The coliseum, built in 1922, is part of the former michigan stat e fairgrounds. The michigan state fair, the oldest state fair in the united states, was. The fair is famous for its food and beverages, and farmtot. Come join us for the 2020 genesee county fair august 2430, 2020. Long vacant state fairgrounds site takes big step toward. We are operated by a board of directors elected by the general membership during. Two nascar races were held at a onemile track at the fairgrounds. Sugar bears for sale at the michigan state fair duration. Also on site is the home that president ulysses grant occupied during his army years in detroit and the michigan war veterans memorial. Michigan state fair by john minnis and lauren beaver arcadia. They were listed on the national register of historic places in 1980.
M meeting ran 80 days from may through august, 1949. At this time the western michigan fair association fully intends to hold the annual fair as planned. What happened to the big stove next to entrance of state. Definitely keep up and support the channel by following the links below and giving my pages a. Jul, 2017 state officials say for the last five years over a million dollars annually has been spent on the maintenance of the fairgrounds, which is the largest developable piece of property in detroit. Idea to redevelop michigan state fairgrounds with magic johnson moves aheadthe plan submitted last year would redevelop the site for a movie theater, park, housing and restaurants at the former. The michigan state fair had been a state tradition for 160 years and held at eight mile and woodward, within detroit city limits, since 1905. Drivethru covid19 testing to start at michigan state. Lauren beaver is a michigan state university student pursuing a career in book publishing. Seabiscuit historical marker at the michigan state fairgrounds in. The upper peninsula state fair is a fair held annually, in mid august in escanaba michigan the upper peninsula of michigan. The exterior is printed with the article, state fair indian style, tracing the traditions of fairs in the city including native american traders gathering in time of cadillac, the 1849 founding of the michigan agricultural society, the various venues which hosted the state fairs, the detroit international exposition and fair, and the wartime. Detroiters and citizens from across the state gather to enjoy music, midway games, and all the activities offered by the nations second oldest state fair. Michigan state fair images of america 9780738577890.
City council approves detroits state fairgrounds purchase. First held in 1849 in detroit, the location of the michigan state fair rotated in the early years between detroit, ann arbor, kalamazoo, adrian, jackson, grand rapids, east saginaw, lansing, and pontiac before settling permanently in detroit. Entertainment diversity is the hallmark of the michigan state fairgrounds. Jennifer granholm axed the state fair, michiganders had been concerned about its future. Her action was a precursor to its devised privatization when gov. Mayor mike duggan said hes hoping to lure businesses to the site and perhaps turn it into a transit hub. Michigans first state fair was held in detroit in 1849.
One of the foremost advocates of an annual fair was the democratic governor of the state, ephradatus ransom. On permanent display at the michigan state fairgrounds is the 115 year old worlds largest stove, created by the detroit stove company for the 1893 columbian exposition. Future of the michigan state fairgrounds home facebook. The illinois state fair museum foundation was created to promote an awareness and understanding of the history of the illinois state fair. Since 1944 the iosco county fair has been showcasing all that the area has to offer. A michigan historical site sign is displayed at the michigan state fairgrounds in detroit, monday, april 9, 2012. Trifold brochure for the 2005 michigan state fair held august 10th august 21st. Clown and costumed character, 1910 michigan state fair dpl dams. The first official michigan state fair was held in 1849 in detroit, michigan. Michigan state fairgrounds coliseum, also known as the hockeytown state fair coliseum, is a 5,600seat multipurpose arena located on the fairgrounds. In 1839 a handful of michigan pioneers planned a state fair, the first in the country. Michigan state fairgrou nds coliseum also hocke ytown state fair coliseum is a 5,600seat multipurpose arena in detroit, michigan.
Michigan state fair by john minnis, lauren beaver alibris. Michigan state fairgrounds coliseum also hockeytown state fair coliseum is a 5,600seat multipurpose arena in detroit, michigan. Sep 08, 2009 detroit since 1849, michigan residents have attended the annual state fair, where urban, suburban and farm dwellers can pet clydesdales, attend rock concerts and watch heifers being born. On october 30, 2009, governor jennifer granholm vetoed legislation. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Rick snyder signed a bill in 2012 transferring the 160acre site at woodward and 8 mile road into the michigan land bank fast track authority mlba. Centrally located in the upper peninsula, escanaba makes an excellent home base for an upper peninsula vacation. Closeup of frank kulick in a ford racecar during the automobile races at the michigan state fairgrounds. Also saw the sprint cars at the fairgrounds on one occasion with the legendary gordon wooley from waco texas capturing the 100 lap main event.
