The Montgomery County Fairgrounds “When the people arrived on the morning of the 17th, there was an exhibition of horses, cattle and agricultural products” ( Drury 807). “The first agricultural fair in Montgomery County was held in Dayton, at the Swaynie Hotel on East First Street, October 17 and 18, 1839” (Drury 807). In 1853 the State Fair was held on Washington Street, the same year the County Fair was held (Drury 807) and then in 1874 "the Southern Ohio Fair Association began holding fairs on the park of Montgomery County Expositions for fifteen years” (Drury 808). . This has served as a springboard for many fairs over the years. Today, when people visit the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, they simply think of it as a place for random fairs or talent shows. Not knowing his history, we could be right. A lot has changed at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds; from its architecture to the people who visit it today. With the Southern Ohio Fair Association taking over the fairgrounds in 1874, the grounds were divided into nine departments: Horse, Cattle, Sheep, Agriculture, Mechanical, Textile, Farm, Speed ​​and Grounds. Hearing this information, one would be a little confused looking at the fairground today. In the 1800s, the way to have fun was to race, sell and buy horses. “The Southern Ohio Fair Association built the exhibit hall and a machine hall. The track was enlarged and other improvements were made” (Drury 808). The exhibition hall became the focal point of the exhibition center, and still is today. The Exhibition Hall built by Stephen Kemp is the oldest and most unique hall on the exhibition grounds; it was the first hall to be built (Wynn). Used only 'from (1850-1860), the innovative octagonal style was used for the house...... middle of paper ...... y County Fairgrounds; from its architecture to the people who now visit it. Works Cited A positive approach to guidelines. 2nd ed. City of Dayton Planning Department, May 1990. Print. Drury, Augustus. History of the City of Dayton. V.1, Montgomery County Agricultural Society. “History” Montgomery County Fair. np, and web. March 13, 2012. http://montcofair.com/History.html. Southern Ohio Fair Association. Annual Southern Ohio Fair in Dayton, Ohio. Dayton: United Brethen Publishing House, 1878. Print. Whalen, James. “Historical Perspective on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.” Dayton Area Sports History. np, and web. March 13, 2012. http://www.daytonareasportshistory.org/venues/DaytonAreaSportsHistoryVenuesMontgomeryCountyFairgrounds.html.Wynn, Kelli. “National Register Registration Urgent for Exhibition Center Building.” » Dayton Daily News September 15, 2003. Print.