Logan County IL Archives History - Books .....Atlanta Fair 1953
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Book Title: A History Of Atlanta

THE ATLANTA FAIR

    The Atlanta Union Central Agricultural Society was organized in 1860 and
incorporated by special act of the legislature in 1861. A. N. Dills, A. C.
Barnes, Joseph Bell, Isham Atchison, G. N. Bryson, Ezra T. Kenyon, J. E. Hoblit,
Alex Downey, P. R. Marquart, J. A. Pitts, A. J. Ludlam and Ellis Dillon acted
for the society as incorporators.

    The early settlers saw the advantages arising from breeding a high grade of
stock and cultivating the more productive and improved varieties of grain and
fruit. They wisely thought an agricultural society would be one of the best
means to promote this end.

    From its inception, the idea was to conduct a union fair at Atlanta for the
four counties of Logan, McLean, DeWitt and Tazewell, since Atlanta occupied a
strategic position geographically and historically as to the four counties.

    Early in 1860, it was decided to organize a fair association as a stock
company, the stock to be $20 per share, 20% of the face value to be paid down,
30% when called for, and the balance of 50% in one year. In a short time the sum
of $4,000 was subscribed. April 2, 1860, a meeting was called. Samuel Hoblit was
selected as chairman and S. D. Fisher as secretary.

    A subsequent meeting was held April 20, 1860 at which the Atlanta Union
Central Agricultural Society was formally organized by the election of the
following officers: President, A. W. Morgan; vice-presidents, Isham Atchison-and
Samuel Hoblit; directors, A. N. Dills, A. D. Downey, Sylvester Strong, Jonathan
Merriam, Joseph Pitts, R. W. Burt and A. C. Barnes. It was also decided to
purchase ground and hold the first fair the coming October.

    The land purchased from John E. Hoblit consisted of 18 acres of rolling
prairie within the town plat and adjoining on the south, for which the society
was to pay $65 per acre. (To this original site, the society later added some 18
acres more. The site having been purchased, the 18 acres were enclosed by an
eight-foot high board fence and within this enclosure the first fair was held
October 9, 10, 11 and 12, 1860. The Atlanta Union Central Agricultural Society
obtained its charter February 15, 1861 from the General Assembly of 1860-61.

    At the end of a quarter of a century, we read from "History of Logan County"
published in 1886:

    "Few societies in the state can boast a finer grounds. During these many
years, groves of native and evergreen trees have been carefully cultivated and
now groups of beautiful shade trees are scattered over the grounds. An abundance
of water is obtained from wells. The buildings are convenient, commodious and
handsome. Long lines of roomy stalls for horses and cattle, a large number of
comfortable pens of hogs and sheep, a substantial machinery hall, an extensive
dining room, a large semi-circular covered amphitheatre, capable of seating
several thousand persons, a tasty and ornamental band stand, and an elegant new
floral hall for the exhibition of farm and garden products, fruits, canned
goods, fancy work, art displays, etc., all attest that the directors carefully
studied the interests of exhibitors and visitors alike. A circular race track,
facing the amphitheatre, is laid out in the east part of the grounds. A fair has
been held every year with the exception of 1862, when the Civil war absorbed
every interest.

    "It must not for a moment be supposed that all has been clear sailing, and
that their meetings have been a series of uninterrupted successes. Like all
similar organizations, it has had its ups and downs, its bright and gloomy
sides, but it has been especially fortunate in having a set of warm supporters,
who were neither willing to give up its life nor sacrifice its honor, and this
one has succeeded in riding every storm and has paid its debts, dollar for
dollar. At one time, its debts amounted to $2,700, and. the directors were
compelled to pledge their private obligations to secure them. At this date, it
stands free of debt with a surplus of $1,500 in the treasury.

    "The display of horses, hogs, cattle, and sheep is unusually good. Liberal
premiums are offered and closely contended for. This annual display of fine
stock has led to the constant improvements of the breeds, and has earned for
this section of the country an enviable reputation in cattle, horses, hogs and
sheep. Few finer rings, of draft horses can be seen anywhere than at this fair,
and the show of the grade and thoroughbred cattle is superior.

    "In the halls, the ladies vie with each other in canned fruits, breads,
cakes, fancy and useful articles, and the farmers in all the varied productions
of farm and garden.

    "It has been the intention of the managers to make this a stock and
agricultural fair, and they have offered little encouragement to racing. Their
is a good track where some trials of speed are made, but no large purses are
offered or special efforts put forth to make this a leading feature. Gambling
devices of every kind are frowned upon, the sale of all kinds of liquor is
strictly prohibited, and every effort put forth to maintain a high moral standard.

    "A list of premiums offered is annually published and distributed throughout
the country. It is carefully revised each year, and such changes made as
experience and the times demand. Since its organization, there has been paid out
through the various channels of the society, $85,836.14.

    "Authority is granted by the constitution to establish an institution of
learning in connection with the society, the object of such an institution to
introduce a course of a more thorough instruction in those branches of science
that more directly concern an agricultural community, as well as the arts and
sciences, and in connection with it to conduct a farm for experimental purposes.
Up to the present time, the society has never followed out this provision."