The fair dedicated to michigan s agriculture and great natural resources is held every year at the end of august, ending on labour day. Home to michigan s oldest state fair, the up state fairgrounds hosts many large scale events each year. The michigan state fair, the oldest state fair in the united states, was held here until 2009. Medical tents are set up for the first day of testing at the new regional covid19 testing facility at the former michigan state fairgrounds site in detroit on friday, march 27, 2020.
The great abandoned michigan state fair coliseum youtube. The nations oldest state fair and one of michigans most treasured traditions is in danger of being blown away. The worlds largest stove detroit, michigan atlas obscura. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The northwestern michigan fair officially began in 1908 with the distribution of the first annual premium book, featuring a photo of the northern michigan asylum herd of holstein cattle on the front cover. The state fairgrounds has been purchased by the city, 142 acres, and joel fergusons group magic plus llc, 16 acres. Michigan history told in rich detail in books published by arcadia publishing. Check out our 4h entries, monster trucks, demolition derby, travis tritt and so much more. Airplane racing michigan state fairgrounds, detroit, mi. Pagesothercommunityfuture of the michigan state fairgrounds. The first showing of an airplane in detroit took place july 14, 1910. Fewer than 220,000 people passed through last year. This is quite something going on here at the state fairgrounds. Photographs of people vintage photographs the mitten state pioneer life history books the good old days wild west historical photos american history.
The fowlerville agricultural society is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation established in 1886. The coliseum, built in 1922, is part of the former michigan state fairgrounds. Detroit since 1849, michigan residents have attended the annual state fair, where urban, suburban and farm dwellers can pet clydesdales, attend rock concerts and watch heifers being born. Michigan state fairgrounds detroit tickets, schedule. Plan for former state fairgrounds site gets an urban vibe. Clown and costumed character, 1910 michigan state fair. Built by the michigan stove company for the 1893 worlds fair in chicago, the worlds largest stove weighed 15 tons and measured 25 feet high, 30 feet long and 20 feet wide.
Airplane in flight at aviation exhibition, michigan state. State fair, 1974, photo courtesy archives of michigan the image of the month for august 2007 from the archives of michigan. Centrally located in the upper peninsula, escanaba makes an. Michigan state fairgrounds coliseum the first official michigan state fair was held in 1849. Color postcard depicting the garland stove at the michigan state fairgrounds with a michigan historical marker in front. Michigan state fair by john minnis and lauren beaver. On the chilly snowspitting evening before the festival, authors and book revelers gathered at lake monster brewing to toast reading and the power of community, celebrating twin cities longestrunning book festival. Oct 24, 2019 the michigan state fair is also called the grand old state fair due to its rich history and traditions. I believe that thru using digital videos, this is the best way to currently promote these sites. I have decided that we need a national clearinghouse to let everyone know about the history in their own backyards before these jewels disappear forever. It surely was an exciting era in michigan motorsports history. Our website was redesigned, and many items have moved. For todays conversation, they went to the site of michigan s original state fairgrounds.
The image of the month for august 2007 from the archives of michigan. Hayes and his wife, lucy, visited the michigan state fair in 1879. The dates of the first annual fair were september 29, thru october 2, 1908 with admission set at twentyfive cents a day. Triannual atlas and plat book, huron county, michigan title from cover. The mi chigan st ate fair, the oldest st ate fair in the united states, was held here until 2009. Michigan had been a state only 12 years when the first fair was held at a site, about 20 acres, located on woodward north of grand circus park. Aug 04, 2007 state fair, 1974, photo courtesy archives of michigan. Find michigan state fairgrounds venue concert and event schedules, venue information, directions, and seating charts. The oakland county fair is an annual event held july 1019, 2020 at springfield oaks county park in davisburg, michigan.
