25th St. Fairgrounds Feb 28, 2006 20:14:37 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2006 20:14:37 GMT -5
The old pagoda at the fairgrounds, which was restored and is now at the 4H fairgrounds.
Entering the fairgrounds from 25th St.
The grandstand at the fairgrounds.
Last Edit: Jul 11, 2006 20:40:59 GMT -5 by richard
More barns
Our horse " Red ", held by Marshall Kelly.
Barn C
25th St. Fairgrounds Mar 1, 2006 9:25:12 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Mar 1, 2006 9:25:12 GMT -5
George, those are ABSOLUTELY the greatest shots of the old 25th Street Fairgrounds! And please, do not resize the "Grandstand" photo. It looks so good that size!
Here's a picture I want to add here:
This picture was taken by Norman Morris on November 3, 1989. This is what the 25th Street Fairgrounds looked like when they cleared everything off for the new Fair Oaks Mall.
Last Edit: Mar 1, 2006 9:26:32 GMT -5 by David Sechrest
Post by nancs on Mar 1, 2006 9:41:32 GMT -5
Love, love, love these fairgrounds photos, George. And surely they will trigger memories. Not being nearly as organized as some on these message boards, and being able to 'locate' prior info posted, what I am about to add, may be a repeat of something I put elsewhere.
Out in front of the grandstand was where the Saddle Club frequently held horse shows, at least in the early 40s. Altho' I don't know for a fact, am guessing there was 'almost a circuit' of horse clubs that put on shows regularly, as I recall going to Brown County and Bean Blossom. as well. And Saddle Club may have used the fairgrounds site prior to when they had the Saddle Club Grounds.
This grandstand area was where the Saddle Club men would put on an exhibition of 'broomstick polo.' They used brooms that had been cut off to resemble 'polo sticks.' Don't think that this was a particularly 'safe' sport, as I recall my dad being hit in the face with a broom. Anyone else remember the jumping event, and the great jumps that Junior Albrant (sp) made on Teddy R.? Seems that pair was hard to beat!!!! Know that one year, when I was almost 6, I received an award, a trophy of 'Sparkplug, the old horse' for being the youngest rider in the show. And yes, good old 'Sparky' is still in the bookcase in my living room!!!!!!!!!!
During fair time, and perhaps other times, there would be horse races. Down at one end of the grandstand was where you placed your bets on these races. Shame on my dad, for allowing me, at a very tender age, to select a horse, 'Michigan 3rd,' and him placing a bet for me. Horse was a long shot, came in first, and paid this little girl rather handsomely. Hmmmm, might have been the reason I still love the horse races, and yes, placing a few bets on same, but never have repeated the thrill of that first win.
A tad off from the fairgrounds, but related perhaps, let's face it, one rarely if ever locked any doors when one went out. Remember those days? ? Our family, perhaps with the Talkington's, made our way for an evening at the county fair at the fairgrounds. AND we must have 'dressed up' for this outing, as I know I wore a little white crocheted hat. This was when I realized that I was one of those people that 'white knuckle' it on the nearest park bench, when it comes to carnival type rides, like the Tilt-A-Wheel. I turned as white as my little hat, and they had to stop the ride and take me off.
To further ruin that evening, when we returned home, we found that our house had been ransacked. It was a mess. We must have called the police, as I recall it said that it was probably the 'work' on some of the 'carnies' in town for the fair.
I know that I have put fairgrounds memories elsewhere, some in the clubs thread, for sure. What do others recall? Seems there were 'bumper cars,' does anyone else remember that 'scent' as you stood and watched 'the action?' What were the games that one could 'take a chance' on? AND the food offerings-------were those a part of the carnival group, or were they fund raisers for local organizations?
Hope that others will search their memory bank and add stories to go with the great fairgrounds photos that George posted.
25th St. Fairgrounds Mar 1, 2006 10:46:27 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Mar 1, 2006 10:46:27 GMT -5
nanc, this post will most likely come across as "gross," but...
In a time before you and I, one of the things that drew HUGE complaints were the "girlie" tents at the fair. In fact, one resident ran for some type of office on the premise that he'd clean up these type of shows from ever "displaying their wares" in Columbus!
Now, I know what I'm about to say is not politically correct today...
One of the thrills of going to the fair was the "tent of freaks." The barker out front would show you just a tad of things like the man who could poke nails into his head, or something like that. If you could come up with just one thin quarter, you'd see the show of your life!
I went to one. It included a quadraplegic who performed fantastic feats, having no arms or legs.
I didn't sneak in the back of the tent, like some people I know did. I paid my quarter.
I went in with a friend of mine. We stood right up front. Everything went fine until the man who could poke nails into his body came out. First, he took a HUGE spike and stuck it through his head. Then, he pulled out some rather large nails, and warned the crowd that "there might be some blood with this one," and proceeded to insert that HUGE sized nail into his neck.