    The first annual gathering of the "Old Settlers Union" was held by
invitation with the Agricultural Board at the fair grounds September 7, 1880.
All residents of the four counties, who had lived in Illinois forty years, were
eligible for membership. Silk badges were presented, blue for those who had
lived in Illinois fifty years, red for those who had lived in the state forty
years. The society gave them the use of a pleasant grove, known as "Old Settlers
Grove," for holding their annual meetings and accompanying exercises. In 1881,
they decided to erect a "monumental log cabin" in their grove, each member being
allowed to contribute one log or piece toward the building. The building was
erected August 16, 1881, a substantial log cabin, 18 by 20 feet. The pioneers
also in 1882 erected a small cabin of unhewn logs, using neither nail nor modern
device in its construction, this as a monument to the "Snow Birds" or pioneers,
who had settled previously to the big snow of 1830-31.

From the Atlanta Argus of August 30, 1910:

    "It is hard to realize the Atlanta Fair has completed half a century of
existence. Such a record is unique among county fairs, the average life of which
is 25 years.

    "A considerable number there are who have attended every fair ever given by
the society. There were 54 registered who had attended the first fair.

    "One of the most striking evidences that a new generation has sprung up to
take the place of the early pioneers is the fact that yesterday for the first
time in thirty years, the first day of the fair was not celebrated as Old
Settlers Day.

    "Of the original incorporators of the association, not one is living. Of the
officers and directors, only one survives.

  "Tuesday started with the biggest first day in the history of the association,
receipts of $1,700 eclipsing last year's totals which were considered a record
breaker.

    "The Homecoming feature doubtless attracted many. Taken altogether, it was
such a success it will doubtless remain a permanent feature of the Atlanta Fair.

    "Wednesday was Automobile Day. Many autos were on the grounds, and it was
planned to get all machines on the track and parade, but it was impossible to
get the owners to take part.

    "Also a new feature was the judging of a herd of six dairy cattle by teams
of three boys from the four counties."

    The fair grounds were used for many and varied programs through the years.
The colored citizens of Atlanta and vicinity celebrated the twelfth anniversary
of the Emancipation Proclamation Wednesday, September 22, 1875 and had a grand
old-style barbecue to which everyone was invited. Hon. Shelby M. Cullom
delivered the main address, with Rogers' Brass Band of Springfield furnishing
the music. The C. & A. Railroad carried passengers for one fair and one-fifth.
Illinois Midland Railroad carried passengers from Decatur and Peoria to Atlanta
and return for one-half fare.

    Many big political rallies were held on the grounds. In 1908, Gov. Yates was
the speaker, with a barbecue as a feature of the day. Eleven beeves, averaging
850 pounds dressed, were cooked by steam by a steam engine forced into a
specially erected building.

    Fraternal orders held all-day meetings, with programs, drills and basket
dinners the attractions.

    During Music Week of May, 1926, the grade schools put on an operetta, "Fairy
Queen," before a packed amphitheatre.

    From a Fair Book of 1928, in a foreword, "To The People," we read:

    "In presenting our 68th annual premium list to our friends and patrons, the
management renews its pledge for a clean fair in every respect, and invites the
people to come, bring their families and dinners, meet and mingle with their
neighbors and friends under pleasurable and unobjectionable surroundings, see
the many interesting exhibitions, and enjoy themselves generally. Our motto: 'A
Bigger and Better Fair," is still in force.

    "When the present board of directors took over the management of the fair,
the association was $9,500 in debt. This debt has been reduced to $6,500, with
all interest paid, and all obligations paid in full. Besides that, the
grandstand has been built at a total cost of $2,800, the ground wired for
electricity at a cost of several hundred dollars, the barns have been repainted,
the grounds have been tiled, and many other improvements made, and all this
during a period when the agricultural situation surrounding us has been in a
state of depression. In view of the above facts, we believe that with improved
conditions and with the general help and boosting of our citizens, the debt can
soon be lifted."

    The weather for 1928 seemed ideal and attendance was very good. Yet at the
close of the fair, the management was unable to pay all their premiums by
$1,650, which was advanced by friends to make payments in full. It was decided,
therefore, to sell all property and clear the indebtedness. On January 20, 1930,
the real estate was sold to the People's Bank for $6,384.50 and the buildings to
individuals for $2,367.95. This was sufficient to pay all indebtedness of the
society if the $1,650 be not considered as indebtedness.

    This sale constituted the last gesture of this time honored organization,
and not a few present breathed a sigh of regret as they saw the property pass
into other hands and realized the Atlanta Union Central Agricultural Association
was no more.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

A HISTORY OF ATLANTA 1853-1953

Prepared by Citizens of Atlanta
As a Part of the Observance of the
Centennial, June 11,12 and 13,1953

THE PUBLICATION IS SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA WOMAN'S CLUB

Atlanta, Illinois 1953

Published By
The Stewart - Pinks Publishing Co.
Atlanta, Illinois


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