Mn state fair 1

Minnesota State Fair History

By kstptv

  • Minnesota Territorial Fair Held

    Minnesota Territorial Fair Held
    Minnesota holds its first territorial fair in Minneapolis. The Territorial Agricultural Society founded the governing body of the fair. The photo is of an advertisement for the fair in 1878. (Note: The day of the fair is an estimate.)

  • First Minnesota State Fair

    First Minnesota State Fair
    Minnesota's first state fair is held in Minneapolis. Photo was taken in 1860. (Note: The day of the fair is an estimate.)

  • No State Fair for 2 Years

    No State Fair for 2 Years
    Because of the social disruption of the Civil War, there is no state fair in 1861. In the wake of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, the state fair is cancelled.

  • Land Donation

    Land Donation
    The Ramsey County Poor Farm donates 200 acres to be the new home of the fair. Photo taken 1870 to 1879 of the State Fair on the West Side. (Note: The day is an estimate.)

  • Permanent Site for State Fair

    Permanent Site for State Fair
    After years of traveling State Fairs, the first Minnesota State Fair is held on its now-permanent site near St. Paul. Photo is of an art gallergy from 1890 to 1889 at the fair. (Note: The day is an estimate.)

  • President Theodore Roosevelt Visit

    President Theodore Roosevelt Visit
    Theodore Roosevelt utters the famous line "Speak softly and carry a big stick" in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair on September 2. The photo is of Teddy Roosevelt at the State Fair.

  • Tilt-A-Whirl Invented

    Tilt-A-Whirl Invented
    The Tilt-A-Whirl, invented and manufactured in Faribault, makes its debut at the Minnesota State Fair. Photo of carnival rides in 1928 at the State Fair.

  • Pronto Pups Arrive!

    Pronto Pups Arrive!
    Pronto Pups are first served at the Minnesota State Fair. Photo of kitchen and food preparation.

  • First Princess Kay of the Milky Way

    First Princess Kay of the Milky Way
    Eleanor Maley of Grand Meadow is named the first Princess Kay of the Milky Way. The tradition of sculpting the winners in butter, however, does not begin until 1965. Photo of the Midway during the night in 1955.

  • Children's Barnyard Added

    Children's Barnyard Added
    The Children's Barnyard is created at the State Fair. Photo of an aerial view of the Fairgrounds in 1956.

  • Gopher Becomes Mascot

    Gopher Becomes Mascot
    In 1966, Fairchild the gopher became the official mascot of the State Fair and was joined by his nephew, Fairborne, in 1983. Photo of the Midway in 1963.

  • Miracle of Birth Center Added

    Miracle of Birth Center Added
    The Miracle of Birth Center was added at the State Fair.