State fairgrounds sale to detroit completed michigan news. The countys colorful past is the result of forgotten locals and visitors. Hudson sold 5 acres of woodward avenue farmland to the michigan state agricultural society in 1905 for. Nw in comstock park, mi, a suburb of grand rapids, mi. I have a few, but theyre in my seabiscuit book in my room, which ive read. Renderings for the redevelopment of the michigan state fairgrounds were released thursday, showing plans for an environment filled with entertainment, retail. I am fascinated by the mining and logging industries and both are covered in great detail. From monster trucks to demolition derbys, there is nightly entertainment for all in our grandstand area. By jenny nolan jeff macnaughton, 10, of grand ledge, sleeps on his prizewinning heifer at the michigan state fair in 1985. Hudson sold 5 acres of woodward avenue farmland to the. Founded by webster marble in gladstone over a century ago, marble arms patented more than 60 outdoor products.
During the fair, you can pick up a brochure at the minnesota historical society booth or any of the 12 stops located around the fairgrounds. The michigan association of fairs and exhibitions will promote the development of agriculture and related industries, coordinate the objectives of fairs and exhibitions across the state, inform and educate its members through meetings and an annual convention, and encourage the participation of youth in these endeavors. Michigan state fairgrounds coliseum, also known as the hockeytown state fair coliseum, is a 5,600seat multipurpose arena located on the fairgrounds. A year round schedule of events climaxes during two funfilled weeks in august when the fair comes to town. Hayes and his wife, lucy, visited the michigan state fair in 1879. Come out for the day or the week and spend time watching the rodeo, eating great food, riding carnival rides and watch the animal shows. Michigan state fair michigan fairs and exhibitions. It was a onemile dirt track with the first race held on september 26, 1903. The michigan state fair is being produced by a private entity, and presented by sponsor ram trucks. Magic johnsons development firm has purchased 16 acres of the site and the city of detroit will purchase 142 acres.
It contains complete, crossreferenced listings for every company formed to operate a railroad in the state of michigan. Joseph lowthian hudson donated the land, at woodward avenue and what is now 8 mile road, to the michigan state agricultural society. Author to speak at troy library about wwii pows in michigan. Spam or selfpromotional the list is spam or selfpromotional.
A popular history magazine geared toward professionals and enthusiasts alike, michigan history offers a wide variety of subject matter, time frames, and perspectives while inspiring, educating, and entertaining its readers. Michigan state fairgrounds deal leaves detroit picking up. The original michigan state fair debuted in detroit in 1849, and was one of the first statewide fair events to take place in the country. Seabiscuit historical marker at the michigan state. Through investing in the state s charitable organizations, convening business, government and nonprofit leaders, collaborating on critical issues, seeking innovative solutions, sharing knowledge and advocating, we. Speedrome gone, but not forgotten grand rapids historical. The hertel coliseum at the michigan state fairgrounds in detroit in 2018. Created in partnership with the minnesota historical society and the minnesota state fair foundation, the minnesota state fair history walking tour consists of various stops that focus on a particular subject.
The ust site is located near the midway area as shown on figure 2. When you volunteer, it means you give of yourself without condition and with heartfelt devotion. On this evening doug taylor will focus on the history around c. We are fortunate to have a copy of a pictorial map of the 1856 fair grounds map rms islz 912. By 1908, the racetrack, at the east end of the fairground, had a 5,000seat capacity grandstand.
The west michigan fairgrounds was located on north park st. Feb 22, 2014 seabiscuit historical marker at the michigan state fairgrounds in. The chapter operates restored railroad station museums at martisco and central square, ny, and a display of historic equipment at the new york state fairgrounds in. The track was closed in 1937 when the state closed it down leaving only the detroit fairgounds in the state. Lumbermen and laborers in saginaw, bay city, and muskegon, 18701905 great lakes books by jeremy w. Michigan history for kids curriculum set written for third and fourth graders, michigan history for kids explores the history and heritage of all michigan.
For many years, the memorial was the scene of the annual veterans day activities of the michigan state fair. Established in 1849, the michigan state fair was over 160 years old when an ill considered decision was made to stop holding the annual state fair. On monday the great gathering commenced and on tuesday the multitudes came pouring in from every quarter and through every channel, by railroad, by steamboat, by stage, in wagons. A year round schedule of events climaxes during two funfilled weeks in august when. Future of the michigan state fairgrounds home facebook. You can also visit the inventing the outdoors museum at multiuse complex on the upper peninsula state fairgrounds that showcases the history of marble arms. Michigan history told in rich detail in books published by arcadia publishing. Grant once lived the structure itself is located on the fairgrounds, where it was moved from its original location elsewhere in detroit.
