In Memory of
Carl (Jack) Andrew Litten, 75
NOV. 24, 1932 — AUG. 4, 2008
He was an active member of the Monroe County Fair Board.
Fairs have been a part of Monroe County's history since its earliest days. The first Agricultural Society was organized in 1835; but it is not known if they held a fair. The first annual county fair of the Monroe County Agricultural Society was held in 1855. It was not the first fair; however, it apparently was the first one to be established on an annual basis. These fairs were discontinued during the Civil War, then renewed in 1868 and continued until the early 1880's. Early fairs were located just east of Bloomington on the land now known as Dunn Meadow on the Indiana University campus. From the early 1880's until 1946, the county fairs were held at various locations. In the early 1890's the fair was located in permanent brick buildings at the site of the present Duke Energy. West 2nd Street and Walker Street. For a number of years. around 1910, the fair was located at the corner of Vernal Pike and Curry Pike. People from town took the Monon train to the fair. During the late 1920's and early 1930's the fair was held around the court house square, with the 4-H projects being housed in the public library. The county fair was discountinued and became an exhibit of 4-H projects only when space on the square was no longer available. In the middle 1930's the 4-H projects were exhibited in the old high school gym, located at the corner of West 2nd Street and College Avenue. During the late 1930's and 1940's the 4-H projects were exhibited at the Ellettsville Fall Festival. The 4-H exhibits were moved back to the high school gym in the early 1940's.
1946, the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce began their ten-year sponsorship of the Monroe County 4-H Clubs by providing a site for the fair and funds for premiums. The fairs were held in the Indiana University fieldhouse, located in East 7th Street.
The Monroe County Fair Association was organized in 1955 and the fair has been held annually at the present site since that time.
Each year has added improvements through donations, a tax levy for a number of years, advertising in the book, rentals of buildings and facilities, premiums, and operation expense of each year's fair are visible evidence of the income.
We are very proud of the continued growth of the fair. In 1986 an additional 51+ acres of land was purchased adjacent to the present fairgrounds to allow for expansion.
It takes a lot of interested people working many hours to put on the fair each year. The fair board recognizes and appreciates this, and wishes to express their sincere thanks to all who have supported and helped in any way.
The County Fair is a high point in the life of the community.
So come, one and all to the County Fair!
- Monroe County Fair Board
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