website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
Watertown Inter-County Fair Association
1905-1927
1905
03 15 At city hall Monday evening was held a
mass meeting to discuss the advisability of organizing a Fair organization of
Watertown. It was the unanimous opinion
of those present that an annual Fair was desirable for our city and it was the
sense of the meeting that the matter should be pushed to a successful issue. E.
E. Grube [should be H.
G. Grube] ... gave the assurance that the Watertown Driving Park Club would be willing to turn
in its property to a fair association if such an organization were formed. This property includes the half mile track,
buildings, fences, etc., now on the driving club's grounds in the Seventh
ward. WDT
_________________
When
the project of a county fair for Watertown was broached Herman Grube was one of its ardent supporters and helped in many
ways to launch it to a successful issue.
He had been previously identified with the Watertown Driving
Association, which was merged with the fair association, and was elected
treasurer of the Watertown Inter-County fair, which position he held during the
first three years, relinquishing the office owing to stress of other duties connected
with the fair. Watertown Daily Times, 1924
1905
Watertown Daily Times, 03 28
1905
A
second meeting of those interested in the establishment of a fair association
in this city was held last Thursday evening, and was well attended. S. E.
Woodard presided and Charles Mulberger
acted as secretary.
The
report from the special committees appointed was most encouraging, and it was
decided to push the work with all possible speed and hold a fair this
year. The work of soliciting stock
subscriptions will begin at once. It will be necessary to raise
about $7000 in addition to what will be turned over to the association from the
driving club, but this will not be hard to secure, as when the previous
organization was being effected about three years ago, fully that amount was
raised in a short while, but the project fell through.
The
above named will be used for the construction of a fence, exhibit buildings and
stables, etc., and a portion of it will be used to advertise the fair and pay
current expenses.
1905
Watertown Daily Times, 05 17
1905
A
committee of the Watertown Inter-County Fair Association has started to solicit
stock subscriptions and will call on the business people for amounts varying
according to their means. Another committee has secured several thousand
dollars and it now remains for the businessmen of the city to make up the
balance so that a fair next fall may be assured . . . As soon as the
subscriptions are all in a date can be set and the work of advertising the fair
commenced.
1905
Watertown Daily Times, 06 15
1905
The
prospects for the success of the Inter-County Fair which will hold its first
meeting September 19-22 continue bright. It is surprising and at the same time
gratifying to the officers of the association to note the great interest
evinced by the general public over this event. Farmers from neighboring towns
are more than pleased and the great crowd in the city Tuesday kept the fair
officials busy answering questions propounded.
Secretary
Charles Mulberger states that the premium list is now
being arranged and the racing events will be the best that can be secured in
Wisconsin. The total purses will aggregate $4500, which will not fail to draw
some fast racers. In the way of other amusements, Secretary Mulberger
is arranging for some high-priced features which are entirely new and novel,
and will give the inter-county a great reputation from the start. The evening
free attractions will be no less interesting and a good sum for this purpose
has already been pledged. Watertown is able to accommodate without
inconvenience the large crowds which will come to the city on this occasion.
1905
In
1905, at the prodding of Mayor Herman Wertheimer, the Watertown Intercity (or
Inter-County) Fair Association launched another series of successful annual
fairs on the spacious grounds south of the Armory. Besides the usual exhibitions, the fair
offered something for everybody. You
could buy cream candy, rubber balls on strings, gyroscopes, glass fountain
pens, have your fortune told and your picture taken on tintype, or see a real
motion picture, the "Great Train
Robbery." At
http://picasaweb.google.com/KenRiedl/FairDay1950s?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9CrcQOJfyP1upMJlerR3dg?feat=directlink
1906
Watertown Daily Times, 09 12
1906
This
is the season of the year when people's fancies turn to the subject of fairs.
This portion of the state has a goodly number of them which are taking place now
or will within the next week or two and interest in them grows as the time
approaches. It is at these annual fairs that the farmer proudly exhibits the
fine stock and grains he has raised the past year and his wife's butter and
prize jellies of the culinary department of the household. It is this feature
of the fairs that really accomplishes the most good, for it educates the farmer
and his wife, but then their value and social affairs must also be given much
credit.
City
people, too, take a continued if not growing interest in fairs, even though
their nature has been changed somewhat from the spectacular shows that once
were with horse races the chief features.
1906
Watertown Daily Times, 09 13
1906
Late
developments have gone to show that the speed program of the Watertown
Inter-County fair next week will be an unqualified success. The entries
yesterday poured in at a lively rate and Secretary Mulberger
is jubilant and now assures all that the race program will be one that will
have no superior in the state. There will be a large field of horses, including
many of the best in this country. Last evening, thirty-one entries had been
made in the pace and trot events, to say nothing of the running races that are
scheduled for each day. Horsemen know a good thing when they see it; therefore
many are to take advantage of the liberal purses that are offered by the
association for the various events.
