Additional Buildings

When the 1937 fair opened, there were six new open stock barns, built at a cost of $40,000 to house horses, swine and sheep.  These barns were grouped in a row just south of the 4-H Club Building, and were connected by passageways so that fair visitors could inspect the entire horse, swine and sheep showing without leaving the buildings.  These six barns provided close to 65,000 square feet of area for the newest in pens and stalls.  Fair visitors will note that four of these barns remain, just west of the Industrial Building.

Another change at the 1937 fair was a 72 foot by 114 foot addition complete with concrete floor, which was added onto the commercial exhibit floor of the Agricultural building by means of an inclined ramp.  Specially constructed booths were built for the display of the educational exhibits done by the boys and girls from the schools around Clay County.  This area is now occupied by the Antique Show.

For several years, there had been a canvas dance tent with stone floor.  However, for the 1934 fair, a new and modern enclosed pavilion was built for those who wanted to trip the light fantastic.  The floor was about 50 by 50 feet, however, there were concrete promenades that brought the total measurements of the structure to 70 by 100 feet.  All the interior was finished in striking colors of black and orange, studded with shaded electric lights and several artistic effects.  Japanese lanterns were used in profusion and small oriental parasols in clusters added to the general decorated effect.  Unfortunately, this structure later burned down and was not replaced.

There were several other changes and additions over the years.  However, the largest construction project after the 1931 grandstand was erected, was the construction in 1954 of the Commercial Exhibits building, at a cost of $174,498.  The 208 by 136 foot building was built without pillar or support in the center in order to make the space adaptable for many uses throughout the year.  Contractors for the building were Spencer Construction Company, Pitcher Plumbing and Heating, both of Spencer, and Heidke Electric Company of Estherville.  The building was designed by James H. Walsh, Spencer architect.

The next large building change came in 1968, when the old wooden Industrial Building came down, to be replaced by a larger and more functional building.  This building is about 54 by 200 feet, with sixty-eight ten by ten booths.

The following year saw further construction at the fairgrounds, with the new ultra-modern swine barn.  The all steel structure was built to house 350 removable pens, plus offices for clerks and veterinarians.  It also contained a refrigerated cooler display to exhibit the carcasses of winners of the market hog show.  Another feature to the swine barn was added as a spur-of-the-moment idea.  Space over the offices was to be utilized as sleeping quarters for exhibitors of swine.  A ladder was built along the wall so exhibitors could sleep there rather than in walkways or in pens as in previous years.

1974 saw the construction of the Floriculture and Display Building, and in 1976, the Clay County Fair Association had a permanent home on the fairgrounds with the building of the Administration Building, just south of the Agriculture Building.  The latest permanent addition is the Varied Industries Building in 1992, directly west of the 4-H and Textile Building.

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