Near Rock Springs in Meigs County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Meigs County Fairgrounds
Situated in an agriculturally rich area, county fairs have long been a significant tradition and event in Meigs County. The Meigs County Agricultural Society held its first fair on October 22, 1851, in Middleport and its second at the Rock-Spring Hotel on October 31, 1852. Subsequent fairs occurred around the county until March 14, 1868, when the first section of a permanent location was purchased from Leonard and Jane Carleton near Rock Springs and became known as the Meigs County Fairgrounds. A popular place, the nearby natural springs, exemplified by the historic stone-carved springhouse, once supplied water to the grounds and community. Improvements to the fairgrounds included expanding the one-third mile racetrack to a half-mile in 1889, constructing the unique curved grandstand in 1890, and reconstructing the 1829 Foster-Jenkinson log cabin on the grounds in 1987. A single barrack from the Civilian Conservation Corps camp of the 1930s remains in use.
Erected 2005 by The Meigs County Historical Society, Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 18-53.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education • Entertainment • Notable Buildings • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 14, 1989.
Location. 39° 3.596′ N, 82° 0.811′ W. Marker is near Rock Springs, Ohio, in Meigs County. Marker is on Fair Grounds Lane (County Road 51A), on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the county fairgrounds, about 100 feet east of the Meigs County Dog Shelter. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41790 Fair Grounds Lane, Pomeroy OH 45769, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rock Springs (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Morgan's Raid Route (about 700 feet away); Salisbury Township (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Three Sycamore Trees (approx. 2.1 miles away); Kerrs Run Colored School (approx. 2.2 miles away); Valentine Baxter Horton (approx. 2.2 miles away); James Edwin Campbell (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Morgan’s Raid Route (approx. 2.3 miles away).
More about this marker. The marker’s number, 18-53, is shown backwards on the face of the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,053 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the springhouse, curved grandstand, and the CCC barracks. • Can you help?