On January 1, 1851 a committee met to organize the

agricultural society under state law. The first fair under

this reorganization was held on October 2 and 3 of that

year, and the location was moved from the courthouse

to a small oak grove north of the Hamilton canal basin.

Exhibits at this fair consisted of a small number of

horses and cattle, and a large showing of swine.

Collections of fabrics, paintings, and other articles

were also exhibited. Financially, the fair was a

success, taking in a total of $320.00 after

expenditures.

Due to its continued growth, more space was required

for the 1852 fair. The location was moved to an area

known as Bigham Grove, where it would remain until

1856. During those years, the fair grew tremendously,

as is evident from the society's increased income. In

1852 the fair brought in a total of $594.43; in 1853,

$751.10; and in 1854, $1,101.10.

In 1855, the fair was moved from October to

September, and now encompassed three days instead

of two. The Butler County Agricultural Society also

purchased thirty acres of woodlands for a new

fairgrounds. Livestock numbers continued to increase,

including the number of swine, which Butler County

lead every other county in the state.

By 1856 the Agricultural Society had purcased roughly

thirty-nine acres in Fairfield Township for $3,700 and

the fair was moved one final time. This piece of land

remains the center of the present fairgrounds and the

home of the Butler County Agricultural Society.

In 1857 the fair was returned to the second week of

October. During the mid-nineteenth century the fair

continued to grow and enjoy financial success,

faltering only during the early years of the Civil War,

and by 1868 it had entered into a period of fame. That

year the eighteenth annual Butler County Fair

surpassed all other fairs in the state of Ohio in entry

numbers, attendance, and general interest, rivaling

that of the state fair.

Expansion came again on February 11, 1871 when the

agricultural society purchased thirteen acres of

adjoining land for $5,000. Five years later the Butler

County Commissioners agreed to lease the agricultural

society enough land on the eastern side of the

property for the installation of a horse track. The lease

would run for ten years, at a rate of $15 an acre per

year. The commissioners would also pay the society

$150 anually for pasturing the original grounds and $9

an acre for ground used for hitching purposes. The

society agreed and on July 1, 1876 laid out plans for a

race track seven hundred and fourteen feet long and

three hundred and eighty feet wide, or approximately

one-half mile. The contract for constructing the track

was awarded to Henry Frechtling & Co. at a bid of

$560.

Over the next sixteen years the Butler County Fair

continued to grow and prosper. Entries continued to

multiply and to accommodate those increases,

numerous buildings were constructed. On September

16, 1891 the agricultural society purchased an

additional thirteen acres of land for the purpose of

expansion.

But despite the success and growth of its fairs, the

agricultural society soon found itself suffering from

financial hardships. In 1896 the society, unable to

borrow funds to continue holding its annual fair, began

to feel the effects of a crippling debt. By the

appointment of an independent counsel to manage its

affairs and the sale of bonds valued at $25,000, the

society was granted permission to hold its 1896 fair.

Fortunately, the fair was a great success and by March

of 1897 the board of directors was granted complete

control of all financial assests. By the turn of the

century the Butler County Fair was again one of the

most successful and well-respected fairs in the state

of Ohio.

In 1913 a decision was made to construct a new

grandstand to replace the previously exisiting wood

structure destroyd by fire earlier that year. A painting

of this wooden structure, donated by Charles Howald

on February 19, 1898, now hangs in the fairgrounds

board office. The cost of the new three thousand seat

facility peaked at $33,000 and was constructed by

Garver Contractors. It is believed that the grandstand,

which remains as the centerpiece of the present fair,

was the first of its kind in the United States

constructed entirely of concrete. With this new

addition Butler County became a focal point of

Thoroughbred and harness racing.

Continuing the movement from wooden to more

permanent structures was the completion of a new

secretarial office in 1920. Over the next thirty years,

further improvements were made, such as the

construction of a larger hall for floral exhibits and

produce arrangements, as well as new barns for cattle

and swine.

In 1955 the Butler County Agricultural Sociey entered

into an agreement with the Hamilton Racing

Association, Inc. Under this agreement the Association

would use the grounds for te purpose of conducting a

series of race meetings under the laws of the state of

Ohio, and under the rules of the Ohio State Racing

Commission and the United State Trotting Association.

During this period the fairgrounds became known as

the Hamilton Raceway and drew participants and

spectators from around the nation. This agreement

would last until 1976 when the Association moved to

the Warren County Fairgrounds.

After the Association's departure and the loss of racing

in Hamilton, the society focused inward, concentrating

on internal improvements. During the next two

decades a new secretary's office was constructed and

several new buildings for the housing of sheep, cattle,

goats, and youth activities.

Today the Butler County Agricultural Society and its

annual fair remain as excellent examples of the

strength and durability of agriculture in Southwestern

Ohio. Every year the fair continues to expand and

prosper. Total receipts for the 1998 fair exceeded

$535,000 and attendance was in excess of 84,000.

Butler County also boasts a strong Junior Fair program

with over 1,400 members. Today's fair, with its many

games, rides, livestock exhibits, and other attractions

encompasses the whole of both the rural and urban

cultures of the surrounding area.