Ohio State Fair booklet cover

Cover of "Premiums list and Rules and Regulations" for the Ohio State Fair and Industrial Exposition, 1904. Depicted are the central exposition buildings, a picturesque pond and the Womans Building. In 1904, the State Fair was held for five days from August 29-September 2. The origins of the Ohio State Fair go back to 1846, when the Board of Agriculture was formed. The first state fair was scheduled for 1849, but was delayed for a year by an outbreak of cholera. In 1850, the fair was held in Cincinnati. Originally the fair was held in a different place every year, due to the difficulty in traveling long distances. By 1874, it was decided that there should be a permanent location for the fair. The state capital of Columbus was chosen, and travel to the city was made possible by much improved transportation