Fairground Park
Encyclopedia
Fairground Park is a municipal park
in St. Louis
, Missouri
, that opened in 1908. It was originally a privately owned facility, used by the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association for the St. Louis Exposition from 1856 through 1902 (though interrupted by the Civil War
). The annual exposition ceased in 1902 as preparations for the 1904 World's Fair began. Another blow to the fair's revival after 1904 was the abolition of horse racing
in Missouri in 1905.
In 1908, after protracted political debate, the abandoned 132 acre (0.53418552 km²) fairground was purchased from the association for park use by St. Louis for $700,000. The park was dedicated on October 9, 1909.
All of the former fair structures and zoo
buildings were removed except the bear pit
s of the old zoo and the amphitheater. In 1912, the amphitheater was removed and replaced by the city's first municipal swimming pool, then said to be the world's largest. This was replaced by a new pool in 1958 as part of the 1955 bond issue program, which also provided lighted ball diamonds and hardsurface tennis courts.
At the corner of Grand Boulevard
and Natural Bridge Avenue, the facade of the old bear pits still stands at the park's main entrance.
. It is bordered by Grand Boulevard
to the east, Natural Bridge Road on the south, Fair Street to the west, and Kossuth Street to the north.
to the northwest, Greater Ville
to the southwest, and Vandeventer
to the southeast.
Urban park
An urban park, is also known as a municipal park or a public park, public open space or municipal gardens , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of, and visitors to, the municipality...
in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, that opened in 1908. It was originally a privately owned facility, used by the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association for the St. Louis Exposition from 1856 through 1902 (though interrupted by the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
). The annual exposition ceased in 1902 as preparations for the 1904 World's Fair began. Another blow to the fair's revival after 1904 was the abolition of horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
in Missouri in 1905.
In 1908, after protracted political debate, the abandoned 132 acre (0.53418552 km²) fairground was purchased from the association for park use by St. Louis for $700,000. The park was dedicated on October 9, 1909.
All of the former fair structures and zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
buildings were removed except the bear pit
Bear pit
A bear pit was historically used to display bears, typically for entertainment and especially bear-baiting. The pit area was normally surrounded by a high fence, above which the spectators would look down on the bears....
s of the old zoo and the amphitheater. In 1912, the amphitheater was removed and replaced by the city's first municipal swimming pool, then said to be the world's largest. This was replaced by a new pool in 1958 as part of the 1955 bond issue program, which also provided lighted ball diamonds and hardsurface tennis courts.
At the corner of Grand Boulevard
Grand Boulevard (St. Louis)
Grand Boulevard is a major, seven to five lane wide, north-south thoroughfare running through the center of St. Louis, Missouri. Grand runs north through Carondolet Park in the south of St. Louis to the Mississippi River north of McKinley Bridge, about midway between Forest Park and the Mississippi...
and Natural Bridge Avenue, the facade of the old bear pits still stands at the park's main entrance.
Geography
Fairgrounds Park is located near Old North St. LouisOld North St. Louis
Old North St. Louis is a neighborhood just north and very slightly west of the downtown area of St. Louis, Missouri. Known for the landmark Crown Candy Kitchen, historic 19th century brick homes, and its award-winning community gardens, Old North St. Louis is home to a diverse and active community....
. It is bordered by Grand Boulevard
Grand Boulevard (St. Louis)
Grand Boulevard is a major, seven to five lane wide, north-south thoroughfare running through the center of St. Louis, Missouri. Grand runs north through Carondolet Park in the south of St. Louis to the Mississippi River north of McKinley Bridge, about midway between Forest Park and the Mississippi...
to the east, Natural Bridge Road on the south, Fair Street to the west, and Kossuth Street to the north.
Surrounding areas
The park is surrounded by four neighborhoods. They are Fairground to the northeast, O'FallonO'Fallon, St. Louis
O'Fallon is a neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. The neighborhood is located on the north side of the City of St. Louis, nestled between O’Fallon Park and Fairgrounds Park...
to the northwest, Greater Ville
Greater Ville, St. Louis
Greater Ville is a neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. The area is bounded by Marcus Avenue on the northwest, Natural Bridge Road on the northeast, Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and St. Louis Avenue on the south via North Taylor Avenue and Sarah Street, and North Vandeventer Avenue on the...
to the southwest, and Vandeventer
Vandeventer, St. Louis
Vandeventer is a neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. The area is bounded by Dr. Martin Luther King Drive on the North, Delmar Boulevard on the South, Vandeventer Avenue on the East, and Newstead Avenue on the West.-History:...
to the southeast.
See also
- People and culture of St. Louis, MissouriPeople and culture of St. Louis, MissouriThe culture of St. Louis, Missouri includes a variety of attractions located within the city of St. Louis, Missouri and in surrounding communities in Greater St...
- Neighborhoods of St. LouisNeighborhoods of St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri, is divided into 79 neighborhoods. Census data is collected for each neighborhood, as well as crime data, historic property data, and dining establishment health ratings. National historic neighborhoods are identified by the official neighborhood to which they belong.Also,...
- Parks in St. Louis, MissouriParks in St. Louis, MissouriParks in St. Louis, Missouri are administered by the city of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, the National Park Service, or a separate private board, and include 105 city parks and several other recreational areas....
External links
- What Remains of Fairgrounds Park - Fairground Park - What Remains Today