The early development of Narrandera township on the Murrumbidgee River began in the 1860s with the opening of land to selection.
The township's early dependence on the unreliable steamboat trade (that was subject to drought and flood) gave way to a new era of development and prosperity with the extension of the railway line from Junee through Narrandera to Hay in 1882 and in 1884 from Narrandera to Jerilderie.
The Borough of Narrandera was proclaimed in 1885.
By 1901 its population had doubled to reach 2,255.

Narrandera was one of the most progressive towns in the colony.
Its wealth derived from its strong pastoral and agricultural base and its location on a railway junction that gave rise to a diverse range of industries that processed agricultural raw materials: timber, wool scours, soap works, flour-mills and meat chilling.

The first pastoral and agricultural show in Narrandera was held in 1882, (the same year that the Sydney Easter Show moved to the Moore Park Showground).
The Sydney Morning Herald of 2 September 1882 described the inaugural Narrandera show as a great success.
Following an application to the Minister for Lands, the Narrandera Pastoral and Agricultural Association was granted a site of six ha (15 acres) as a showground.
The land was dedicated on 16 March 1883, a further 3.6 ha (nine acres) being added on 14 November 1893, and another four ha (10 acres) on 12 August 1903, making a total of 13.75 ha (34 acres).

The economic depression of the 1890s was followed by drought across eastern Australia.
The King Drought of 1895-1903 was the most prolonged since European settlement, its worst year being 1902-03.
The Narrandera Argus noted in 1902 that local stock numbers for horses, cattle and sheep had plummeted between 1901 and 1902 and there was concern that the drought would have an adverse impact on the forthcoming 1902 show.
The Argus commented: "It must be readily acknowledged that seasons such as the district has passed through must of necessity have a prejudicial effect upon all pastoral and agricultural products.
But when it is an accepted fact that of late years those who managed to keep their stock alive are regarded as fortunate, and that few farmers have reaped any produce - even of an inferior quality - it is unreasonable to assume that a show following seven years of drought is properly representative of the fertility of the district". ('
Narrandera Argus', January 30, 1902).

Reporting on the 1902 show, the Narrandera Argus claimed that the 20th annual show was "Successful Beyond Anticipation.
There was an overall increase in nearly all categories, but most noticeably in the Industrial Arts, where categories included Needle and Fancy Work, Drawing and School Work, Cookery, Painting, Drawing and Photography, and Fruit and Flowers" ('Narrandera Argus', August 1902).
The construction of the purpose-built Industrial Hall for the 1902 show arguably assisted in generating the increased number of entries in this category.

Agricultural shows at that time were significant events in the community and special trains were often scheduled to bring visitors from adjacent towns.
Narrandera's location on a railway junction and the showground's position within walking distance of the station positioned it well to draw attendance from neighbouring towns as well as the surrounding district.
The show was a collective demonstration of a community's ability and played a social, as well as an economic, function.
A community that could put on a good show, particularly in the midst of a severe drought, was demonstrating not only its capacity but also its resilience.
The purpose of the Industrial Hall was to demonstrate the range of art, craft, domestic skills and school work of the women and children of the district.

Reporting on the 1903 Annual General Meeting of the Narrandera Pastoral and Agricultural Association, the Narrandera Argus noted that the 'improvements on the ground at this time were ring, grandstand, sheep and poultry sheds, fine arts pavilion [presumably the 1902 Industrial Hall], caretaker's cottage, yar
The early development of Narrandera township on the Murrumbidgee River began in the 1860s with the opening of land to selection. The township's early dependence on the unreliable steamboat trade (that was subject to drought and flood) gave way to a new era of development and prosperity with the extension of the railway line from Junee through Narrandera to Hay in 1882 and in 1884 from Narrandera to Jerilderie. The Borough of Narrandera was proclaimed in 1885. By 1901 its population had doubled to reach 2,255.
Narrandera was one of the most progressive towns in the colony. Its wealth derived from its strong pastoral and agricultural base and its location on a railway junction that gave rise to a diverse range of industries that processed agricultural raw materials: timber, wool scours, soap works, flour-mills and meat chilling.
The first pastoral and agricultural show in Narrandera was held in 1882, (the same year that the Sydney Easter Show moved to the Moore Park Showground). The Sydney Morning Herald of 2 September 1882 described the inaugural Narrandera show as a great success. Following an application to the Minister for Lands, the Narrandera Pastoral and Agricultural Association was granted a site of six ha (15 acres) as a showground. The land was dedicated on 16 March 1883, a further 3.6 ha (nine acres) being added on 14 November 1893, and another four ha (10 acres) on 12 August 1903, making a total of 13.75 ha (34 acres).
The economic depression of the 1890s was followed by drought across eastern Australia. The King Drought of 1895-1903 was the most prolonged since European settlement, its worst year being 1902-03. The Narrandera Argus noted in 1902 that local stock numbers for horses, cattle and sheep had plummeted between 1901 and 1902 and there was concern that the drought would have an adverse impact on the forthcoming 1902 show. The Argus commented: "It must be readily acknowledged that seasons such as the district has passed through must of necessity have a prejudicial effect upon all pastoral and agricultural products. But when it is an accepted fact that of late years those who managed to keep their stock alive are regarded as fortunate, and that few farmers have reaped any produce - even of an inferior quality - it is unreasonable to assume that a show following seven years of drought is properly representative of the fertility of the district". ('Narrandera Argus', January 30, 1902).
Reporting on the 1902 show, the Narrandera Argus claimed that the 20th annual show was "Successful Beyond Anticipation. There was an overall increase in nearly all categories, but most noticeably in the Industrial Arts, where categories included Needle and Fancy Work, Drawing and School Work, Cookery, Painting, Drawing and Photography, and Fruit and Flowers" ('Narrandera Argus', August 1902). The construction of the purpose-built Industrial Hall for the 1902 show arguably assisted in generating the increased number of entries in this category.
Agricultural shows at that time were significant events in the community and special trains were often scheduled to bring visitors from adjacent towns. Narrandera's location on a railway junction and the showground's position within walking distance of the station positioned it well to draw attendance from neighbouring towns as well as the surrounding district. The show was a collective demonstration of a community's ability and played a social, as well as an economic, function. A community that could put on a good show, particularly in the midst of a severe drought, was demonstrating not only its capacity but also its resilience. The purpose of the Industrial Hall was to demonstrate the range of art, craft, domestic skills and school work of the women and children of the district.
Reporting on the 1903 Annual General Meeting of the Narrandera Pastoral and Agricultural Association, the Narrandera Argus noted that the 'improvements on the ground at this time were ring, grandstand, sheep and poultry sheds, fine arts pavilion [presumably the 1902 Industrial Hall], caretaker's cottage, yar
Narrandera Showground Industrial Hall