1907
05 09 Track
at fairgrounds in excellent condition for speeding; local horsemen invited
to use
09 28 The Watertown Inter-County fair came to
a close last evening after having had a very successful week. Despite the
unfavorable weather of Tuesday and Wednesday.
Despite the unfavorable weather conditions the first of the week, the
fair officers are satisfied that it was no worse and they feel quite well
satisfied with the way things turned out.
The rains and threatening aspect of the skies no doubt debarred many from
going to the grounds. Nevertheless, the
fair was a big success from the standpoint of attendance and
entertainment. Yesterday, the attendance
was not as large as was anticipated it being estimated that about 3,000 people
were on the grounds. It is also estimated by the management that about 30,000
people visited the fair during the last three days. Watertown
Daily Times,
1908
09 04 Arrangements
practically completed for the 1908 Inter-County fair WG
09 18 A great success. WG
Watertown Remembered
When
the Interurban Railway came to Watertown in 1908,
it laid tracks down
In
that same year the Interurban made an attempt to bolster its failing business
by opening a fine new depot on
The
ride to Milwaukee was much more pleasant than it had been on the old trolleys.
But the Interurban could not compete with the automobile, and it followed the
fair into oblivion in 1940.
The
T.M.E.R.& L., as it was called (The Milwaukee
Electric Railway and Light Company), had come to Watertown 32 years before, in
1908. It once ran the length of
1909
01 15 Request to build interurban this year as far
south as the fairgrounds so that it could be of use in time for the 1909
annual fair WG
02 05 Additional
building to be erected on grounds; a fifty-foot addition added to the grand
stand, old officers re-elected
WG
09 03 Herman
Wertheimer recognition WG
09 17 Watertown
Fair of 1909; Children’s Day WG
1910
02 04 There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of
the Watertown Inter-County Fair Association held Thursday evening of last week
at the city hall, including many from the rural districts. The secretary's report showed the association
to be in fine financial condition. It
was voted to enlarge a number of the buildings the coming season and also to
enlarge the grandstand. William A. Beurhaus, Charles Harte and John Hughes (of Reeseville) were elected directors. All the old officers were re-elected as
follows . . .
It was
decided to hold the 1910 fair on September 20, 21, 22 and 23. This is the week following the state fair and
immediately preceding the fairs at Jefferson and Beaver Dam. A vote of thanks was tendered the officers on
motion of Peter Thauer, and Charles Mulberger in responding thanked the public for their
interest in the fair and the help extended to the association. WG
04 27 Fair Grounds Enlarged — Five lots just north of the
Watertown Fair Grounds have been purchased by the Fair Association. This will allow more room for displaying live
stock. WG
07 01 Matinee Races Sunday — The matinee races on July 3 at
the Watertown fair grounds promises to bring many good horses to the city for
the three racing events. The interurban cars will take the crowds to the grounds,
extra service being put on at 10 a.m. and continuing until after the races are
over with in the evening. The three
harness events will be trot or pace: A
free for all, 1/2 mile heats, best three in five, purse $100. A 2:19 class, 1/2 mile heats, best two in
three, purse $100. A 2:30 class, 1/2
mile heats, best three in five, purse $75.
WG
07 22 Motorcycle Races — On Sunday afternoon there was a
good-sized crowd at the motorcycle races at the fairgrounds . . . Australian
pursuit race—Contestants start at equally distant points around the track and
start simultaneously. A man passed must
drop out until but one, the winner, remains—Sporleder
and Fischer tied, each 3 1/2 miles. Time, 4:25. Prize, silver loving cup . . . WG
07 22 Opened Bids — Bids for the construction of the new
merchants' display building on the Inter-County fair grounds were opened last
week and are as follows: John Schatz,
$1718: L. A. Willenbockel, $1901; William Riebe, $1921 ; Ferd. Behlke, $1997; Rohde & Zickert,
$2041 ; Charles Huenefeld,
$2331. The contract was let to John Schatz.
WG
1911
02 02 Inter-County Fair Annual Meeting – There was a large and
enthusiastic attendance at the annual meeting of the Watertown Inter-County
Fair Association at the city hall last Friday evening. President Herman Wertheimer called the
meeting to order, and City Treasurer, Emil Tanck
officiated as secretary of the meeting.