Michigan state fairgrounds deal leaves detroit picking up. Virtually nobody paid much attention, but the last faint hope that the michigan state fair would somehow be revived ended this week. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Jack dempsey in detroits capitol park to discuss his book on the parks historical significance. The principals behind the 157acre project at the former state fairgrounds site in detroit say the current plan is better than its ever been. The allegan county fair funded its 24th scholarship program this year. Worlds largest stove burned closed an antiquestyle woodburning stove that weighed 15 tons and stood 25 feet high. Future of the michigan state fairgrounds posts facebook. Photographs included in michigan state fair are courtesy of the burton historical collection of the detroit public library, wayne state universitys walter p. In this 1974 photo, six yearold jennifer weise tugs on a holstein cows ear. This years fair sees the opening of our new office, and addition of many new features and exciting improvements to our fairgrounds.
Feb 22, 2014 seabiscuit historical marker at the michigan state fairgrounds in detroit, mi. The historic state fairgrounds is an important site for residents, the city of detroit and the entire region, josh burgett, director of the michigan land bank fast track authority, said in a. The history and evolution of the michigan state fair, a private entity, llc the original michigan state fair, which debuted in detroit in 1849, was one of the first statewide fair events to. Tommy thompson won the 1951 event and tim flock won in 1952. Largescale drivethru testing for the coronavirus will begin friday at the vacant michigan state fairgrounds site on the northern edge of detroit. The big stove was moved to the michigan state fairgrounds in 1965, until it deteriorated. Hudson sold 5 acres of woodward avenue farmland to the.
Lines stretch for drivethrough coronavirus testing at. Also on site is the home that president ulysses grant occupied during his army years in. View of airplane in flight over field at aviation exhibition, michigan state fairgrounds. The first state fair was october 1, 1839 and was in ann arbor. Two days ago, governor rick snyder signed bills authorizing the state to give up ownership of the michigan state fairgrounds in detroit. Michigan state fair riding coliseum, dairy cattle building, and.
Up state fairgrounds fairground in escanaba, michigan. The 2020 eastern michigan state fair starts tuesday, july 28th, and runs through saturday, august 1st. Originally constructed to represent detroit at the worlds columbian exposition in 1893 in chicago, michigan stove co. Hudson sold 5 acres of woodward avenue farmland to the michigan state agricultural society in 1905 for. Reuther library, michigan and state fair archives, and promoter bob harris. Michigan state fairgrounds coliseum the first official michigan state fair was held in 1849, which is claimed by the state of michigan to be the oldest state fair in the united states.
Please let me know how im doing by commenting or reaching out. While the daytoday iron smelting activity of fayette ended in 1890, this historic state park keeps its memory alive. Original state fairgrounds site of diverse michigan history. Wisconsin state fair park wisconsin state fair park site. Detroit mayor envisions business, transit hub on site of.
Mar 21, 2018 detroit mayor, magic johnson firm eye business, transit hub at michigan state fairgrounds. Aug 31, 1997 even counting the successful 1849 fair as the first, the michigan state fair is the oldest in the country, but that fair was almost derailed by political squabbling. When the michigan state fair was defunded in 2009, then put in private hands and moved to novi, neither the city nor the metroparks system wanted to take. The michigan state fair riding coliseum, dairy cattle building, and agricultural building are three buildings located on the grounds of the michigan state fair in detroit, michigan.
Seabiscuit historical marker at the michigan state. Detroit the states sale of part of its former fairgrounds site to the city of detroit has closed, officials said. Frank kulick in ford racecar, michigan state fairgrounds. In michigan, the disappearing state fair the new york times. The michigan state fair michigan history the detroit news. And it probably explains why fair historians rarely if ever refer to the event, and instead start counting the fairs from 1849. Wmfa directors are constantly monitoring the states guidelines and updates regarding the current covid19 situations and will keep the public informed as changes to our scheduled events may be made.
History of the michigan state fair michigan in pictures. Wwj lines formed early monday for drivethrough free coronavirus testing at the michigan state fairgrounds at 8 mile and woodward. The michigan state fair is an annual event originally held from 1849 to 2009 in detroit, the. Local history books on michigan arcadia publishing.
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