Category Archives: Illinois State Fair

Beauty ban, 1911 Illinois State Fair

Posted on November 11, 2025 by editor

The “lady managers” of the 1911 Illinois State Fair’s domestic science school were appalled when they learned one of their instructors was giving young women advice on cosmetics well as hygiene. The 102 young women in attendance “need not trouble … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Illinois State Fair, Women | Leave a comment

Illinois State Fair beer ban, 1953-74

Posted on August 5, 2025 by editor

Acting on complaints from church groups and parents, the administration of Gov. William G. Stratton prohibited the sale of beer at the 1953 Illinois State Fair. The ban on beer, as well as on any other alcoholic beverage, remained in … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Illinois capital, Illinois State Fair, Social life, State government | Leave a comment

Ku Klux Klan rally at Illinois State Fairgrounds, 1922 (photo)

Posted on December 29, 2024 by editor

A Ku Klux Klan rally held in the Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum in October 1922 became a political flashpoint when Len Small sought a third term as governor six years later. The anti-Small Chicago Tribune published the photograph above on … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Illinois capital, Illinois State Fair, Photos and photosets, State government | Leave a comment

Springfield, “The Flower City”

Posted on November 8, 2023 by editor

Springfield’s sometime-nickname, “The Flower City,” apparently originated with a Chicago newspaper story published in 1857. But it didn’t catch on for another 20 years, at first mainly when local improvement advocates complained that the city – particularly its muddy streets … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Celebrations, Illinois State Fair, Local government, Spectacles, Women | 2 Comments

Machinery Hall collapse, 1895

Posted on April 24, 2023 by editor

Two workmen died in the state’s rush to develop the new home of the Illinois State Fair in 1895. Springfield was named the permanent site of the fair in 1894, and the Exposition Building was constructed by September of that … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Buildings, Disasters, Illinois State Fair | Leave a comment

John Rinaker Jr., architect

Posted on April 20, 2023 by editor

The cornerstone was laid for the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on July 4, 1894. The granite stone, hewn by the Springfield firm of Richter & Doland, was inserted in a corner nook of the building. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Illinois State Fair, Local government, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Camp Tanner (Illinois State Fairgrounds, 1898)

Posted on April 17, 2023 by editor

Ten thousand Illinois militia flooded the Illinois State Fairgrounds less than a week after the start of the Spanish-American War. They left the fairgrounds – renamed “Camp Tanner” for the duration – almost as quickly as they arrived. The operation … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois State Fair, Military, Prominent figures, State government | Leave a comment

Illinois State Fair crisis, 1922-23

Posted on August 11, 2022 by editor

The big question after the 1922 Illinois State Fair was whether there would be another one in 1923. On one level, the problem involved ownership of the fairgrounds. When Sangamon County turned the former site of the county fair over … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Historic Sites, Illinois State Fair, Local government, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, State government | 1 Comment

The Who at the Illinois State Fair, 1968

Posted on August 8, 2021 by editor

The amplifiers were set to top-end at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on the evening of Aug. 9, 1968. Performing that night were Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon, better known as the Who. From their dressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Illinois State Fair, Social life | 10 Comments

Skyrocket Inn

Posted on June 30, 2021 by editor

What to do after a long day – and night – at the Illinois State Fair? The after-fair, after-hours mecca for everyone from carnies to Hell’s Angels to local movers and shakers was the Skyrocket Inn, right across the street … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Hotels & taverns, Illinois State Fair, Lithuanians, Lithuanians, Social life | 3 Comments