HistoryLocation

The present fairgrounds are located at the north edge of Fremont and are easily accessible from U.S. Rt. 20, State Route 53, and U.S. Route 6. In addition, the Ohio Turnpike offers an exit just north of the fairgrounds.

Prior to settling in this permanent location, the county fair was held at different locations within Fremont and in Clyde.

The banks of the Sandusky River provided a natural gathering point for residents in the mid 1800s. The two growing communities of Croghansville on the east bank and Lower Sandusky on the west bank became the city of Fremont in 1849.

The first fair was conducted on October 13, 1852, on the east side of the Sandusky River. Exhibits included horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, field crops, fruit, dairy products, and manufactured articles. The two-day 1853 fair was also held on the east side of the river, but in the third ward.

Clyde hosted the Sept. 26-27 fair in 1854. By then the board was considering a permanent home for the fair and, in 1855, purchased land bordering the west side of the Sandusky River, "good location affording shade and access to the Sandusky River for water." About 7 acres were purchased for $691.89, with the deed awarded to the board in 1861 for $1,053. In 1861, the minutes mention the first structure, Floral Hall, and fences on the grounds.

The Civil War postponed the Oct. 1-3 fair in 1862, since the draft was being held on these days. In 1866, the Sandusky River flooded, sweeping away the structures and buildings on the grounds, and no fair was held. This caused the board to begin looking for another location, and, in 1867, the fair was moved to the Fremont Driving Park located on a hill to the east of the river. The Fremont Driving Association had been formed for trotting and running of horses. The two groups agreed on a 9-year lease for $75 and Floral Hall was moved to the new location.

In 1869, the board sold the land along the Sandusky River for over $1,600 and started looking for a permanent site. About 27 acres of the current site was purchased for $7,000 in 1870 and the three-day 1871 fair was held at the new location, which is west of the Sandusky River and situated on a hill. Various buildings were moved to this new site, including Floral Hall. Although the site was much larger than previous locations, the fair continued to grow and additional land was acquired west of the grounds.

In the mid 1950s, the board acquired land north of the fairgrounds, which more than doubled the size of the site. The main grounds houses all of the buildings, with the exception of the Junior Fair Horse Building. That building is located in the north street lot, which includes the campgrounds and parking area.