The Seneca County Fair Through the Years
"I allus like to go with pap
When we go to the county fair
We allus has just heaps of fun
Seeing everything that’s there
And he gives us each a quarter
He han’t stingy, I’ll tell you that.
And when we get into the gate
He sez, clear out now boys scat!’’
– anonymous
The first Seneca County Fair was a two-day event held just east of the Rock Creek bridge on Market Street October 19-20, 1842. Over the years interest declined and was then renewed. One year the fair was held on two acres of leased ground on the river bank just east of the old brewery in 1851.
In 1864 the fair was postponed due to the Civil War. Then in 1866 the Fair Society took title to 23 acres east of Tiffin. What remains of that first real fairgrounds is the site where the Tiffin City Schools maintenance garage stands on Perry Street. By 1891 attendance had fallen off and the Fair Society disbanded and the land in the east of town was deeded to the County Commissioners. There were no county fairs from 1892-1901.
The present fairgrounds site was purchased in 1882 by Hiram W. Yeager, a prominent Tiffin stone cutter, farmer and Agricultural Society member. It was known as the Seneca County Driving park and many horsemen stalled and exercised their horses there.
Then in 1902, Morgan E. Ink was in charge of the Seneca County Agricultural Society and he devoted many hours toward making the 60th Anniversary of the fair one of the biggest celebrations ever. It was held at its present location on September 10, 1902. The new electric streetcar line shuttled people to the grounds, and every lane and byway was filled by early morning with families in wagons, and buggies, and men on horseback traveling to the fair.
Many fashionable men suffered under their high, stiff shirt collars and heavy mustaches. Most wore dark factory-made sack jackets and felt fedoras. The women were dressed in their finest high-necked dresses. Their hair was puffed around their faces and secured in a bun high on their heads. They wore tucked bodices of pastel voile and lace which rose above small corseted waists and full, often, flounced, long skirts. Many women wore gloves. Boys in knee pants and sailor shirts eagerly pulled at their father’s hands to explore the exciting sights. Girls in ruffled lawn pinafores walked primly beside their mothers, enthusiastically taking in the sights.
There was something for everyone at the 1902 fair. Livestock and poultry barns attracted some while others were drawn by the piano music that flowed from the arts building. The still new phonograph music was another attraction. Children, who were released from school for the fair, showed their parents the manuscripts and drawings displayed by the schools. The Second Regimental Band played in the grandstand, which was filled to capacity. Trotters and jockeys on horseback competed for $250 purses.
Businesses in Seneca County had spared no effort on their displays. Crobaugh and Dahm Hardware displayed hardware, blankets, and cutlery. Griggs & Co. showed upholstery, rugs, carpets, draperies, and stoves. There was an exhibit of pianos and furniture.
Farmers’ wives brought handicrafts and home-canned vegetables and fruits and baked goods for competition. The Tiffin Advertiser wrote, ‘’It is said that the stock exhibit is unsurpassed. A steer weighing 2,200 pounds is attracting much attention.’’ The Advertiser estimated that 15,000 people attended the fair on Thursday.
Unfortunately, by 1918, the Driving Park’s owners were strapped for money. The Seneca County Fair Company sold shares at $100 dollars a share and purchased the property from Fran and Elizabeth Callahan.
The fair continued to operate under that arrangement until 1960 when the Seneca County Agricultural Company bought the property and built sewer lines and added toilets to the property. Three years later they bought an additional 18 acres south of the fair grounds from the Tiffin Livestock Sales. Also that year the County Commissioners built the Civil Defense building.
The date of the fair was changed to July in 1966. The Kiwanis Club donated a new sign for the front of the grounds and three new horse barns were built. The Granges of the county also build a new building on the grounds.
In the fall of 1967 the grandstand was completely destroyed by fire but the present grandstand was constructed at a cost of $40,000 in time for the next year’s fair.
In 1970 the Weller-Wagner-Hoerig horse barn was constructed.
In 1972 a group of Jr. Fair supporters constructed an all-steel, 100’ x 100’ Jr. Fair Sheep and Swine building. Also Amsden Church constructed a pole building to serve food.
In 1975 the Jr. Fair Building fund added a 60 x 100 addition to the Sheep and Swine Building.
The biggest single undertaking occurred in 1980 when the Seneca County Jr. Fair Foundation constructed a 120’ x 300’ Dairy and Beef Complex at a cost of $150,000.
In February 1983 the fair bought the abandoned railroad right-of-way on the north border of the fairgrounds for $13,900. This has been paved this year and serves as a drive to service the fairgrounds.
In 1993 the Jr. Fair Foundation built the new Youth Center, 60 x 80 for $150,000. The new Merchants Building was built for $60,000 in 1997.
We can all be appreciative of the dedication and efforts of the many leaders and workers who have made the Seneca County Fair the success it is today. We thank Mary Lewis for sharing some of the information used in this article.
– Percy and Mary