C.G. “Gristmill” Jones, Anton presided over the meeting at immigrant John Sinopoulo in Classen, and Charles Colcord which two issues dominated. 1902. He arrived from St. Louis began talking among themselves Because of the failure of Fairs and patterned the park after about the need for a grand fair in the previous 15 years, it was a complex of the same name that would focus on agricultural decided that $100,000 in capital in that city. Spring floods and products, manufacturing, and must be raised to support a Oklahoma entering the Union industrial expansion of the successful State Fair. The other with prohibition ultimately future state. issue, certainly more divisive, spelled doom for the park that The idea caught on with was the location of the Fair. Jones closed in 1910. leading newspaper columnists appointed committees to seek Delmar Gardens was special, of the state. Frederick S. Barde, an immediate corporate charter featuring thrill rides, cafes, a legendary writer in the early for the State Fair Association of years of the twentieth century, Oklahoma, a feat accomplished listed reasons for business and within three days, and to discuss community leaders to support a the location of a permanent State Fair: Fairgrounds. Where else could people The money to fund the Fair from other states find in came relatively quickly, but a single place samples it was much more difficult of everything made for leaders to agree upon the in Oklahoma? At the location. Charles Colcord and same time, this visible his real estate partner, Frank evidence of Oklahoma’s H. Shelley, and developer I.M. greatness would Putnam had heavily invested in inevitably arouse a greater real estate on the west side of and deeper state pride the city. Three farmers, Vincent among citizens. It would L. Bath, Dr. Francis M. Jordan, erase the geographical and A.H. Keller advocated the C.G. “Gristmill” Jones was a strong force lines between the two Fair be held on the east side of behind the effort to hold a State Fair in territories. How could a town along the North Canadian Oklahoma City. better way be devised for River almost two miles from a floating wedding chapel, a the removal of sectional downtown. They argued it would grandiose ballroom, a horse racing prejudice, socially and be easier for farmers in eastern track, a Boardwalk beer garden, politically, than by suburbs to bring their crops and and a 3,000-seat theater. The bringing the people of animals to the Fair. Victorian gingerbread theater the state together once a Colcord recommended the hosted silent films, vaudeville year in the contemplation Fair be held at Delmar Gardens, shows, and personal appearances and enjoyment of those a bustling recreational theme by a variety of celebrities of the things which all have park along the river at what is time from Lon Chaney, Sr. to labored to produce? now Southwest Third Street and Buster Keaton and Apache Chief South Western Avenue. Delmar Geronimo, who was allowed The possibility of forming Gardens, dubbed by historian temporary reprieve from his a State Fair Association was Larry Johnson as “the premiere captivity at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, discussed on January 18, 1907, playground for Oklahoma City in to sign autographs and appear for at the offices of the Chamber the first decade of the twentieth photographs with those intrigued of Commerce. Gristmill Jones century,” was built by Greek with his legend. 14