The battle over the first State old Chisholm Trail had Fair’s location leaned toward the crossed the river only a east side as a majority of stock few hundred feet to the purchased in the new corporation east. Transportation to SOLID came from residents of that the site, a critical concern SUPPORT portion of the city. In March during the site selection 1907, the committee voted three process, was to be provided FOR A to two for the east side location by a special switch of the CENTURY and moved to lease school land KATY Railroad that would along the river and buy additional terminate directly in front land on which to place a one- of the entrance gate. Since the first State Fair in 1907, The Daily Oklahoman and the Oklahoma Publishing Company have been the annual event’s strongest supporter. A few days before the first Fair in October 1907, a front page editorial urged citizens to attend the Fair: All Oklahoma…should take a few days off during the next fortnight in order to attend the opening meeting of the new state Fair…It will be time and money profitably spent... The State Fair Association has A potential location for the State Fair was Delmar Gardens, almost performed miracles one of the largest amusement parks west of the Mississippi River. in its preparations for the mile horse track. The split vote Work began immediately same…It has built buildings, caused some resignations, but on the racetrack, a 5,000- constructed a racecourse, and the organization survived. seat grandstand, a poultry The new location, 160 acres building, a music hall, a large otherwise prepared for the planted in corn and pasture grass, exposition building, and barns entertainment of visitors in as was graphically described by Bob for cattle, sheep, hogs, and elaborate a manner as can be Blackburn and Paul Strasbaugh horses. As opening day neared, found at the best state fairs of in their 1994 book, A History of Fair Association President the country. No department the State Fair of Oklahoma: Gristmill Jones told reporters It was flat, with rich soil, the $125,000 construction cost has been skimped. a small lake, and grove of had been well spent. trees situated between The Fair opened on October 5, the Deep Fork River on 1907, and was greeted by good the north and the North weather and 10,000 visitors. Jones Canadian River on the lifted his 11-year-old son to the south. A branch of the podium sharply at 10:00 a.m. to 15 35