Well, blood did pour from his neck, and my friend, upon seeing all that blood, immediately proceeded to pass out!
When he came to, I saw that he was ok and asked him if he'd gotten his quarter's worth.
Some crusader at some point tried to put a stop to the exploitation of the freaks in shows like this. They, in turn, retaliated, as most made very good money "doing their job."
Post by nancs on Mar 1, 2006 19:37:28 GMT -5
Not being a 'fan' of the rides, as a little kid, wanting to keep my feet firmly planted on 'terra firma'......... What about the House of Mirrors? And perhaps the "Glass House" or maybe it was called something about a 'mystic maze' and you had to work your way through. Scared me, until my dad pointed out that I could look at the 'worn floor' and have a pretty good idea of how to find the exit. Was almost as much fun to stand outside and watch others try to get through the maze. What place on the midway had the burst of air that blew up the ladies' skirts?? One and the same?
I remember the barker shouting to get one's attention for the 'freak show' and offering just a quick glimpse of some of the inside offerings, but don't remember ever 'seeing the whole show.' What about the 'gadget' where 'some lad wanting to impress' could hit a 'pad' with a huge mallet and register his strength? What was that called?
Remember the midway attractions---the one I recalled wanting to try was to knock over the 'coke bottles' that were stacked up in hopes of winning one of those huge plush animals. My dad, being frugal, took me aside, as I watched, and explained how the bottles were weighted and it was just a huge waste of money to attempt that game. I was allowed to throw the ping pong ball in an attempt to win a goldfish. Did okay on that one-----but poor fishie, I never managed to have one live a long life at my house.
What else was at the county fair, out at the 25th St. Fairgrounds?
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2006 21:51:14 GMT -5
Many events where held in front of the grandstand, in past years the Columbus Fire Dept. would have a fire prevention show during fire prevention week and this year, 1958, it was at the fairgrounds.
In the show that year for the clown acts were L-R, Ed Oren, Marshall Kelly, Fire Inspector Charles Miller and Mr. Miller's son, the one and only Smoky Joe Miller.
Post by Ricky_Berkey on Mar 19, 2006 21:52:10 GMT -5
What year did they close the 25th street fairgrounds and move it to its present site and what was the reason? Was it used for anything else before the site was cleared for the mall?
25th St. Fairgrounds Mar 20, 2006 1:03:56 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Mar 20, 2006 1:03:56 GMT -5
Ricky, when I was growing up in Columbus, Francis Overstreet, a very wealthy Columbus resident, owned that property.
It was a fairground as long as I can remember. That very early postcard on the Postcard Page of the depicts some of that general vicinity. Whether it was a fairground back then, I'm not positive, but I THINK it was.
There were two fairgrounds in Columbus throughout the 50's and 60's: the one on 25th Street, and the 4-H Fairgrounds out what used to be called Highway 31-A.
Mr. Overstreet was up in age when I was in high school (1968-70). He used to drive his big old cadillac around the corner of 16th and Lafayette s...o... s...l...o...w...
At some point, someone told me a story about that property, and the sale, but I can't remember it now. It was in a very prime location, and I have a feeling that Overstreet made a TON of money from it when it sold.
I left Columbus in 1970. The above picture that Norman Morris took was taken November 3, 1989, so the mall probably opened up sometime in 1990(?).
I think, on one of the More Pictures Of Columbus Indiana webpages, there is a shot of a used car lot that sat on the east end of the fairground property. This might have been where Prompt Med is today (thereabouts anyway).
The 25th Street Fairgrounds was a fairground up until the time the land was cleared for FairOaks Mall.
As far as fair-type activities going on there, I don't think there were any in the 1980's (George? EC?).
Also, George, you might have some info about this: didn't the grandstand fall into a state of disrepair in the 1970's? I thought I heard from someone that they stopped having midget races and the such because of this.
You don't hear much about the Overstreet family these days. In my time, they were one of the wealthiest families in Columbus.
"... money money money money...some people got to have it..."
Post by richard on Mar 20, 2006 12:55:41 GMT -5
Mr. Berkey,
On March 19, in the 25th Street Fairgrounds thread you asked the following question: "What year did they close the 25th street fairgrounds and move it to its present site and what was the reason? Was it used for anything else before the site was cleared for the mall?"
I found the following information on page 87 of Volume II of the History of Bartholomew County. [This book was copyrighted in 2003 by the Bartholomew County Historical Society. www.barthist.com/barthist.html ]
Bartholomew County Fairs date back to October 14, 1852 when a fair was held on ground which later became the site of Columbus High School at Seventh and Pearl streets. The twenty-fifth Street fairground was the location from July 4, 1910 to the 1960's. Heavy rains on opening day prevented the programs to be held and it was rescheduled for the following Saturday. That Saturday's event was a washout except the hippodrome and part of the harness races. History repeated itself 48 years later on July 21, 1958 when the new 4-H Fairgrounds opened with a sea of mud to greet visitors.
