Old Missoula

Fair Grounds Purchased By Board

Fine Tract Of 80 Acres Selected In South Missoula By Commissioners.

An Admirable Location

County Dads Unanimous in Decision to Re-Establish Annual County Exhibit and the Choice of Site Meets Approval – Plans for Modern Buildings Now Under Consideration.

The county commissioners at a regular meeting yesterday morning decided to purchase 80 acres of ground and reorganize the Missoula county fair. Before their session closed they had consummated the deal and the county will come into possession of the finest fair ground site in the state as soon as the papers can be made out and delivered. The selection is 80 acres, situated on the flat just south of Homevale addition of platted property – practically city property – in south Missoula. The purchase price is $18,500 and considering the location the figure is considered reasonable and the property will certainly become a valuable asset to this county. The decision of the commissioners was pleasing to those about the city who heard of the transaction and the members of the board were warmly congratulated on their action. The buy is considered a good one from two points of view: First, the decision to re-establish the county fair is generally popular. Second, the selection of the site is most admirable and the price paid, considering the location, is most reasonable.

Unanimous Action.

The county commissioners have been working on the plans to re-establish the county fair for several months. With all the talk and the interest going on in connection with the fairs of adjoining counties in western Montana it has seemed very much out of place that Missoula, the mother county of them all, should be without this institution. With all her resources the advantages of an annual show of excellence can not be surpassed. From every standpoint, the commissioners decided that the thing should be done, this decision being thoroughly unanimous. For two seasons the Western Montana Apple show took the place of the annual county fair in a very creditable manner, but when the chamber of commerce did not provide a show this season the need of the fair became more apparent.

After making up their own minds the commissioners undertook a canvass of sentiment on the subject in all sections of the county. They found this sentiment all favorable and there could be no mistaking that any action the board might take to secure a good site and erect permanent and up-to-date buildings and improvements, would meet with the hearty approval of the voters. Thus encouraged, the board set about to select suitable grounds. They had many offers and for several weeks have been hard at work considering these, wishing to do what would be for the lasting good of the county. The problem was not an easy one, but there seems little question but what the action taken yesterday was for the best, everything considered. The first expense will be heavy, for the commissioners propose to equip the grounds with buildings that will serve for many years, and the purchase price will only be a portion of the total cost. But the 80 acres of land will grow more and more valuable. Being so close in, the attendance there, over what it would be at grounds further removed, will be increased in such proportion as to make up a large percentage of the initial cost during the first few years of the fair. Then the added convenience of such grounds will be appreciated by the people of the whole county.

Thoroughly Accessible.

The tract selected is the west half of the northwest quarter of section 33, township 13 north of range 19 west. It lies, as before stated, directly south of Homevale addition, an addition to the city already platted to city lots. It is only nine blocks from South Higgins avenue and the west line of the property is but five blocks from the track of the Bitter Root branch of the Northern Pacific railway. The county road, which is to be tied up with the Stevens avenue boulevard will pass along the north line of the fair ground site; and the commissioners have the promise of the street railway company that its line will be extended to the ground for regular service on or before the date of the opening of the first fair. This will make the location thoroughly and conveniently accessible by every means of travel. City water and light can be provided with but little expense for installation.

Lay of the Land.

The ground itself is almost perfectly even with just enough slope for proper drainage. It will lend itself well for the combination of main exhibit buildings, grandstand, racecourse and barns for the stock. In fact the grounds are ideal for the purpose for which they were purchased and as the various advantages are considered the wisdom of the commissioners becomes more and more apparent. The fact that the Missoula county fair has been definitely re-established is good news for the people of the whole county and the location of the new grounds and the plans for the permanent buildings will but increase the pleasure which the announcement carries. Under the new state law the commissioners of the various counties may appropriate more money than formerly for fair purposes annually. This insures better attractions and more things of interest and will make the occasions of more real values and pleasure.

The plans for the buildings are not fully settled except that they are to be as good, as modern and as convenient as any in the whole west. They will be large enough for present needs and so constructed that additions may be made easily in the future. No actual building is to be done this fall as it is the plans of the commissioners to make a thorough investigation of fair grounds and buildings of other states before deciding just what to build here. This will require a visit to a number of communities where model plants have been built within the last year that have proven satisfactory. This work will be undertaken during the winter months so that building operations can be started early in the spring and completed in time for the opening fair next fall.

The purchase yesterday was made from the South Missoula Land company, which was represented by John Deffenbach.

The article above appeared in The Missoulian on October 24, 1911.

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