The treasurer's report was read at the meeting and it shows the
association to be in a sound financial condition. A new lease of the fairground has been taken
for 14 years. It was voted to hold the
annual fair from Sept 19 to 22nd. Chas. Mulberger declined to serve longer as secretary, and a vote
of thanks was extended him for the excellent service rendered since the
organization of the fair. The election
of officers resulted as follows:
President—H. Wertheimer
Vice President—G. M. Gahlman
Secretary — Charles
Harte
Treasurer—Charles Frey
Secretary of
Speed—Chas. Mulberger
Director for three
years—S. Molzahn, H. Grube,
Robert Dent, H. Kronitz, for on expired term. WG
Weltburger, 09 16 1911, Inter County Fair, Sept 19-22
1913
1913, Inter County Fair advertisement
1914
1914, Inter County
Fair advertisement
1919
Slide Show, 1919 Fair
1920
09 14 Watertown Fair: September 21, 22, 23 and 24. Bigger and Better Than
Ever WG
1930s
Troop
K 105th Cavalry (part of the National Guard) boarded horses
at the old fairgrounds on the city's south side.
__________________________________________________________
Old History Remnants Recovered
1999
Watertown Daily Times, 04 10 1999
City
workers are currently in the process of a road building project on the south side
that has unearthed a little smattering of old history.
The
crews are constructing a new roadbed on Utah Street south of Boomer Street.
That new section of road is badly needed. The existing pavement was in pretty
tough shape and drainage was poor. This short dead end street serves Wisconsin
Auto Parts, Badger Car Wash and Holz Motors.
Well,
while the crews were digging up the roadbed, they found a bunch of old railroad
ties.
Those
ties are all that's left of the old branch line of the interurban, known
formally as The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company (TMER&L).
The
interurban or TMER&L was a trolley car system from Milwaukee to Watertown,
with other branch lines going south to Kenosha and north to Sheboygan. Service
came to Watertown on July 31, 1908, and ended rather quietly on Feb. 1, 1940, a
victim of the popularity of the automobile.
These
old ties which were dug up really brought back memories of a lesser known part
of the interurban history.
By the
time the interurban arrived on July 31, 1908 for the first time, the railway
owners had already set their sights on extending the line all the way to
Madison. Rights of way had been purchased and the tracks were laid south of the
city's business district to the intersection with the Chicago and North Western
tracks and station. The plan was to extend it all the way to Madison in the
very near future, and it was to have been done on private, rather than public,
right of way. But it never materialized.
In
addition to that plan, the owners had other ambitious ideas. The tracks were
laid south along South Second Street, and along what is now the
sliver of land between Highway 26 south and Utah Street.
The
terminal was the former Grinwald Ford dealership at
Second and Market streets, so that track extension seemed pretty logical.
The
immediate need was to service the inter-county fair, but the ultimate goal was
to have the service extend south to the county seat in Jefferson.
Site
of the inter-county fair, always held the third week of September, was the
general area of the Watertown National Guard Armory, the Watertown Municipal
Airport, and the three businesses we mentioned above.
That
track was installed and grading was even completed about a mile south of the
fair stop. But, again, there never was an effort to get the tracks all the way
to Jefferson. It became too expensive, especially with the growing competition
from the automobile.
Our
records show that as late as 1934 tracks were still in place out to the
inter-county fair, and maybe it was even longer. No doubt what was dug up there this week are the remaining ties of a once
very busy line.
The
round trip cost to the inter-county fair from any interurban stop in Watertown
was five cents. What a bargain!
A map
of the tracks show the branch continued south on Second Street, under the
Milwaukee Road (now Canadian Pacific) tracks and then at Second and Hyland streets,
there were several turnoffs probably used to store extra cars.
Then
the track traveled adjacent to River Drive which was the old highway at the
time. There was double track, presumably a passing siding from the approximate
location of Stimpson Street at River Drive south to
Mary Street where it again became single track.
Image Portfolio
Click to enlarge
|
Inter
County Fair horse race |
1909,
Crowd arriving at fairgrounds via Interurban fair line |
1910,
Inter Country Fair 300
block E Main |
|
Cross
Reference: A trotting
course
Watertown
Democrat, 03 28 1861
Some
of our owners and dealers of splendid horses propose to add to the attractions of
the live stock fair that is now regularly held here, a race course for the
purpose of trying the speed of their nags and testing their qualities. We learn that appropriate ground for this
purpose can be very easily procured and two hundred dollars have been pledged
to grade a road of suitable length. Let
the thing be carried out. It will have a
tendency to draw together more buyers and a sight now and then of a famous,
fancy, or swift-footed traveler won’t hurt any body. We are in favor of the race course.
