A view of the 92nd Lewis County Fair, August 28, 1913
Table of Contents
Our Story
Early Fairs
The formation of county agricultural societies had their beginning in New York State about 1815. The first agricultural society in Lewis County was formed in 1820, and the first Lewis County Fair was held on October 3 – 4, 1821 at the Lowville Academy Building in the Village of Lowville (current site of the Presbyterian Church). That first year, state funds helped pay for the fair, but after 1821 these funds were cut off and the annual county fair was held in many different locations, since the fairs were a financial burden for a any single municipality to take on year after year. Between 1841 and 1855, the county fair was held in Lowville, Martinsburg, West Martinsburg, Denmark, and Constableville, as well as other places where grounds were available.
In 1857, available land was acquired and purchased west of the village of Turin and in 1859, another fairground was purchased southeast of Lowville on the lower part of Jackson Street. Between 1855 and 1876, the county fair alternated between these two sites.
A Journal and Republican newspaper article described the Lowville grounds of that period aptly:
“The proprietors of the grounds upon which our County Fair is located…have been to an expense of nearly two thousand dollars in fitting them up for the greater convenience of both exhibitors and visitors. A new and elegant building, 32 by 100 feet, has been erected as an Agricultural Hall. The roof is so arranged with seats, that hundreds of people can be accommodated during the exercises upon the grounds with a view not to be obtained elsewhere. The old building has been divided into apartments, one portion intended for sewing machines, musical instruments, and other cumbersome articles on exhibition, the other as a restaurant and eating house.
A fine well has been dug upon the grounds, and water will be in constant supply for both people and cattle. 12 first class horse stalls have been built – 5 box and 7 open, and 32 stalls for sheep, cattle and swine. A new fence encloses a large portion of the grounds, which have been greatly improved in many other respects. A large crowd of people can be entertained with the most perfect ease.”
On December 27, 1859, the agricultural society reorganized as the Lewis County Agricultural Society, with the purpose of “Improvement in Agriculture, Horticultural, and the Mechanics, and the Arts.” On June 12, 1876, the society found a permanent home for the fair upon the purchase of 15 acres of land from the Bostwick Estate at the northeast end of the village of Lowville. This land would become known as “Forest Park.” Friends of the Association and interested residents contributed part of the money for the purchase and as a result close scrutiny and some public criticism was given to the financial value of the transaction. The property dealings were negotiated with D. C. West, which cost $3,150. Additional expenses for fencing, building, insurance and preparing the ground for use, brought the total to $7,467.50. Constructed soon after were a large wooden grandstand with a cupola; a racetrack; exhibit building (now known as the Antiques Building), and concession stands, one of which was for making and selling taffy, and another, currently known as the Information Booth, that still stands close to the racetrack. Between 1876 and 1924, horse barns, cattle sheds and additional exhibit buildings (no longer extant) were constructed.
During these years and into the 20th Century, the fair was the most important and exciting event of summer’s end. There was the excitement of what was new and different in living, with the competitive best to be shown of man and his world.
The countless hours of dedication by the directors of the fair have produced its betterment over the years in many ways. The concentrated attention given the choice of entertainment used to draw the crowds, has fruitfully gained revenue to improve the buildings and surroundings considerably. By 1901 the Journal and Republican was able to comment that “Forest Park is today the most comfortable, beautiful, and desirable agricultural fairgrounds in the Empire State.”
To this day, The Lewis County Agricultural Society, The Lewis County Fair Board (Directors and Associate Directors) put on the annual Lewis County Fair.
The First Fair (1821)
OCTOBER 3 – 4, 1821 | LOWVILLE, NY
The formation of county agricultural societies had their beginning in New York State about 1915. The Lewis County Agricultural Society in particular, was organized about 1820. De. Franklin P. Hough, Lewis County’s noted historian, best describes the first fair days back in the autumn of 1821:
“The first county fair was held at Lowville Academy, then occupying the site of the Presbyterian Church, on the third and fourth days of October, 1821. The morning of the third was remarkably pleasant. The members of the society convened in the morning at the inn of Jared House, where the badge of the society, a cockade of wheat heads, was affixed to their hats. In the meantime, the cattle exhibition were driven to the pens, on grounds now occupied by the Methodist church and its yard, and after the appointment of the viewing committees, the society proceeded to examine the stock… A calf raised by Mr. Charles Bush weighed 607 pounds, at six months old; nine pigs, likewise raised by Mr. Bush, weighed on an average of 221 pounds each at six months old.”
