 This photo of the 1941 Champaign County Fair Board taken in the Champaign County courthouse includes, back from left, Howard Goddard, Burt Proctor, Ed Hitzler, Herb Everhart, Morris Loveless, Homer Lang, Cliff Garner, Donald Bradley, Junior Luse, Erritt Lewis, front from left, Fred Johnson, Kenny Rinehart, Marion Apple, Jake Shambaugh, Frank Zea, Doc Sidders, Charles Barger, Ted Botkin, Charles Ford, Ata Clark and Newt Smith. That year’s fair board also included John Yoder, Paul Howard, Glenn Perry, Walter Wilkins and Frank Speece.
The photo on wall to the left is of Col. Charles Candy, a Civil War veteran with the 66th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The year 1941 was the 100th anniversary of the fair. The Champaign County Historical Society shared this photo in recognition of all the fair board members who have served and now serve to make the Champaign County Fair an outstanding fair.  Then - August 28, 1891 Champaign County Fair, Ohio with harness horse hitched to high-wheeled racing sulky on the racetrack in front of judges’ stand (CCHS #A1745). In 1892 this high-wheeled racing sulky was superseded by bicycle pneumatic tired-sulky, a modification of which is used today. Note the elaborately ornament judges’ stand. July 4, 1911 photo (CCHS #A1704) shows this judges’ stand in front of the grandstand. It is not known when this judges’ stand was replaced.  Now - August 7, 1977 Champaign County Fair showing Dick Buxton, a harness horse trainer based at the fairgrounds, in front of judges’ stand with winning two-year-old filly Regatta Day. Contrast the modern bicycle-tired sulky shown here with the high wheeled sulky of 1891. Note the different position of the drivers and their position relative to the horse. Also note the difference in attire of the drivers. Drivers are currently required to wear a safety helmet. The use of the bicycle-tired sulky immediately allowed harness racing horse to race much faster.
The Champaign County Historical Society is an all-volunteer, not-for profit organization that preserves, protects, archives and displays the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The society depends upon donations and dues to provide a free public museum, which is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. |
Looking Back at Champaign County
The Champaign County Historical Society strives to highlight historical people, places and events throughout Champaign County. If you have photos of historical significance that you believe would be of interest to Champaign Countians, please Contact Us. Archives
February 2022
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