The 27th in a series of articles
for the 175th Anniversary of Bonham
Bonham, Texas -- Since at least 1870 there had been interest in holding a county fair in Fannin County. The Houston Telegraph reported in 1873 that the Fannin County Fair would be held in the fall for 4 days. The Galveston Daily News reported in 1876 that there were 20 county fair associations in Texas, and The Fannin County Fair Association was one of them.
We are lucky to have quite a lot of information about the remarkable Fannin County Fair of 1891. This is NOT because we have copies of local newspapers for that year – we do not. This is because statewide newspapers carried stories about the 1891 Fannin County Fair, “the biggest thing of the year in North Texas.”
The fair grounds were north of Bonham at Russell Heights.
And this was the year that the streetcar track was built from the T&P Depot to Russell Heights. So the street car would carry you to the Fair.
Although some things were different from the county fairs today, many things are similar. For example:
Agricultural exhibits were important. “Jerseys, shorthorns, Holsteins, Durhams down to the old long-horned Texas cows will be on exhibition.”
“The poultry department will be represented this time. All kinds of fine fowls . . .”
“One great thing of interest will dairy products.”
“All kinds of draft animals will be on exhibition, and the farmer who wants to improve his stock will improve the opportunity by looking at these beauties.”
“Swine in abundance will be there. We can raise as fine hogs as anybody.”
There was an amazing display of fruits and vegetables. Who knew all these fruits were grown in Fannin County: pears, peaches, apricots, plums, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, quinces, figs, apples. And ripe tomatoes as large as saucers.
Machinery Hall had machinery of all kinds, sewing machines, buggies, carts, wagons, cooking and heating stove, plows and agricultural implements.
A big attraction would be a balloon ascension. This was a very popular attraction at the time.
Unfortunately on the first day the balloon caught fire.
The second attempt was a great success, although he alighted in an old orchard.
Horse racing was a big event, and the Fort Worth paper said there was heavy betting on the races. The Fort Worth paper also said that the race track in Bonham was much better than the Dallas race track.
Volunteer guardsmen from North Texas attended and presented drills and parades.
Even the Governor of Texas, James Hogg, came to the 1891 Fannin County Fair. We must assume that he arrived on the train at the depot and took the streetcar to the Fair. Did he spend the night in Bonham? So many questions, and no local newspapers!
Fannin County will not have the governor at the 2023 Fannin County Fair, but there will be lots of interesting and amazing events and displays and a good time for all.