Lewis County’s first Judge, the Honorable Silas Stow, also held the distinction of being the Fair’s first president. An authoritative speaker, he paid far-sighted tribute to the farming communities of Lewis County, when he progressively envisioned those elements of agricultural changes evident to him. He planted the roots of determination and growth firmly, with a keen eye to the improvement of those agricultural environs essential to the needs of the county. His oratory added inspirational dignity to the local agricultural aims of the people and were prophetic of an excellence that was yet to come.
In his speech at that first fair, Judge Stow called agriculture “an art at once the most important, the most necessary, and the most honorable to men. It is the source of every comfort…the basis of every other art…” He praised the county’s oars, barley, peas, potatoes, and maple sugar, but felt that horses and cattle could be improved. He vehemently declared, “the degraded character of our cheese…is a deep disgrace to our county and calls aloud for a change.”
The Lewis Co. Fairgrounds
FOREST PARK | LOWVILLE, NY
The Village of Lowville has been home to the current Lewis County Fairgrounds since 1876. As the main gathering place in the county during the 19th century, the Lewis County Fairgrounds was the one place that all significant visitors to the area presented themselves. Presidents, governors, congressmen, heroes and famous celebrities spoke to grandstand crowds throughout the 1900s and all local matters of significance were celebrated at this site. Created during the horse and buggy days of the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, who visited the fair on at least one occasion, the Lewis County Fairgrounds and its annual fair have persisted through World Wars, Prohibition, Women’s Suffrage, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement and every other national struggle, and its programs often reflected these times.
As seen in the advertisement to the right, the fairgrounds was originally referred to as “Forest Park,” a name which the present “Forest Park Pavilion” derived from.
On June 12, 1876, the society found a permanent home for the fair upon the purchase of 15 acres of land from the Bostwick Estate at the northeast end of the village of Lowville. This land would become known as “Forest Park.” Friends of the Association and interested residents contributed part of the money for the purchase and as a result close scrutiny and some public criticism was given to the financial value of the transaction. The property dealings were negotiated with D. C. West, which cost $3,150. Additional expenses for fencing, building, insurance and preparing the ground for use, brought the total to $7,467.50. Constructed soon after were a large wooden grandstand with a cupola; a racetrack; exhibit building (now known as the Antiques Building), and concession stands, one of which was for making and selling taffy, and another, currently known as the Information Booth, that still stands close to the racetrack. Between 1876 and 1924, horse barns, cattle sheds and additional exhibit buildings (no longer extant) were constructed.
The fairground buildings were built of local lumber in the style of the region’s barns, with the Grandstand being a more elaborate example of the fine craftsmanship of the North Country. The Grandstand is a particularly rare and well-preserved survivor of the traditional 19th century American fair. Built in 1876, this building is one of the largest, intact grandstands in New York. An addition was made to the end of the grandstand in the 1920’s. To this day, it continues to function as the main viewing area for harness racing, tractor and truck pulls, and the talent show.
In 2023, a fundraiser was conducted to restore the original grandstand from deteriorating conditions. With the help of many generous donors and volunteers, the grandstand has been and is continually repaired and restored to maintain its historical significance and charm.
In addition to the Taffy Stand, also built in 1876, another of the earliest concession stands has endured, and has been converted into an Information Booth, which sits along the southwestern end of the racetrack, just south of the Grandstand and Fair Office.
In the summer of 1963, the Lewis County Agricultural Society entered into long term lease with the Lowville Academy and Central School for the rental of the race track and the land inside it to be used in connection with school physical education programs. In the 1970s, the original 1924 baseball diamond was replaced by the new football field and a new baseball diamond was constructed at the northwest end of the racetrack field.
Forest Park, the fairgrounds, has well erased the doubts about its monetary value since it’s purchase in 1879. It has been utilized not only for fairs, but many other community activities, sports games for young and old, and town mass meetings to speak and listen. Snowmobiling in the winter contrasts the sights and sounds of summer… Mom and Dad with children stroll through a maze of the old and new at the fair. Youthful grins, cotton candy stained, indelibly stamp the value of each footprint left on the sands of these precious grounds.
The Lewis County Fairgrounds to this day integrates the old and new – people, buildings, technology, and history. Today, many presidents later, the Lewis County Fair remains strong in its mission and commitment to serve as the traditional annual event
for the county, particularly its agricultural community, bringing information, entertainment and providing a forum for showing livestock and other fruits of the farmers’ labor. As photos and memorabilia show, the fairgrounds, with its huge grandstand, racetrack and other fine buildings have hosted and continue to host major activities in the county, and certainly in the village of Lowville, the county seat. Its regional significance is evident by the continued success of the fair each summer and the numbers of events taking place on the property throughout the year. Throughout its 150-year history, the Agricultural Society has maintained the Lewis County Fairgrounds in a manner that has allowed schools, community groups, and the general public to use the facilities for a variety of year-round recreational purposes.
