Blogpost
for Debbie Lynne’s blog – Jan 25, 2016
Austin’s Capital State
Fair
By
Anita Mae Draper
Since
my novella, Romantic Refinements, is
set near historical Austin, Texas, I spent days researching the time period and
general area for events that I could use in my story. The State Fair would be
perfect for my story because I wanted my main characters to wander on the fairgrounds
during the afternoon, and then make some personal discoveries during the
evening’s dance.
The
problem was that my story was set in 1882, but all references to the Texas
State Fair placed its origin in 1886. Here’s what the Texas State Historical
Associations’s Handbook of
Texas has to say about its origin:
“STATE FAIR OF TEXAS. The Dallas State Fair and Exposition, to which the present State Fair
of Texas traces its origin, was chartered as a private corporation on January
30, 1886, by a group of Dallas businessmen…”
Well,
that wouldn’t work, so I went back to researching. About this time, the other Austen in Austin novella authors were
discussing where we would locate the one feature common in all of our novellas –
the Jeanette
C. Austen Academy for Young Ladies. From that, the Hyde Park area was bantered
around so I dug around there to see if I could use it.
Imagine my delight when I discovered a Wikipedia
article stating, “Located approximately twenty blocks
from Austin's original town site, the area now known as Hyde Park was largely
rural in character for much of the 19th century. The
State Fair of Texas was held in the eastern sections of Hyde Park from 1875
until it was moved to Dallas in 1884.”
And
then while checking out the Austin History Center,
I found this old glass negative showing the State fairgrounds with its racetrack,
grandstands and spectators located at Hyde Park.
There were more mentions of
the Capital State Fair in Austin, such as this message from Michael C. Miller,
Manager, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library in response to a question
about the State and County Fairs and
Expositions. Mr. Miller states, “The
Capital State Fair was held in Austin 1875-1884 on the Fairgrounds in the Hyde
Park neighborhood of Austin. For a good overview of the fair, see chapter 1 of
"Austin's Hyde Park" by Sarah and Thad Sitton (Pecan Press, 1991).
Information about this fair can also be found in Frank Brown's "Annals of
Travis County.”…” and then he added a list of available resources, most of
which I haven’t been able to locate online.
However, his mention of “2 exhibit catalogs (1878 and 1884)” sent
me searching the ranks of Google Books, which is where I found an image of the
cover of the 1884 Capital State Fair Programme & Premium List, and the
accompanying text which states, “The
Capital State Fair of Texas, predecessor of the Dallas State Fair, was held in
Austin from 1875 through 1884.”
The reason for furniture
being included in a state fair listing was because it was one of many options
available for exhibitors. I’m not sure if contemporary state fairs have
commercial furniture exhibits, but usually, there is a chance to enter your own
hand-crafted treasures, such as woodworking, needlecrafts, and other creations,
in the general, youth, or schoolwork categories of local country fairs.
While still in Google
Books, I saw a blurb using the phrase, Capitol State Fair. So, I changed my search
box to reflect Capitol instead of Capital, and I found the Premium List for the Thirty-First Annual Illinois State Fair
to be held at Chicago, September 24-29, 1883, with this
image inside:
![]() |
State and Other Fairs, 1884 |
There it was, near the
bottom, listed in second-last place:
TEXAS – Austin – Capital State Fair Association, Oct.
7-11
My
research as far as there being a State Fair in Austin in 1882 was complete –
there certainly had been one even it isn’t recognized as such in the Texas
State Historical Associations’s Handbook
of Texas.
When
you read my Austen in Austin novella, Romantic
Refinements, I hope you enjoy the chapter(s) on the State Fair, because
once I’d established that there had been one, my next task had been to research
exhibits and midway entertainment. Research fun never ends.
Giveaway – a digital copy of Austen in Austin Volume 1
Anita Mae Draper's stories are written under the western skies where she lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan with her hubby of 30 plus years and the youngest of their four kids. When she's not writing, Anita enjoys photography, research, and travel, and is especially happy when she can combine the three in one trip. Anita's current release is Romantic Refinements, a novella in Austen in Austin Volume 1, WhiteFire Publishing, January 2016. Anita is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Management. You can find Anita Mae at www.anitamaedraper.com
I am very impressed with your diligence to have your novella be accurate. Since I love history and I enjoy research (I was a public librarian who answered a lot of reference questions), I know I will enjoy reading about this part of Texas history!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Connie. Librarians are great! I worked as a Librarian's helper in my high school library and loved handling all the books. I'm so very glad you stopped by and shared today. :)
DeleteI hate it when I don't feel something is accurate for period! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteJoan, I know what you mean, and I try my best, however, I have to say that sometimes, despite hours of research, we either can't find the answer, or we find several opposing views - like in this case. And then there are the times when regional differences come into play. Those are the times I wonder why I try so hard.
DeleteMy husband used to be a cop, and now that he's a regular reader of Inspiration Romantic Suspense, he laughs at many books (and TV shows) that show erroneous and implausible theories or facts. But, he says he won't let them spoil his pleasure of the actual story.
I guess we're all trying to find the truth even though we sometimes miss the mark.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like you had to do a little digging!
ReplyDeletePattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Yes, Patty, but I love digging! In my free time, I'm a rock hound, which involves actual digging, too. :D
DeleteI think that's half the reason we write historical, Anita. We like the research!
ReplyDeleteAlso, we all spent a fair amount of effort to set cameo visits by other characters and keep the interaction and returning 'setting' true. Thanks for your diligence, Anita!
Thanks for popping in, Deb. Yes, I treasured the time I spent with the rest of you on creating and research, emailing images back and forth, etc. Writing is such a lonely career and it was so nice to work as a group this time.
DeleteAnita Mae, you always turn up the most interesting research. And that love of the history just pervades your stories and makes them so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa, that's an honor coming from you. I can't wait until Volume 2 comes out with your story in it. :)
DeleteAs a Texas State Fair goer for many, many years, I found this fascinating. You always impress me with your research, Anita! Looking forward to reading this story. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha! I was hoping you'd get a chance to read it, DeAnna. I was sitting on the edge of my chair waiting for you to pop in with something I'd overlooked. Phew. You made my day! :)
DeleteAs always, a fascinating post full of cool visuals, Anita Mae.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of Romantic Refinements! Such a fun story, and I'm so excited to be part of the book with you!
Thanks, Susie, and nice words about the images although I know they didn't come out too well despite my best efforts.
DeletePerhaps we can work on another project once your current deadlines are over? I'd love that!
Congratulations, Patty. You won. I'll be sending you an email shortly.
ReplyDelete