negro Agricultural Fair from its inception until its end in 1962. A leader within the African American community, Garrett was a Montgomery magistrate, a successful businessman, an active Free Mason, and chairman of the Negro Progressive Club in Montgomery County. He insured the success of the yearly agricultural fair and was a central figure in the Clarksville community during the era of segregation.”