The 50th and 75th Anniversaries
The phrase “down on the farm” carries with it many images of times past. The picture may be dim or sharply defined according to why it is remembered. In 1871, after 50 years of fairs, the Lewis County Fair reflected many changes indicative of the life and times of the American people on the farms…and therefore the majority of Lewis County residents, due to the agricultural nature of their lives. Improved machines are basic and taken for granted today in the magic of technology that permits the work of fifteen farmers to be done by three. When Lewis County’s Fair was fifty years old, the reflection of this ease came about at the fair by the stabilization of the Fairgrounds. The permanent location now made all improvements more valuable investments by the fact that they were there to stay. The exhibit buildings could better speak of the vast innovations in agricultural equipment methods and excellence settled in the ease and comfort of new buildings. With each year’s profit now the fair could be improved yearly and gave more impetus to its non-profit activities. At this time in local history, the Lewis County Fairgrounds were still located southeast of the village.
It was with the most perfect ease that the fair celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary. Honored guests included several who had attended the 1821 Fair. One of the more colorful of these was the 1821 Assistant Marshal, Ela Merriam. Amidst all the gaiety and with much fanfare, at the age of 80, Ela Merriam was promoted to Marshal. The drawing together of the very old with the new was noticeably evident that year. Horatio Arthur showed his newly invented potato machine. Uncommon antiques contrasted the newness in the ways of man with precious glimpses of the past. A powder horn made at Fort Schuyler in 1780, a cup, saucer, silver spoons, and a platter from England out of the early 1700’s, a homemade piece of flannel 130 years old, and a pair of socks knitted from the string raveling of cheese bandages apple of the people in the long ago. During the fair women served fruits, oysters, coffee and cider and everything was to be remembered.
Vast improvements in equipment for farming continued to be the major gain in agriculture as the Lewis County Fair moved into its 75th year. A Journal and Republican report on the 1896 fair described the innovations in farm equipment that was destined to make America the most well fed country in the world:
“Several manufacturers of farm implements have made cheap corn harvesters for doing the work by horsepower. These are simply made in the form of a sled, with large sharp blades of steel on each side extending beyond the sled. The sled is driven between the rows of corn, with a man to drive and regulate the cutter, while another gathers the stalks as they are cut and dropped into his arm. In this way, two men and a horse can cut several acres in a day.”
The Centennial & Following Fairs
The 1921 Lewis County Fair, the Centennial, was a colorful event according to the graphic description given by the Journal and Republican:
“A tremendous crowd was on the grounds, the chief attraction being the Centennial Pageant, which took place on the race track at 1:30 P.M. The line was headed by Glenn Smith as Marshall, followed by the old officers of the Fair Association in automobiles, after which began the representation period of 100 years ago. Step by step the advance of Lewis County to the present time was shown, all of the developments in modes of living and dress being depicted. Prominent in the line was an old ox cart drawn by a pair of oxen. Riding in the cart were Leonard Greer, Mrs. S. Brown Richardson, Betty Fowler, Phyllis Arthur, and Elizabeth Williams, all dressed in ancient costumes. Then came the overland coach, drawn by four horses, which made a stop at Dad House’s tavern and took aboard a party of old time pleasure seekers en route to the Lewis County Fair. Three floats presented the Grange and cooperative associations while another float carried a miniature church with a wedding party about to enter. Other floats carried spinning wheels and clothes looms in operation, a corn husking party, threshing grain with flails, modern threshers, tractors, and ancient and modern plows.”
Many were the changes that crowned the glorious centennial year of 1921. They were changes that gave a glimpse of today, for the present day Fair to translate into tomorrow. The age of speed was cracking through the shell of America to become the fast pace we know today. As mechanization became the way of life on the farm, and in every facet of American living, the face of the fair changed visibility to reflect this new identity.
The Home Bureau, organized in 1920, conducted a children’s nursery, a parcel check stand, and a very popular milk bar. Story hours were arranged twice a day for the children and over 600 lunches were sold. In a historical address, Dean Herbert E. Cook glorified those machine age advances made over the previous 100 years.
