Meigs County Fairgrounds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Meigs County Fairgrounds, Grandstand and Racetrack
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Buildings at the fairgrounds
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | State Route 124 near Rock Springs, Ohio |
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| Area | 11 acres (4.5 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001473 |
| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1982 |
The Meigs County Fairgrounds is a special place in Ohio, where the yearly county fair happens! It's located north of Pomeroy in Meigs County. Parts of these fairgrounds are very old and important. Because of their history, they have been named a historic site. The most important parts are the exciting racetrack and the big seating area called a grandstand.
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A Look at the Meigs County Fairgrounds
The Meigs County Fairgrounds is a large area where people gather for fun events. It's especially known for its annual county fair. Fairs are a big part of life in many rural areas. They bring communities together for entertainment and to celebrate local agriculture.
The First Meigs County Fair
The very first fair in Meigs County was held a long time ago. It took place in the village of Middleport in 1861. This was a big event for the people living there.
Finding a Permanent Home
After a few years, the fair organizers wanted a permanent home. Within nine years of the first fair, they bought the land where the fairgrounds are today. This gave the fair a steady place to grow and welcome visitors every year.
The Unique Racetrack and Grandstand
The fairgrounds has a special racetrack. This track was finished in 1889 or even earlier. It's known for its sharp curves. In 1890, people in the community donated money to build a grandstand. This grandstand was built right next to the track. Before this, fairgoers would sit on a nearby hillside to watch the races.
What makes this grandstand really special is how it's built. Instead of being straight along one side, it curves around the northeastern turn of the track. It's the only curved grandstand at a county fairgrounds in all of Ohio!
A Historic Landmark
In 1982, a large part of the fairgrounds became a historic site. This included the racetrack and the unique grandstand. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history.
The fairgrounds earned this special status for a few reasons. One reason is the unusual way the grandstand and track were built. Another big reason is its importance to the local community. The fairgrounds played a huge role in the social history of Meigs County. Fairs, especially harness racing at the track, were very important to the people living there. They were places for fun, competition, and community gatherings.
