1. 
2. 
Click photos to view larger.
1. Late 1800's post card.
2. New gate 2009. Horse and people no
relation to the 1800's photo.
MEMORIES
The "Good Ole Days", when money was scarce
and nobody knew what a credit card was!!
A.L. Laibe - July, 2012
1933?-1935?
I remember going to the Fair with my mom
and my younger sister Rita, who was three
years younger than I.
Sometimes, but not always we had a dime
each to spend. Rita, being younger, would
want to spend her money quickly. I was very
selective and would only spend a nickel in
the morning and save a nickel for the
afternoon. I liked to visit the area in the middle
of the race track. In those days there were
things to see and do in that area. I also liked
to watch the horse races. It was fun to see
around the whole Fair from in there.
1935-1940
I belonged to 4H. I am not sure what grade
I was in when I was allowed to join. My 4H
project was sewing. I started sewing
potholders and other simple projects.
As I got into high school, I made dresses.
A brown dress I made took first prize at the
County Fair. This qualified me to compete in
the State 4H competition at Columbus, Ohio.
I know I won a state award, but I am not sure
what award it was.
It is hard to see in my memory, with all the
dust and cobwebs flying around that my
baby brother has started up with all his
questions.
M.L. Johnson - July, 2012
1935-1936
Did you go to the fair? I believe I would
still like it in the fall, not so warm. It always
gave one something to look forward to in the
fall. I remember when I was little, mom and I
walking to the fair, we would meet Aunt
Alberta and Aunt Dale, I don't remember if
they had kids with them or not.
I remember the collapsable tin cup Mom
kept on her person for a drink of water from
the pump, not a drinking fountain. We would
eat lunch with the aunts. We sat on the
"running boards" on the car to eat our lunch.
When you went to the rest room, you paid
a Nickel to the attendant, (she wore a white
uniform) she would give you toilet tissue and
unlock the door if they had locks on the stalls.
She also kept the restroom clean.
We always visited the animals and all the
4-H booths. The quilts, produce, embroidery,
etc. We always stopped on the way out of the
Fair Grounds and bought Salt Water Taffy. I
think it must have been moms favorite. I don't
ever remember having much after getting
home, and she always bought several pieces.
When Uncle Art had his Foot Long Hot
Dog Stand, after the fair, mom and dad always
bought some left overs. We thought that was
just so special.
Hot dogs were good back then.
K.E. Croy - July, 2012
1940-1951
I remember what a treat it was for Aunt Dale and Uncle
Ernie Yaufnman to pick us up at the Hornung family
home on road M in their 1928 Chevrolet Two-Tone Blue
4 door sedan and take us to the County Fair. Most
times we would meet some of mom's sisters at the fair.
It was always a special treat to share the other aunt's
cooking. If my memory serves me properely, nobody
could match Aunt Dale's Little Gerkin home canned
pickels. The whole family used her recipe.
They still had "running boards" on the cars when I
went to the Fair also. I also remember the collapsable
tin cup Mom had. I was "always" thirsty, so I could use
the tin cup.
After we moved to town and I was old enough to go
to the Fair by myself, I remember getting to help
Uncle Art Croy at his Footlong Hotdog Stand (as long
as I did not get in the way).
It was a proud day when I earned "Fair Money" with my
paper route. I paid my own cash for my Footlong
Hotdog and for my Pineapple Custard or Pineapple Ice
Cream cone. No one can help me remember the actual
name of the treat, but it was Pineapple something.
Amazing what 25 cents or even a whole dollar
could buy you at the fair. During the early part of
my time period, the dollar was good for maybe two
days, if you were prudent.
Click to visit the
Putnam County Fair today
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