Meghan Waterbury
Loudoun County History Project
The York Fairgrounds Part I Script
Slide 1 [picture of modern day York Fair]
Slide 2 [The York Fairgrounds: 1765-1848]
Pennsylvania is the home to many famous American historical artifacts and markers such
as the Liberty Bell, the Declaration of Independence, and the Gettysburg Battlefields; all of these
are located within 40 minutes of the city of York, Pennsylvania, a lesser known city. Not only
the “birthplace of the Articles of Confederation” (Bracey), York, Pennsylvania is the home to a
250 year old fair. In fact, the York Fairgrounds is the United States of America’s first
fairgrounds, and it was established 11 years before the U.S. had been founded as a nation (York
Fair). Initially started as an agricultural market, over the past 250 years, the York Fair has grown
to be a local hotspot for entertainment, annual shows, and national events.
Slide 3 [picture of York County Fair 250th Year]
The York Fair was established in 1765 when Penn Proprietors (of which William Penn,
the founder of Pennsylvania, was a member) issued a charter for two annual fairs (YCHT). This
is an image of the charter for the York Fair. These fairs were held in York’s Centre Square.
York’s Centre Square was the original location for The York Fair. This is located in what is now
known as historic old Town of York. At the time, York’s Centre Square was the common
meeting area of York and was less than 7 acres large.
Slide 4 [picture of charter for fair]
There is not much known about the York Fair during its first 100 years of existence. Lack
of historical records and photographs make it difficult to know exactly what occurred during
these years. However, some records indicate that during the American Revolution, troops
camped in the commons of the York Fairgrounds (York Fair). After wartime, the York
Fairgrounds started to attract more than its typical agricultural crowd when circus acts such as
the Swords Brothers, as depicted in this image, started hosting events at the Fairgrounds. Many
other circus acts made their way through the fairgrounds including acrobats, contortionists, and
performers.
Slide 5 [picture of Swords Brothers]
In 1815, a man named Robert Dunn was murdered while attending the York Fair (Carter
1). This caused an uproar in an already upset community. York residents who appreciated their
quiet town ordered that the York Fair, which had become a riotous event, should be ended. In
1794, one frequent attendant of the York Fair had this to report:, "During the Fair, which lasts for
three days in June and while Court is held (which is once every three months), all the Country
farmers and their children always come to [York] and then everything is good cheer. All the
young farmers, men and women, must have pleasure, as they have none the rest of the year.
People say nothing is more interesting than their loud joy and big kisses exchanged everywhere
by the sweethearts who fill the streets. So young people have an opportunity to see each other
and marriage follows; while the fathers get drunk in the taverns” (Historical Markers). After
numerous complaints, legislature took action, and the fairgrounds lay dormant until 1851.
Works Cited
Bracey, Kim C. "York City History." The History of York City, the First Capital of the United
States of America. The Spot Media Group, 2016. Web. 11 May 2016.
Historical Markers. "York Inter-State Fair Historical Marker." Explore PA History. Historical
Markers, 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
York County Heritage Trust. "York County Historic Timeline." York County Historic Timeline.
Double Dog Communications, 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
York Fair. "Our History | York Fair." York Fair. Rockhouse Sponsors, 2016. Web. 15 Apr.
2016.
W.C. Carter and A.J. Glossbrenner, History of York County From Its Creation To The Present
Time; [1729-1834] (Harrisburg: The Aurand Press), 1930.
Rachel Novi
Loudoun County Project
The York Fairgrounds Part II Script
Slide 1 [Introduction to 1849-1931]
During this time frame, the fairgrounds moved to their current location, served as an agricultural
center, and also were used to house Pennsylvania soldiers during the Civil War.
Slide 2 [windmills on display at York Fairgrounds]
The York County Agricultural Society purchased the present site for the fairgrounds in 1887.
The Agricultural Society purchased 74 acres of the Smyser farm located just outside the city.
The fair is recorded as far back as 1853, about two years after the Agricultural Society was
founded.
The photograph on the slide appears to be a double exposure depicting a man looking at some of
the agricultural products on display at the fair. The photograph is dated at about 1898, and based
on the dress of the people in the image and recorded time of the fair, it was most likely a nice
October day. Some of the products being shown at the fair were for windmills, which can be
seen in the background of the photograph as well (Lloyd 1).
“These were a common sight in rural York County, often used to pump water from the wells
before gasoline engines, and then electricity, were used for power” (York Fair).
The fair was often used as an agricultural market, a place for vendors such as A. B. Farquhar
Company, to display the latest models of threshing machines and steam engines.
Slide 3 [picture of horse racing]
W. C. Stick was a man of significance in regards to the fair grounds and their agricultural
purposes. He was a native to York County, an actively involved business man in the county for
the duration of his life, and made a lasting impression on the fair grounds when he originated the
idea for an agricultural fair (Gibson 69).