The michigan state fairgrounds speedway was a dirt oval racing track located in detroit, michigan. Comstock and his connection to the birth of the west michigan fairgrounds, comstock park and eventually the historic speedrome. The site hosted the michigan state fair from 19052009. If you think that is any mistake or any concert missing please let me know at.
Years ago it was required for a class, but i have since reread this for enjoyment. Detroiters and citizens from across the state gather to enjoy music, midway games, and all the activities offered by the nations second oldest state fair. Aug 23, 2010 the late, lamented michigan state fair closed its gates for good last september, another victim of the state s wretched finances. Seabiscuit historical marker at the michigan state fairgrounds in. The present size of the fairgrounds in detroit is 164 acres 0. Subsequent fairs were held in other cities until it received its permanent home in 1905 at the michigan state fairgrounds in detroit. May 08, 2017 the diverse and glorious story of the arizona state fair is vividly portrayed here with images from the territorial days to the present. Becoming a state with the opening of the erie canal in 1825, more settlers began to move to michigan and the population grew. There are no surface water bodies or wetlands nearby.
What happened to the big stove next to entrance of state fair in. Michigan state fair by john minnis, lauren beaver alibris. Board of worlds fair managers for the state of michigan collection, 18911894. Read the rest of the history of the michigan state fairs theres also a up fair and click for the official sites for the michigan state fair wednesday, august 22nd through labor day, september 3rd, 2007 and the upper peninsula state fair held august th 19, 2007. Plan for former state fairgrounds site gets an urban vibe.
In 1899 a onemile track was constructed at the fairgrounds and originally used for thoroughbred flat racing and. The late, lamented michigan state fair closed its gates for good last september, another victim of the states wretched finances. First held in 1849 in detroit, the location of the michigan state fair rotated in the early years between detroit, ann arbor, kalamazoo, adrian, jackson, grand rapids, east saginaw, lansing, and pontiac before settling permanently in detroit. Michigan state fair by john minnis and lauren beaver first held in 1849 in detroit, the location of the michigan state fair rotated in the early years between detroit, ann arbor, kalamazoo. State fairgrounds sale to magic johnson company complete. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author. Detroit rock city detroit michigan detroit history local history history photos history books michigan facts windsor ontario history education. Sugar bears for sale at the michigan state fair duration. Aug 04, 2016 the first indiana state fairgrounds were located in what is now known as military park in downtown indianapolis.
The history and evolution of the michigan state fair, a private entity, llc. The michigan state fair is an annual event originally held from 1849 to 2009 in detroit, the. Apr 15, 2019 the hertel coliseum at the michigan state fairgrounds in detroit in 2018. The michigan state fair had been a state tradition for 160 years and held at eight mile and woodward, within detroit city limits, since 1905. Original state fairgrounds site of diverse michigan history wkar. Development plan for michigan state fairgrounds unveiled. The michigan state fair michigan history the detroit news. This is one of the best michigan history books i have read. The fair volunteers are truly the shining face of the fair, and their smiles were mirrored by the smiles of our fairgoers, as they graciously thanked michigan state fair staff and volunteers for working so hard to keep a michigan tradition alive. The diverse and glorious story of the arizona state fair is vividly portrayed here with images from the territorial days to the present. Premium book for home arts at the 1958 michigan state fair held august 29 september 7. The track opened as the west michigan state fairgrounds, and it featured an oval just over a mile in length and it hosted automobile and horse racing, according to allan brown of comstock park. Michigan applied for statehood and, on january 26, 1837, michigan was admitted to the union as the 26th state. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book.
This years fair sees the opening of our new office, and addition of many new features and exciting improvements to our fairgrounds. The nations oldest state fair and one of michigans most treasured traditions is in danger of being blown away. The first official michigan state fair was held in 1849, which is claimed by the state of michigan to be the oldest state fair in the united states. And it probably explains why fair historians rarely if ever refer to the event, and instead start counting the fairs from 1849. Heres more info on the businesses of stoves from detroit historical society. The state fairgrounds occupy 80 acres in the heart of phoenix, and neighborhoods listed on the national register of. Michigan, the wolverine state, joined the union in 1837. Grants 1849 home in detroit may be restored the house he rented as a young officer is now boarded up and full of trash on the site of the former michigan state fairgrounds. Vietnam veterans of america detroit chapter 9 is collecting donations in order to move a memorial to world war i veterans that has stood on the michigan state fairgrounds since for more than 80 years. Future of former michigan state fairgrounds in detroit to be revealed duration. Its been more than five years since developers first floated an enormous reenvisioning of the former michigan state fairgrounds site in detroit. At that time, military park was the familiar name for camp sullivan. Michigan state fairgrounds 1120 w state fair highland park. In michigan, the disappearing state fair the new york times.
