The Fair
The Agricultural Fair was a community institution in Montgomery County at summer’s end for nearly a century, from 1846 to 1932. These photographs are a visual history of the first incarnation of the fair, held in Rockville by the Montgomery County Agricultural Society and often known simply as the “Rockville Fair.”
The Agricultural Fair was a community institution in Montgomery County at summer’s end for nearly a century, from 1846 to 1932. These photographs are a visual history of the first incarnation of the fair, held in Rockville by the Montgomery County Agricultural Society and often known simply as the “Rockville Fair.”
Families came in wagons and carriages to the Rockville Fairgrounds and camped on the grounds in order to stay for the duration. (1910)
View of the trolley line from Tennalytown, passing through the rural Montgomery County landscape, 1910.
The most delightful way to reach the Fair from Washington, DC was by trolley. The trolley line passed through one of the most beautiful suburbs of Washington and into the fertile farmland of Montgomery County. The landscape would have been hinting at the autumn harvest time approaching: the immense cornfields, with their large well-developed ears; the many orchards, with bright-colored apples; the deep green of the ripening meadow grasses; and the contrasting freshly-plowed furrows in preparation for wheat sowing, would have made a rural landscape charming to all travelers.
The most delightful way to reach the Fair from Washington, DC was by trolley. The trolley line passed through one of the most beautiful suburbs of Washington and into the fertile farmland of Montgomery County. The landscape would have been hinting at the autumn harvest time approaching: the immense cornfields, with their large well-developed ears; the many orchards, with bright-colored apples; the deep green of the ripening meadow grasses; and the contrasting freshly-plowed furrows in preparation for wheat sowing, would have made a rural landscape charming to all travelers.
Fair activities included demonstrations, entertainment, food, and socialization. All the latest improved machinery and farm implements were there, together with wagons, carriages, automobiles, trucks, and tractors. The display of cattle, sheep and hogs had long been one of the leading features at the Rockville Fair. Many fine herds of cattle, and two hundred of the finest horses in Montgomery County, along with many from the District of Columbia, nearby Virginia, and elsewhere were on exhibition. In this respect, the Rockville Fair was equal to that of any state.
Fair activities included demonstrations, entertainment, food, and socialization. All the latest improved machinery and farm implements were there, together with wagons, carriages, automobiles, trucks, and tractors. The display of cattle, sheep and hogs had long been one of the leading features at the Rockville Fair. Many fine herds of cattle, and two hundred of the finest horses in Montgomery County, along with many from the District of Columbia, nearby Virginia, and elsewhere were on exhibition. In this respect, the Rockville Fair was equal to that of any state.
Agricultural and various farm equipment exhibits, 1910
Attractions were varied and exciting, including the midway, merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, side shows, free exhibitions in front of the grandstand, various races and contests, exhibitions of livestock, and an auto show. The clay-pigeon shoot was one of the biggest events of its kind ever held in Maryland.
Attractions were varied and exciting, including the midway, merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, side shows, free exhibitions in front of the grandstand, various races and contests, exhibitions of livestock, and an auto show. The clay-pigeon shoot was one of the biggest events of its kind ever held in Maryland.
Fair-goers in their finest stroll along the midway. Hats were a fashion requirement at the time, as were long flowing dresses and suits, 1910
The various departments were filled to overflowing with high-class exhibits. The main exhibition hall was devoted to farm and garden products, household displays, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Examples of locally grown produce were abundant in the main hall, including peaches, apples, plums, damsons, cantaloupes and watermelons piled up in a tempting array. The household department displayed preserves, jellies, canned fruits, bread, cakes, candles, pies, fancy crafts, and works of art. Sanders & Stayman and E. F. Droop & Co. of Washington, had excellent displays of musical instruments in this hall. The poultry show was also a place of interest, with many fine chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and pigeons up for prizes.
The various departments were filled to overflowing with high-class exhibits. The main exhibition hall was devoted to farm and garden products, household displays, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Examples of locally grown produce were abundant in the main hall, including peaches, apples, plums, damsons, cantaloupes and watermelons piled up in a tempting array. The household department displayed preserves, jellies, canned fruits, bread, cakes, candles, pies, fancy crafts, and works of art. Sanders & Stayman and E. F. Droop & Co. of Washington, had excellent displays of musical instruments in this hall. The poultry show was also a place of interest, with many fine chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and pigeons up for prizes.