In 1893 the Crump Driving Park was used for harness races and was located at the northwestern edge of Columbus along the Flat Rock River. The park was between Tenth Street on the South and Thirteenth on the North and was owned by Francis T. "Frank" Crump. At that time the Indianapolis Road crossed the Flat Rock River and made a dogleg turn at the east side of the Park and entered town on Brown Street. This site became the fairground around 1905.
The twenty-fifth Street site was owned by Francis M. Overstreet, a grandson of Francis T. Crump.
The 4-H Clubs were sponsored by the extension service and greatly expanded their membership in the 1930's and 40's. Soon the grounds were full of 4-H youngsters with their exhibits as numerous at the traditional open-class competitions. In 1938 lights were installed around the race track and night racing began. Special events were held over the years such as the Indianapolis Newsboys Band, the WLW Boone County Jamboree, auto thrill shows, rodeos, WLS National Barn Dance, greyhound dog races, thoroughbred racing, horse shows, wrestling and coon dog races.
As the city grew around the grounds complaints became widespread! Parked cars blocked the streets and driveways, and yards were littered with trash. In the mid 1950's the 4-H organization requested a number of changes. When a satisfactory mutual agreement could not be reached, the 4-H organization decided to establish a separate fairground at the current site.
In 1964 Arnold "Smoky Joe" Miller, in charge of the racing program, announced the races would not be held, ending a 70-year tradition. Several programs were held of various types. The last of those programs was held in 1973.
Mr. Overstreet who leased the land to the fair association for more than 60 years died December 22, 1977, and his will specified that the fairgrounds and his home at Eleventh and Washington streets were to be given to the Boy Scouts of America for "support of rural Scouting." The will was contested and after litigation it was settled on January 11, 1986. There after the fairground and home were sold. In the summer of 1985 plans for a new shopping mall were announced.
After a spontaneous community movement began the developers of the mall gave the old pagoda to the local Preserve to Enjoy organization and it was moved to the 4-H Fairgrounds on July 14, 1989. The mall name "FairOaks" is in memory of the old fairgrounds and the aged trees that stood on those grounds.
This is my note and not in the book. It runs in my mind that the "girly shows" was one of the driving forces of the changes that were requested in mid 1950's. I can recall reading that a member of the 4-H fair board stated that "you will never see a girly show at our fair!"
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2006 19:58:15 GMT -5
In the early 1950's the Columbus Fire Dept. sponsored a motorcycle race at the 25th St. Fairgrounds.
Selling tickets at the entrance at the fairgrounds are fire dept. members, L-R , Bud Kline, Bus Adams, Lawrence Siekman, Ed Harris, Frank Strohe ,on motorcycle but not a member of the dept. is Ralph Vogel.
Another race picture
Last Edit: Mar 23, 2006 11:35:50 GMT -5 by Deleted
Racing at the fairgrounds
Motorcycle racing at the Fairgrounds
25th St. Fairgrounds Jul 4, 2006 7:43:39 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Jul 4, 2006 7:43:39 GMT -5
Happy July 4th, 2006.
Having searched the boards, as I really thought I had posted this memory somewhere, and perhaps I did, back before I was a registered member, not knowing any better at the time.
Back in the late 40s into maybe 1950ish, the local fireworks show was at the 25th St. Fairgrounds. Our family would be joined by other 'horse people' and ride to the fairgrounds to watch the fireworks show-----free of charge -----from a vantage point at the NW corner of the track.
Was a great show, BUT our 'seats' must have been right in the path of the cinders 'floating down' from the fireworks. Know we had to leave 'the show' before the end one time, ride to the hospital, and get a cinder removed from my dad's eye.
Perhaps not the best 4th ever, but surely the one that I remember.
Have a great holiday.
25th St. Fairgrounds Jul 4, 2006 12:25:21 GMT -5
Post by RER on Jul 4, 2006 12:25:21 GMT -5
"Daughter Rode Horse At Fairgrounds"
During the Vietnam War when I went through Da Nang Vietnam and on to Thailand, my family stayed in Columbus that one year. Charlie Stearman (Bill's Dad) had a beautiful blond horse stabled at the fairgrounds. The horse almost looked like Roy Roger's horse. Anyway, the horse was named "Dutchess" and Charlie's grandson (Billy) rode the horse off and on in the mid 1960s.
Well, during that time our daughter was only about a year old. She was so excited as a young little lady to ride Dutchess each week, and sometimes 2 times a week. At times with mother and the Stearman's walking the horse around the fairground stables, she would fall asleep in the saddle, but held with many hands of course.
The ole fairgrounds was a great place that Mr. Overstreet provided for the city of Columbus. It had a lot of memories that will be forgotten or never told, but a great place to go during fairs, races, horse rides, and the likes.
Last Edit: Jul 5, 2006 12:21:03 GMT -5 by RER