Equipment was valuable and expensive. In 1930, a public address system was installed for the Fair Superintendent’s convenience. The popular “Parsons” White would no longer ride through the town on horseback directing and announcing the day’s events. Gone was the drama of this particular flavor of 1876 showmanship…speed and convenience took its place. By 1948 J. H. Ross & Sons’ farm equipment was worth $30,000.00. The Ross family over the years have displayed such items of interest as the first cream separator, the first universal milker, and the first concrete mixer. The first premium won by the Ross family started back in 1893.
The Fair & World War II
World War II influenced some of the group activities and dedications. In 1941, there was a National Defense program one night with soldiers from Camp Drum, the WAC had an exhibit booth and all the war’s reflexes were felt at the fair in army exhibits featuring radar sets, guns, fighter plane engines, and bombsights. The war years were no deterrent to the continuing efforts of the Lewis County Fair in their service to the County.
Entertainment History
In the 1870s as the fair found its new permanent home at “Forest Park,” the current fairgrounds, a community band made the day’s activities more festive by marching through the town to the fairgrounds to the happy sounds of music. Visitors came in the early morning to picnic for the whole day under the trees of Forest Park. The carnival was its usual merry-go-round, ferris wheel, and cotton-candy. Baseball games, band concerts, speakers, and special events were more exciting for the fresh quality that comes with a new discovery.
There were balloon ascensions, airplane flights, and unusually daring acrobatic acts. An outstanding fireworks display, brand new to the scene, was donated by James E. March of New York City, a former Lowville resident. Two experts from Coney Island were engaged to fire them, and the extreme caution that publicized the danger of the event only served to create more thrills and suspense in the minds of the spectators. The popular attractions of the era were the Glendale and Turin Bands, fancy bicycle riding by Professor C. Fred Cope of Baltimore, and the hometown baseball game which was an everlasting important feature for the local participant and fan.
People came from near and far to stay with relatives in order to see the Lewis County Fair. Local transportation was a 4-Horse Stage from Port Leyden to Lowville via Turin and Houseville. The consumingly interesting agricultural displays of the times and the luxury of horse racing, filled every minute of the hour until the band played to the close of each day, by marching back to Lowville, wearily but willingly.
Some things were discontinued in this changing mid-20th Century period, others had their beginnings. Horse racing which was so popular before was abandoned in the 1950’s. The five day fair of the 1920’s became a day and night week long event, to accommodate those people now working in the daytime industry. Military bands replaced the old time community groups. Floats, firemen’s parades, pretty girls in cars were entering the ever-changing “stage of the people” from the theater of progress. To the horse-pulling events were added tractor pulling contests. Automobile dealer’s wares were an exciting addition to anticipate, the source of wonder and the dream of possession was for many families part of the day.
Many were the “firsts” of the early 20th Century. Many groups began at that time and many grew more important in size and activity. The 4-H club, which began in Lewis County in the late 1920’s, took part in the fair for the first time in 1931. Since those early years membership has increased considerably, as have the goals of exhibition of projects displayed by the young people. Grange booths originated in the 1920’s and the FFA started their display booths in the 1930’s. In 1957 the Grange held its own centennial with floats and pageantry bespeaking the organization’s historical background.
One of the most meaningful purposes the Lewis County Fair can boast about is its healthy encouragement of activity with youth. With a nation torn apart with doubts about the young people of America, it is with a distinct sense of pride that Fairs can declare themselves a dynamic center for wholesome social exchange. As a place for wonderment and competition, they inspire young people to learn by doing, educationally and culturally. From the spelling bee, talent shows, and other youth and adult competitions, the Lewis County Fair continues to serve the community.
Premium awarding has always been the incentive for competition at any fair. In 1821 there was 300 dollars worth of premiums paid to four categories. In 1970, $16,000 was paid to 16 categories.
Country music concerts have long been a tradition the Lewis County Fair has been able to provide to the fairgoers. From many notable names like Little Jimmy Dickens, Stella Parton, Kitty Wells, Tammy Wynette, Box Car Willie, Jim Ed Brown, and local star Patti Stanford, to recent stars like David Lee Murphy, Eric Church, Randy Houser, Jon Pardi, and Travis Tritt. In the absence of a concert, or in some cases accompanying, other shows such as the Joie Chitwood Hell Drivers, Hollywood Thrill Show, rodeos, and circuses have won the memories of fairgoers. We hope that the tradition of memorable entertainment continues for many many years to come at the great Lewis County Fair!