Fair-goers meander through exhibits, 1910
Sign on the left side of the building reads, “The Beautiful Caverns of Luray Souvenirs”
Hundreds of cars in the parking lot
Getting the attention of the crowd
The Fair was always attended by large numbers of out-of-town visitors from other Maryland counties like Frederick, Howard, and Carroll counties, as well as attracting out-of-state fair-goers from the District of Columbia and neighboring counties in Virginia. Vehicles were assigned places all around the fairgrounds, and the park was completely surrounded.
The Fair was always attended by large numbers of out-of-town visitors from other Maryland counties like Frederick, Howard, and Carroll counties, as well as attracting out-of-state fair-goers from the District of Columbia and neighboring counties in Virginia. Vehicles were assigned places all around the fairgrounds, and the park was completely surrounded.
The Fair also gave automobile dealers like a young Lewis Reed the opportunity to display their new models. Below is the dealership's new car tent, allowing attendees to get their first glimpse at the latest models that Rockville Garage had to offer.
The Fair also gave automobile dealers like a young Lewis Reed the opportunity to display their new models. Below is the dealership's new car tent, allowing attendees to get their first glimpse at the latest models that Rockville Garage had to offer.
The Race Track
The Race Track
When these photographs were taken in the early 1900s, the Rockville fairgrounds, located just outside the town of Rockville on the property where Richard Montgomery High School stands today, had undergone a significant upgrade. The grounds were enlarged by the addition of about five acres, allowing for the construction of a half-mile race course along with a new grandstand, and improvements were made to the buildings and grounds, bringing them up-to-date in every respect. Montgomery County could well boast of the nicest fairgrounds in the state.
When these photographs were taken in the early 1900s, the Rockville fairgrounds, located just outside the town of Rockville on the property where Richard Montgomery High School stands today, had undergone a significant upgrade. The grounds were enlarged by the addition of about five acres, allowing for the construction of a half-mile race course along with a new grandstand, and improvements were made to the buildings and grounds, bringing them up-to-date in every respect. Montgomery County could well boast of the nicest fairgrounds in the state.
New grandstand on the fairgrounds, c. 1910
The racetrack, with the midway beyond
Views from the Grandstand of a women's physical fitness demonstration; the judge's stand is in the background, 1910.
^View of the interior of the track, in the harness racing days.
Harness Racing
Harness Racing
Harness racing was one of the main attractions at the new race track before the introduction of the automobile and the subsequent popularity of racing cars. Horses were harnessed to lightweight one-seater buggies called sulkies, and would race around the track at a trot, as opposed to the galloping gait of horses ridden by jockeys.
Harness racing was one of the main attractions at the new race track before the introduction of the automobile and the subsequent popularity of racing cars. Horses were harnessed to lightweight one-seater buggies called sulkies, and would race around the track at a trot, as opposed to the galloping gait of horses ridden by jockeys.
Race horses and two-wheeled sulkies (for trotting races) at the Rockville Fairground stables, c. 1910.
Bicycle Racing
Bicycle Racing
Bicycle races became very popular throughout the country and were a novel event at the Rockville Fairgrounds as early as 1915. The track was a half-mile dirt racing oval with wide, sweeping curves and a grandstand for spectators, which made for clear views. Notice the riders are in shirts and ties.
Bicycle races became very popular throughout the country and were a novel event at the Rockville Fairgrounds as early as 1915. The track was a half-mile dirt racing oval with wide, sweeping curves and a grandstand for spectators, which made for clear views. Notice the riders are in shirts and ties.
In the background: according to the 1903 Sanborn Fire Insurance Atlas of the fairgrounds, these structures near the track were used as cattle pens.
In the background: according to the 1903 Sanborn Fire Insurance Atlas of the fairgrounds, these structures near the track were used as cattle pens.
Auto Racing
Auto Racing
On August 25, 1923, an article in the Baltimore Sun announced that this was the first year that the Rockville Fair continued through a Saturday. The extra day was added as an experiment by management, who hoped to expand attendance by adding new features. Automobile races, the first ever held at Rockville, were the day’s principal attraction and they attracted a huge crowd.
