Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Great Hagerstown Fair

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 6, 2019

1. The Great Hagerstown Fair Marker

Inscription. The Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Washington County was chartered in 1856 and began holding annual fairs in "Heyser's Woods" (now City Park) in the years before the Civil War. The fairs were suspended due to the War, but when peace returned, the fair resumed at a new location off of Church Street in the west end of Hagerstown. In 1880, the fair moved to this site and was held at this location until 1980. Many celebrities of the time were guests or performers at the fair. In 1884, Col. Henry Kyd Douglas (a former Confederate officer) arranged for General "Stonewall" Jackson's horse "Fancy" (also known as Little Sorrel") to be transported to Hagerstown in a special rail car and displayed at the fair. Legend has it that the old horse was a popular attraction and his mane and tail were plucked nearly bare by those desiring a souvenir. An association with the Maryland State Fair Association was formed in the 1890s, and the Great Hagerstown Fair became a retional and multi-state event. Under the leadership of Civil War (Union) veteran John L. Cost, the poultry program of the fair became the largest in the world.

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A monument to Cost was erected here in 1913.

The Keeper's Residence was constructed in the 1890s and the entrance building was constructed in 1913. The Keeper's Residence is believed to be the last 19th Century fair building remaining in Maryland. The grandstands were constructed in the early 1950s for the purpose of watching horse races which were held on a track in the center of the fairgrounds.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Notable Buildings • Notable Events • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 39° 38.739′ N, 77° 42.708′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on North Mulberry Street north of North Cannon Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 North Mulberry Street, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 6, 2019

2. The Great Hagerstown Fair Marker

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Memory Of (approx. ¼ mile away); Bloom Park (approx. ¼ mile away); This Bronze Cannon (approx. ¼ mile away); Hagerstonians in the Civil War (approx. ¼ mile away); 468 North Potomac Street (approx. ¼ mile away); 474 North Potomac Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Margaret Greenawalt Park (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Hagerstonians in the Civil War (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2,330 times since then and 158 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.