|
Location: Grand and Natural Bridge
Ordinance 24004
Ordinance Date: 1908
Size: 131.46 Acres
Purchased for $700,000
Picnic and ballfield reservations: Call: 289-5300
Plant A Memorial Tree In Fairground Park
History of Fairground Park
In 1855 a group citizens founded the "St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association," which held annual fairs starting in 1856. Prominent citizens, under the leadership of Colonel J. Richard Barrett, founded the venture, which was not intended to pay dividends. All profits were to expand and beautify the fairgrounds.
A site of 50 acres at the northwest corner of Grand Avenue and the Natural Bridge Plank Road was purchased from Col. John O'Fallon for $50,000. It was well outside the city limits -- an hour's journey from the city by horse-drawn carriage. The area was landscaped and they built what was then the largest amphitheater in America. This structure had two tiers of seats, seating 12,000 plus standing room for 24,000. Newspaper accounts tell of 100,000 persons being packed into the facility to witness a special attraction.
The fair was an immediate success and soon became noted all over the country. It was, in reality, a gigantic country fair. There were booths for vending wine, beer, and other delicacies. There were displays of livestock, poultry, vegetables, grains, and the latest inventions in farm machinery, tools, household gadgets, etc.
The first buildings erected were the amphitheater, mechanical hall and agricultural hall. Additional structures were floral hall, the Gothic fine arts hall, and the wire gallinarium, a "Chicken Palace," three stories high for displaying poultry.
In addition to the exposition halls, a racecourse, grandstand and jockey club were built. During the hay day of the racetrack, some of the finest racing horses in the country appeared.
Prior to 1859, visitors to the fair had to depend on horse and carriage for transportation. In 1858 a violent wind and rainstorm made the roads to the city a quagmire. Hacks who brought the visitors out for a pittance now demanded $20 to $30 for the return trip. More than 5,000 persons had to spend the night on the unlighted grounds, finding shelter as best they could. By 1859, horse-drawn streetcars were available for a fare of five cents.
In 1860, the grounds were made available to the public for picnics for a nominal fee. The Prince of Wales was an attraction at the fair in 1860 and was greeted by a crowd of 100,000.
In August 1861, General John C. Fremont built a camp to instruct 20,000 men. A tract of 150 acres was selected, owned by Col. John O'Fallon, and was immediately west of the fairgrounds. Col. O'Fallon leased this ground to the government for $150 a year. The land was quickly graded, a drainage system provided, and barracks were erected. The installation was named "Benton Barracks."
In December 1862, the large amphitheater building on the fairgrounds was converted into one of the "largest, most thoroughly ventilated hospitals in the United States." It accommodated 2,500 patients. Numerous other buildings of the association were taken over for officers quarters, medical dispensaries, kitchens, and other military purposes.
A zoological garden was added in 1876 consisting of a monkey house, bear pits, and carnivore house, which were modeled after the finest European zoological buildings. Later additions were an aviary, outdoor pens for herbivorous animals, a lake and a grotto.
In 1893, the fairgrounds were enlarged to 143 acres. In 1902, the first automobile race in St. Louis was held on the grounds. The winner averaged 33 m.p.h.
The last official fair was held in 1902 after which it was abandoned while preparations were under way for the opening of the 1904 World's Fair. Another blow to the fair's revival was the abolition of horse racing in Missouri in 1905.
After protracted political debate, the abandoned 132-acre fairgrounds was purchased for park use by the city for $700,000 in 1908. With favorable interest by the park commissioner and the skill of landscape architect George E. Kessler, the park was dedicated on October 9, 1909.
All of the former fair structures and zoo buildings were removed except the bear pits of the old zoo and the amphitheater. In 1912, the amphitheater was removed and replaced by the city's first municipal swimming pool, then said to be the world's largest. This was replaced by a new pool in 1958 as part of the 1955 bond issue program, which also provided lighted ball diamonds and hardsurface tennis courts.
At the corner of Grand and Natural Bridge, the facade of the old bear pits still guards the park's main entrance like a medieval castle and as a reminder of the glory days of the popular St. Louis Fair.
 Official Web Site of the City of St. Louis
|
