Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

The Georgia State Fair Macon, 1886-1960

Ed Johnson

Toby Graham & Ed JohnsonOnline History and Culture Updates: The Civil Rights Digital Library, The Digital Library of Georgia, and Georgia HomePLACEGOLD/GALILEO Annual Users Group ConferenceJuly 31, 2009

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Project Home Page

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Early Fair History

• Ancient predecessors• Started by Agricultural Society in 1846

– Stone Mountain, 1846-1849– Atlanta, 1850

• Moved to Macon in 1851– Old fairgrounds became POW camp in Civil War

• Moved to Central City Park in 1871

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Fair Committee, 1886

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Fairgrounds on 1889 Sanborn Map

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Macon Telegraph

October 25, 1908

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Eugene Ely’s Plane, 1911

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Fair Midway 1916

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Racial Segregation and the Fair

• Georgia State Colored Fair responded to restrictions imposed by Jim Crow laws

• Colored Fair operated 1906 to at least 1916• Main supporter was Richard R. Wright, Sr.

• Military officer, educator, businessman (1855-1947)• Similar to regular Fair but with unique events

– Ex-Slaves Day Reunion, started in 1910• Research on Colored Fair currently underway

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Fair Exhibits, 1920s

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Chicken Grill, 1935

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Advertising Fliers, 1939-1943

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Canning Demonstration, 1943

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Aerial View of Fair, 1949

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Livestock at the Fair, 1950s

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Award Winning Poultry, 1953

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

FFA & 4H Club, 1950s

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Fair Parade, 1951

Bicycle Safety

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Amusement Rides, 1950s

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Kids at the Fair, 1950s

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Cisco Kid at the Fair, 1951

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Daredevils of the 1950s

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

Fair Midway at Night, 1960

Transforming the System, Changing Lives, Strengthening the State

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