The original purpose of the Lewis County Fair was to improve agriculture in the county. That purpose has grown to include much more. It has encouraged citizens young and old to improve their skills through honest competition, while at the same time giving wholesome pleasure and entertainment. The striving for excellence inert in the activities has moved itself outward to include the physical surroundings and bring together the unified feeling of the “hometown!” The get-together principle is that spirit, that intangible something that has made the Lewis County Fair reach old age through all of its many changes.
"The Big Cheese"
In his speech at the first fair (1821), Judge Stow, the fair president at the time, called agriculture “an art at once the most important, the most necessary, and the most honorable to men. It is the source of every comfort…the basis of every other art…” He praised the county’s oars, barley, peas, potatoes, and maple sugar, but felt that horses and cattle could be improved. He vehemently declared, “the degraded character of our cheese…is a deep disgrace to our county and calls aloud for a change.”
The change was a distinct one. There soon came a time in the 1900’s when there were just as many cheese factories devoted to improving the quality of Lewis County’s cheese as there were schools to improve the minds of its young. “The Big Cheese” became a well-known trademark of Lewis County by 1926, because of a six ton cheese made in West Martinsburg. This superlative of foods was escorted by the Lowville Band and exhibited not only at Lewis County’s Fair, but at State Fair in Syracuse. In 1916, a five ton cheese was also produced at the West Martinsburg cheese factory to make its way to the World’s Fair in New York City. Needless to say, Judge stow stimulated ‘great’ change in the cheese producing “deep disgrace” of Lewis County. To this day “The Big Cheese” is still synonymous with the Lewis County Fair.
Taffy
The Taffy Stand, built in 1876, has long been known as be the oldest concession stand at the fair. Taffy pulling is documented to have taken place here since 1895 and until recent years, was still operated by descendants of its founder, Charlie Ryan, co-owner of a candy store in Lowville with his brother Jim. After Charlie, the stand was operated by his son, Charles, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Minnie. The operation eventually passed to Minnie’s nephew. Beryl Freeman, who began working the stand at age 12 and continued there every year until the late 1990s.
In addition to the Taffy Stand, another of the earliest concession stands has endured, and has been converted into an Information Booth, which sits along the southwestern end of the racetrack, just south of the Grandstand and Fair Office.
Parade
More parade history coming soon!
A Pandemic & A Fair
In the midst of a global pandemic, COVID-19, the Lewis County Fair Board had a very tough decision to make. The milestone celebration of the 2020 fair was canceled. On the morning of May 6, 2020, Lewis County Fair Board President Doug Hanno announced that the 2020 edition of the fair, the 200th anniversary of the event, had been canceled. Mr. Hanno said the difficult decision was made after a unanimous vote by the 24 voting members of the Fair Board. The board based their decision in part on guidance from public health experts.
“Based on this guidance and careful considerations, and the fact that our fair draws from so many different places, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s Lewis County Fair scheduled for July 21-25, 2020,” Hanno said. “We feel it is the socially correct thing to do to keep our patrons, volunteers and participants healthy and safe.”
Plans were made to hold the 200th edition of the fair July 20-24, 2021, while for virtual activities were also had.
Flooding
Strike One
On July 11, 2024 just five days from the opening of the 203rd Lewis County Fair, “Fairadise,” a major storm hit the greater part of Lewis County causing major floods not seen in 100 years. The fairgrounds weren’t any exception. Raging waters rushed through the grounds from gate to gate, flooding buildings and causing immense damage to the facility. With just a few days till the fair, work immediately began to ensure that this year’s fair would still go on!
Thanks to many volunteers, board members, and friends of the fair the grounds were cleaned up and repaired in time for the fair’s opening. But that isn’t where the story ends.
Strike Two
July 16, 2024, opening day of the Lewis County Fair, and of course parade day too, another storm hit Lowville causing more major flooding. This time, fairgoers were on the grounds, and so were animals, which added an extra level of concern to the matter. After successfully getting everyone off the grounds to safety, the fair once again had some difficult decisions to make. The fair was closed for the remainder of the day, in hopes that it would reopen for the next day. The parade which everyone looked so eagerly to had no choice but to be canceled, and the fireworks display to be rescheduled. Once again, through the generous help of volunteers, friends, and the fair board, the grounds were cleaned up quickly and repaired. The fair reopened the next day with a few changes, mostly to show times, parking, and the cancellation of the out of field tractor pulls. Though it was a tough battle with mother nature, 2024’s “Fairadise” was a successful year and was enjoyed by many visitors!
History is made everyday, so check back for some more history fun!