On August 25, 1923, an article in the Baltimore Sun announced that this was the first year that the Rockville Fair continued through a Saturday. The extra day was added as an experiment by management, who hoped to expand attendance by adding new features. Automobile races, the first ever held at Rockville, were the day’s principal attraction and they attracted a huge crowd.
The above photograph was featured as a part of the London Array Series of "Impossible Engineering," broadcast on January 24, 2019 on Discovery’s Science Channel.
Early race car drivers were each required to have a riding mechanic, who in addition to being a lookout, kept an eye on tire wear and would even hop out of the car and run back through the infield to get fuel.
Early race car drivers were each required to have a riding mechanic, who in addition to being a lookout, kept an eye on tire wear and would even hop out of the car and run back through the infield to get fuel.
From the Sunday Star, Washington, DC, August 26, 1923:
From the Sunday Star, Washington, DC, August 26, 1923:
AUTO RACES MARK END OF 5-DAY ROCKVILLE FAIR
AUTO RACES MARK END OF 5-DAY ROCKVILLE FAIR
“Thrilling automobile races brought the annual Rockville Fair to a close this afternoon. The sport was an innovation so far as Rockville was concerned. Seven high-powered cars, operated by some of the crack drivers of the country, participated. The events ranged from one to ten miles in distance, and some fast time was made. Excepting that of Thursday, the largest crowd of the five days was on hand."
“Thrilling automobile races brought the annual Rockville Fair to a close this afternoon. The sport was an innovation so far as Rockville was concerned. Seven high-powered cars, operated by some of the crack drivers of the country, participated. The events ranged from one to ten miles in distance, and some fast time was made. Excepting that of Thursday, the largest crowd of the five days was on hand."
Softball
Softball
Reed Brothers Dodge had their own company softball team that played on the field at Rockville Fairgrounds (in its off-season), among other places. Reed Brothers was a top-ranking team that played in the Rockville Softball League from the 1920s to about the 1940s. These photos were taken in the early 1920s. Pictured at right is Leo (Pat) Murray, Parts Department Manager at Reed Bros., keeping score on the sidelines.
Reed Brothers Dodge had their own company softball team that played on the field at Rockville Fairgrounds (in its off-season), among other places. Reed Brothers was a top-ranking team that played in the Rockville Softball League from the 1920s to about the 1940s. These photos were taken in the early 1920s. Pictured at right is Leo (Pat) Murray, Parts Department Manager at Reed Bros., keeping score on the sidelines.
Note the player with the five-finger glove in the photo below left. The use of gloves wasn’t original to the first years of the game; early players thought only "wimps" needed a padded glove. According to an article in the Smithsonian Magazine, one of the first players to wear a glove tried – and failed – to find one that would be invisible to fans. Gloves were later considered necessary equipment, and were manufactured with more padding and deeper webbing.
Note the player with the five-finger glove in the photo below left. The use of gloves wasn’t original to the first years of the game; early players thought only "wimps" needed a padded glove. According to an article in the Smithsonian Magazine, one of the first players to wear a glove tried – and failed – to find one that would be invisible to fans. Gloves were later considered necessary equipment, and were manufactured with more padding and deeper webbing.
Above: the Reed Brothers Dodge team playing on the field at Rockville Fairgrounds, set up inside the racetrack
At left: players in action at nearby Welsh Field, now the site of the County Office Building. The house in the background was in right field.
End of an Era
End of an Era
The Rockville Fair was held for the last time in the fall of 1932, after which financial difficulties experienced by its owners (likely related to the Great Depression) led to the public sale of the buildings and grounds. However, the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair was reborn on June 4th, 1949 when hundreds of volunteers participated in an old-fashioned barn raising, constructing twelve outbuildings in one day on the new fairground site off Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. It has been an annual event ever since-- even today the Montgomery County Fair is one of the largest county fairs in the state of Maryland.
The Rockville Fair was held for the last time in the fall of 1932, after which financial difficulties experienced by its owners (likely related to the Great Depression) led to the public sale of the buildings and grounds. However, the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair was reborn on June 4th, 1949 when hundreds of volunteers participated in an old-fashioned barn raising, constructing twelve outbuildings in one day on the new fairground site off Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. It has been an annual event ever since-- even today the Montgomery County Fair is one of the largest county fairs in the state of Maryland.
Fairgrounds pictured here, off-season. At bottom left: the poultry house, boarded up for the winter.