According to Gibson: “He is one of the originators of the Hanover Agricultural Fair Association,
of which he is now vice-president. His larger reaper parade of 1881 was an event of local
importance. In 1883 he originated the idea of an agricultural implement exhibit, and opened the
new fair grounds on the 3d, 4th and 5th of June, to a large attendance and successful exhibition”
(Gibson 69).
Slide 4 [The 96th Pennsylvania Infantry]
During the Civil War, the fair did not take place. Instead, the grounds were used as a major
quartering zone for Pennsylvania soldiers between battles or while they were traveling.
According to Prowell: “In order to fill this quota, the Conscript Act was put into force, and in
November, 1862, nearly 1,000 men from different boroughs and townships of York County were
drafted. These drafted men were quartered on the fair grounds at York, and their place of
rendezvous was named Camp Franklin, in honor of Major-General Franklin, a native of York,
who soon after commanded two army corps at the battle of Fredericksburg” (Prowell 378).
The soldiers stayed in the stock stalls, sheds, and any other available buildings, but there was still
not enough room for all of them and an armory. Board sheds were built in order to accommodate
the number of Pennsylvania soldiers, and the main building on site was transformed into a
hospital (Prowell 356).
Works Cited
Agricultural Fair. N.d. York County Heritage Trust, York. Universal York. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
Gibson, John. Ed. Clearfield Company, Inc. A Biographical History of York County,
Pennsylvania. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.1975. Ebook.
Kornbluh, Mark. “The 96th Pennsylvania.” Photograph. 1861. National Archive, Washington, D.
C. Web. 23 Apr. 2016
Lloyd, June. “Latest in farm equipment highlighted 1898 York Fair." Web log post. Universal
York. Word Press, 7 Sept. 2015. Web. 8 Apr. 2016.
Prowell, George Reeser. History of York County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co.
1907. Ebook. Second Annual Joint Exhibition. N.d. York County Heritage Trust
York. Universal York. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
Jessica Stopa
Loudoun History Project
The York Fairgrounds Part III
Slide 1 [The York Fairgrounds 1932-Present]
From the 1930s to today, the York Fairgrounds have undergone some dramatic changes. Many of
these changes are a direct result of war, and the wartime hardships that befall countries when
supplies of abled bodied workers are low.
Slide 2 [picture of York Bus Company advertisement]
During World War II, fair officials made the controversial decision to keep the fair open. After
the United States entered World War II, the first fair to be held in York was in September 1942.
Fair officials held the fair on the ground that it promoted agriculture and manufacturing. Samuel
Lewis, the president of the Fair at this time, released the following statement, “The first concern
of the management of YORK INTER-STATE FAIR at this time is how best to serve our country
in a great national emergency…The management of YORK INTER-STATE FAIR has
concluded that the best interests of our country and of our patrons will be served by continuing in
war, as in peace, to do what we may to promote the advancement of agriculture and industry in
an area rich in both of these essentials to victory, and at the same time provide that relaxation so
necessary to sustaining public morale” (Lloyd 23).
The picture on the screen is an advertisement put out by the York Bus Company during the 1942
fair. The advertisement depicts the effects the war had on the fair was well as the country.
Slide 3 [aerial view of York Fairgrounds]
Even though the decision to remain open was controversial, the fair officials did decide to
change the date and moved the fair from October to December during 1942. This is when the fair
is still celebrated today (York Fair 6).
Moving forward, the York Fair also made the decision to remain open during the long war in
Vietnam. And then in 1975 the fair was expanded to become a nine-day event including two
Saturdays and a Sunday (York Fair 9).
The picture on the screen, provided by the York County Heritage Trust, is an aerial view of the
fairgrounds. It is estimated that this picture was taken somewhere between he 1920s and 30s.
Slide 4 [picture of the York Fair’s 250th year celebration]
The fair was being held during September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Again, fair officials
decided to keep the fair open during the days following the attack. The Board of Directors felt
the fair was a showcase and celebration of American culture that had been attacked without
cause (York Fair 13).
Last year, the York Fair also celebrated its 250th year. The York Fair is one of the longest
running fairs in the United States and proudly holds the slogan “America’s First Fair.”
Works Cited
1942 York Fair Program. 1942. York County Heritage Trust, York. Universal York. Web. 14
Apr. 2016.
Aerial View 1920s or 30s. N.d. York County Heritage Trust, York. Universal York. Web. 14
Apr. 2016.
Lloyd, June. "York Fair During Wartime - Part One." Web log post. Universal York. Word Press,
7 Sept. 2015. Web. 4 Apr. 2015.
"Our History | York Fair." York Fair. Rockhouse Partners, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
York Fair 250 Years. Digital image. York Fair. Rockhouse Partners, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.