Bourbon History: The Bourbon Fair
By James Bates, Jr.
For the Bourbon Sesquicentennial Committee
The Pioneer Farmers Club (PFC) had its beginnings as a literary society where settlers met and discussed every phase of farming from breeding of livestock to plowing for potatoes.
In March, 1872, a few of the residents decided to organize a PFC with the hope to organize a small fair or exhibition east of Bourbon on the Leesburg road at the #9 schoolhouse. This was for one day only, Saturday, Oct. 12. It was organized on the basis of free exhibitions of stock, machinery, agricultural products and anything else that might draw the curiosity of those in attendance. No money premiums were awarded, only first and second place prize ribbons. Admissions or entry fees were not charged. The expenses were defrayed by the farmers thereabouts and those willing to donate.
The first exhibition was considered a grand success with plowing matches, pulling matches by teams, horse races on a nearby race track, livestock classes along with the fruit, vegetables and field crop displays. Sheds had been built to accommodate the stock, but, when they were full, stock had to be tied to nearby fences until the fair was over.
The first officers of the fair were: William H. Sparrow, president; H. B. Burch, vice president; J. W. Iden, secretary; and Aaron Armantrout, treasurer.
Later fairs were increased to two and three day events at the #9 school location. More buildings and tents were used to accommodate the greater interest in the event and more classes or exhibits were added each year.
In 1877, the fair was moved to the Salem College grounds in Bourbon for Sept. 27, 28 and 29. It stayed at this location and sites adjoining for four years. When a more permanent site was needed, in early September 1881, eight acres of ground were purchased by William E. Bailey adjoining town west of Main Street in the 900 and 100 block north. It was requested that all able-bodied people assist in clearing the grounds and building the necessary halls, sheds and stables so the fair could be held the first week of October on the 6, 7 and 8th. This new fair site had more attendance and entries than any other previous fair except one. A nearby track was used for the horse races. Fairs were held at this site until 1888. Fairs for 1889-90 were canceled because of the lack of public interest.
In May of 1891 a meeting was held to discuss the possibility of establishing a new fair for the fall. From this meeting, the Bourbon Fair Association was formed under Indiana law. Officers were: J. W. Eidson, president; Joseph Coar, vice president; J. H. Matchette, treasurer; and G. D. Ettinger, secretary. Directors were: Simeon Lewallen, Wm. H. Bowman, C. W. Shakes, August Weissert, John Listenfelt, Thomas Lee, Matthew Erwin, Graham Rose and G. D. Ettinger.
Larger and more accessible grounds were needed. To get the capital needed for improvements, it was decided to sell 100 shares at $50 each. By late June, $4,000 had been raised to purchase from George Williams, 35 acres adjoining the east side of town with hopes of erecting buildings, leveling the ground and grading out a one-half mile track for horse races.
The fair was now a certainty; a large force of men and teams were at work all summer on the new grounds. Buildings, sheds, stalls and a grandstand were being pushed to completion and a new fence was installed around the grounds. The PFC buildings were either sold to the new association, moved them in one piece or tore them apart and used them in constructing new ones.
The stockholders of PFC eventually dissolved and sold their grounds. Many of them joined the Bourbon Fair Association.
The 1891 fair was held for four days in October (13-16) and, by newspaper accounts, was considered the biggest fair to ever be held in Marshall County with perfect success in every department and exhibit. This fair was the beginning of something big in Bourbon for the next 72 years.
In time, new buildings were added, more attractions brought in and different classes were added. The original grandstand was expanded on the north and south ends at least three times, to accommodate the ever-increasing love for horse racing. Many times, it still could not hold the crowds.
The business district of downtown Bourbon benefited from the immense crowds coming to the fair. The Pennsylvania Railroad ran special trains to and from Bourbon; the hotels, stores, liveries and even the citizens benefited by the once-a-year financial boost.
The attraction the Bourbon Fair garnered seemed to diminish in the late 1950s. The incurred debt and competition with other local fairs took its toll. Fair dates were moved from the traditional September and October months to July. New attractions were added but it seemed the fair was doomed.
The last fair held at the old Bourbon Fairgrounds was July 23-28, 1962. The last officers were: Faith Shearer, president; Jonathan Marshall; vice president; Shirley Apple, secretary; and Herschel Apple, treasurer. Directors were: Lloyd Heckaman, Lee Listenfelt, Chester Hall, Enos Metheny and Wayne Metheny. A board was elected for 1963 but no fair was held.
The majority of stockholders decided to dispose of the fairgrounds and personal property, pay off the debts, and if anything was left to cash in the stocks. The grounds were sold to Tri-Township School Corporation (Triton). The last remnants came down in 1966 and the old fairgrounds is now an athletic complex.
For some who remember the Bourbon Fair, maybe you can sit in your vehicle on the side streets and hear some distant sounds of the local bands playing, the merry-go-round, the livestock, announcer at the race track, the smells of cotton candy, peanuts, popcorn and all of the other things that were associated with the great Bourbon Fair.
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