Serving ann arbor, detroit, flint, grand rapids, kalamazoo michigan state fairgrounds michigan radio. The michigan war veterans memorial june 2006 photo this unique memorial is located at the northeast corner of woodward and state fair avenues in detroit, mi. Entertainment diversity is the hallmark of the michigan state fairgrounds. Aug 31, 1997 the editor of the michigan farmer wrote for that years october 1 issue. Grand rapids speedrome legacy lives on 50 years after.
From 18631904, it rotated amongst different michigan cities. Proposal map from the michigan state fairgrounds development coalition in 20, mt news editor curt guyette wrote a series of stories covering the fate of the former site of the michigan state fair. The worlds largest stove detroit, michigan atlas obscura. Original state fairgrounds site of diverse michigan history. Local history books on michigan arcadia publishing. A brief history of the indiana state fair indiana state. Future uncertain for historic state fairgrounds properties. The michigan state fair is an annual event originally held by the state of michigan in detroit and currently operated by the private entity michigan state fair llc in the suburban collection showplace in the metro detroit suburb of novi. Since 1940, the central new york chapter, nrhs, has been preserving railroad heritage and offering numerous events and programs to promote the railroad industry and its history. Sep 08, 2009 state budget deficits could mean the michigan state fair, the nations oldest, held its last event when it ended its 11day run monday. Subsequent fairs were held in other cities until it received its permanent home in. More information about the history of the memorial can be found here. There are a handful of historicallydesignated properties on the michigan state fairgrounds. Your public radio source for npr and michigan news, events, politics, artsculture, environment.
The big stove was moved to the michigan state fairgrounds in. It was a fertile land with an abundance of fresh water supplied by the st. Detroit the city of detroit launched its drivethru covid19 testing site at the former michigan state fairgrounds on friday as the city becomes an emerging hotspot for the disease. Chronicle chronicle is the membership publication of the historical society of michigan and is published quarterly. The michigan state fairgrounds site is located in a highly urbanized area in detroit, michigan. Race date cars winners st make model len sfc miles purse pole cau laps speed lc. History of the michigan state fair michigan in pictures. Since 1917, michigan history magazine has shared the great lakes states diverse history through feature articles and special sections. State budget deficits could mean the michigan state fair, the nations oldest, held its last event when it ended its 11day run monday. The council of michigan foundations is a community of philanthropists committed to improving outcomes for michigan, and beyond. In 1839 a handful of michigan pioneers planned a state fair, the first in the country. The state fairgrounds has been purchased by the city, 142 acres, and joel fergusons group magic plus llc, 16 acres.
Future of the michigan state fairgrounds posts facebook. Saloon smasher carrie nation sold miniature hatchets at the county fairgrounds. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions location. Lauren beaver is a michigan state university student pursuing a career in book publishing. The 2020 eastern michigan state fair starts tuesday, july 28th, and runs through saturday, august 1st. The fairgrounds provide an area for the 4h and agricultural communities. Click on the race number to see the results of that race.
The track was built in 1899 for horse racing, and it was part of the ground purchased to provide a permanent venue for the michigan state fair. As state fair redevelopment stalls, neighbors will gather to. The course features beautiful green, parklike areas with strategic holes, including the famous islandgreen no. Motor racing of all kinds has been a hugely popular pastime in michigan. John minnis has more than 25 years of experience as an editor and journalist. Feb 22, 2014 seabiscuit historical marker at the michigan state fairgrounds in detroit, mi. Michigan state fairgrounds 1120 w state fair highland park mi 48203. The original michigan state fair, which debuted in detroit in 1849, was one of the first statewide fair events to. Michigan history magazine awardwinning michigan history provides history enthusiasts with exciting stories about michigan. Since then, more than 1,700 have been placed all across the stateand in several other states and europemaking michigans one of the premier marker programs in the nation. The state fairgrounds occupy 80 acres in the heart of phoenix, and neighborhoods listed on the national register of historic places surround it on all four sides. Michigan railroads and railroad companies is an invaluable reference manual for everyone interested in regional transportation history, the history of railroading, and michigan history in general.
Photographs included in michigan state fair are courtesy of the burton historical collection of the detroit public library, wayne state universitys walter p. The grand rapids racing club was formed on september 12, 1903 and the first race drew 1,900 paid admissions which allowed the club to break even. Central new york national railway historical society. From grandstand events to midway entertainment, the eastern michigan state fair has it all. In 1905, the fair moved to its permanent and current location in novi, michigan.
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