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Commentary |
September 23, 1999
State Fair ideal time to view historic park
By Steve Scroggins
Macon's historic charm and beauty rivals any city in the nation. Yet, area natives often fail to appreciate the history preserved and represented in our buildings.
When a friend showed me a photo calendar distributed by the Macon Heritage Foundation, I wanted to know more about the history of Macon's Central City Park and the Georgia State Fair. That calendar featured
historic photos reproduced from the archives at the Washington Memorial Library depicting numerous structures in Central City Park. We're fortunate to have such a resource and people with the foresight to preserve historical documents and photos.Whether or not you're a history buff, the buildings in Central City Park are worthy of a closer look. The 144th Annual Georgia State Fair (Oct. 18-24) offers an ideal time to do so. Let's discuss some of the park's structures.
Horse racing (running and trotting) was once a major attraction at Central City Park. A
grand stand with seating for 5000 was constructed in 1871 to allow spectators to view the mile-long track. An 1871 newspaper ad described it as "The Finest Park and Best Race Track on the American Continent." The racetrack is still visible though the track rails and grand stand were removed to make way for a levee and softball fields.Three separate carnival units will converge on Macon's old racetrack Oct. 17 to set up the largest
midway in the state. With over 100 rides, Amusements of America is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest traveling carnival.The Gazebo, or "
Band Stand" as it was called, was first constructed in 1871, when a number of exposition halls, the grand stand and an entrance gate were built in Central City Park. According to the historical marker, Confederate President Jefferson Davis once delivered a speech to Confederate veterans from that gazebo. On Oct. 24th, the State Fair will hold its first Charity Auction at the gazebo and proceeds will help make Ronald McDonald House a reality here in Macon.The commercial exhibit building, also known as the "long building," will house various Fair exhibits and the Haunted House in 1999. The brick building replaced the various wooden exposition buildings built in 1871.
Luther Williams field was constructed in 1929 and is one of the oldest minor league parks in existence. "Base Ball" was spelled as two words in those days. We'll see history made on Oct. 21st when professional wrestling will make its debut in Luther Williams stadium as part of the 1999 Fair.
The
Smith Art Hall, also known as "the Round Building," was named for Macon's mayor in 1904. For the record, the mayor was named Smith, not Round. This building was refurbished in 1968 and re-roofed in 1997. The Fair makes improvements to Central City Park over and above the rents paid to the city of Macon for use of the Park, and that benefits park visitors year-round.Apparently, the historic ambiance of Smith Art Hall appeals to many local bats. Bats may be appropriate for a Haunted House, but not for an exhibit building. Preparations for the 1999 State Fair include hiring a contractor to relocate the bats and ready the building to house a large sand sculpture by the renowned artist Dave Henderson.
See the Fair website at http://georgiastatefair.org for more historical information and
past photos of the State Fair and Macon's Central City Park. While you're there, get information on the upcoming Fair and the Exchange Club of Macon. Better yet, why not visit the Fair in person Oct. 18-24? Since 1942, the Exchange Club donated about $1.1 million of the proceeds from the State Fair to local charities. We need your help to build on that history; advance tickets go on sale Sep.23.
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Copyright © 1999 Georgia State Fair. Published in The Macon Telegraph 9/23/99
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