This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 23 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Ames Times
Location
Ames, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Aug 26, 1897
Page
3
The Ames Times urges citizens to support the state fair describing it as a public institution by the people for the people. Secretary Palmer Clark stresses the fair benefits the community and that success brings broader advantages to every citizen of the agricultural state.
A prepared budget and reliable sources outline the Iowa State Fair and the Seni Om Sed carnival in Des Moines from September 9 to 18. Officials promise extraordinary efforts to enhance visitor enjoyment and urge readers to read the forthcoming columns, then attend the fair this year.
Des Moines streets glow with rockets and fireworks as thousands plan to attend the Iowa fair. Exhibits showcase Iowa’s best, while racing horses Indians and a musical peanut man electrify crowds. Night river scenes and citywide lights promise a grand old time for visitors.
A discussion proposes a statewide September harvest festival with church parishes decorating altars and a Thanksgiving service. The idea calls for a grand farm fair on the grounds, inviting all citizens to celebrate Iowa’s abundant crops and give thanks for bountiful harvests amid worldwide hunger.
The 1895 report notes risk Iowa’s fair could be moved to a neighboring state as peers in Minnesota Ohio Nebraska and Wisconsin boost subsidies while Iowa leans on gate receipts. By 1897 similar patterns emerge elsewhere and Iowa shifts toward user fees over state backing, risking reduced access to agricultural displays.
Outdoor enthusiasts are urged to camp on the fair grounds with shaded spaces and ample water. Free tents and equipment rentals are available, while on-site stores provide groceries and provisions at fair prices. Those without gear can obtain needed items on site, and wagon travelers can avoid rail fare by keeping their team at the gate all week.
The premium list lists new offers from the Moline Pattern Works for the largest swine department premium and from the Iowa Trans Miss Exposition for top grain collections. Awards include a Moline stock watering trough to the swine premium leader and monetary prizes of 25, 15, and 10 dollars for the best and largest collection of threshed grain in 1897 excluding corn.
The article explains two transit lines to the state fair grounds. The Des Moines City Railroad runs cars every few minutes from a central waiting room two blocks north of the Rock Island tracks on Sixth Avenue, charging five cents per trip. The Great Rock Island system operates trains every ten minutes from the depot at the foot of Fourth Street, at ten cents per trip. Both routes deliver riders to the fair ground gates, with the streetcar line passing the capitol and soldiers' monument.
The society returns to the former method for stock department entries with a ten percent first premium charge at entry time. This prepayment eliminates the exhibitor ticket and the previous ten percent deduction from cash awards. Entry deadlines: horses cattle swine sheep August 26 1897 speed September 1 1897 at 11 pm. All other entries close September 12 1897 at noon.
The Odebolt band has secured the contract to provide all music for the fair. The group will appear in new uniforms and a neat, handsome presentation. With twenty or more members, it is a well drilled organization of good musicians expected to make a favorable impression and boost Odebolt’s name statewide.
With experience from last year, arrangements for this occasion are certain to be smooth. Mr. M Newman will oversee everything, ensuring perfect setup and a hearty welcome for all members.
Parties desiring to contract for refreshment booth space or any privilege on the grounds in the nature of side shows should address J G Frasier Bloomfield Iowa up to August 21, then at Des Moines Iowa care Secretary Fowler.
Practical tests in the machinery department cover a plowing match corn planter corn harvester potato planter potato digger and road making machinery. Arrangements are complete and tests will be fairly conducted.
No intelligent farmer who wants to stay ahead can miss the exhibits at the state fair highlighting the newest inventions for simplifying farm work.
The Odebolt band will render a fine program during the state fair with selections to be played every afternoon during the races and at other times. The group is prepared for a continuous schedule of performances.
The state fair will feature Native American displays from the Winnebago, Sax, and Fox tribes. A veteran Winnebago chief Black Hawk, about 89, will appear with younger members to play Lacrosse daily, plus dances and an Indian village with squaws and papooses, beadwork, weaving, and games.
The Kemp Sisters Hippodrome features daily at the fair with a thrilling wild west representation. Genuine western cowboys and cowgirls ride ponies and mustangs in a display of bronchos bareback racing and equestrian stunts.
Dr. Carver, renowned world champion shooter, will present daily displays of his skill, joined by trained diving horses Powder Face and Cupid. No whips used as trainers rely on kindness, drawing thousands of visitors wherever shown. The fair secured his services amid heavy demand.
On Tuesday September 13 old soldiers are welcomed with free admission via county auditors. Generalissimo Stucky organizes camp fires speeches and a social gathering to honor veterans and their wives and widows who may attend for a final opportunity to reconnect with comrades from the Civil War era.
Black Hawk, elder chief of the Winnebagos, leads a selected band to compete against Sac and Fox warriors in lacrosse at the fair. The event runs daily with the players camping on the grounds to show visitors their traditional life in the tepee, a sight newer generations will find curious.
On children's day a special exhibition of drilling marching and calisthenics will be performed by one thousand East Des Moines schoolchildren. Each child will carry a small flag as a symbol of patriotism, showcasing the schools' training and discipline.
All branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows plan a grand celebration at the state fair grounds on September 15 and 16. The Patriarchs Militant will bring 600 to 700 members to camp, with dress parades and drills for prizes in front of the grandstand. Grand officers will have headquarters on the grounds and visitors from abroad are expected to address the gathering.
Superintendents across departments circulate opinions on outlook and new features. Premiums rise for horses and cattle with three heat racing, expert judges, and expanded dairy and corn displays. New exhibits include Iowa manufacturers and machinery innovations in dairy, with rapid prize awards planned.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.