Mills County, Iowa

Silver City Community History
1879 - 1979

THE FAIRS

SILVER CITY FAIR ASSOCIATION 1892-1897

February 4, 1892, the Silver City Driving Park Association bought the race track and all improvements from W. C. Swarts and W. B. Oaks as well as lots 1-2-3-4-5 all in block 9 for $554.25. They also applied for membership in the American Trotting Association. M. E. Huffaker improved the buildings and built an amphitheater for $1,353.40. In 1892 it was known as Silver City Driving Park Assn. In 1896 the name was changed to Silver City Fair Association. Silver City Times, October 30, 1919, in Items Twenty-One Years Ago

The buildings on the fair grounds are advertised to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder on Saturday, November 5th. This is something that should be looked upon by all with regret, for it is indeed one enterprise that should by all means have been kept in a prosperous condition, but from lack of interest on the part of our people it has proven a poor investment and when once discontinued and the buildings disposed of, it will be many moons before our town has another organization of this character. The past few meetings, especially have proven very unprofitable to the stockholders, in fact, the proceeds have not covered the expenses, and this they deem the most profitable steps for them in the future, and then Mr. Huffaker has demanded the vacation of his land.

THE FAIR 1897

Among others who deserve special mention for their interest taken in our fair is F. J. Duerr Co. of this city. This firm spent many hours in arranging their display and truly deserved credit for the interest they manifested and we predict that they will be repaid in time by an increase of trade, that this advertisement will bring forth.

Among others was the Cole & Cole display, of which Bert Huffaker is manager, and who took the interest to make this addition to the appearance of the floral hall. Cole & Cole are a new firm in our city, but they take the interest of one much older in making public enterprise a success. This firm started out making their name and line of goods they handle known to everybody, and we predict for them success in the future.

Pullman and Richmond also deserve special mention for their display and interest taken. Their goods were all handmade and manufactured here at home, which was the only display of home manufactured goods on the ground, except August Jahnke’s neatly arranged showcase of knives and patent horseshoes, which he patented himself. Pullman and Richmond was a comparatively young firm in town, but they have enjoyed a most excellent trade, and their display on the fair grounds brought them the sale of three new sets of harness. They took several first premiums.

The old reliable jeweler and watchmaker, W.F. Laraway of Glenwood, was on dock at our fair with a large display as usual. W.F. never lets an opportunity escape him when he can gain friends and extend his already wide reputation for most excellent workmanship. He has gained for himself the reputation of being the most thorough watch maker and optician in the southwestern part of the state. His patients for optical work have become walking advertisements and nothing is too good for them to say or do in his favor.

If it had not been for the above mentioned firms who took the interest to lend a helping hand, the exhibits in the floral hall would have been rather short. Reference: Silver City Times, 9-23-1897 — R.A. Bates, Editor

~submitted by Roseanna Zehner & Darlene Jacoby