Grand Forks County Fairgrounds WPA Structures
Encyclopedia
Grand Forks County Fairgrounds WPA Structures is a collection of five structures within the Grand Forks County Fairgrounds in Grand Forks, North Dakota
, that were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2009.
The structures are the fairgrounds entrance gate, ticket kiosk, administration building, and cairns, all built from stone, as well as the fairgrounds grandstand. They are located on the grounds of the Grand Forks State Fair Grounds and are associated with the River Cities Speedway
. "The five remaining structures have been recognized as historically significant, examples of the importance of county and state fairs to local culture and social history."
The structures were built between 1936 and 1939 by the Works Progress Administration
(WPA). U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
attended the 1937 dedication ceremony for the Grand Forks County Fairgrounds grandstand
, which was designed by Grand Forks architect Theodore B. Wells and was considered to be innovative in its design.
Steve C. Martens, an architect and North Dakota State University
professor, wrote the NRHP nomination. He commented extensively at a public hearing describing the importance of the structures. According to Martens, the project was the largest WPA project in the state.
In 2009 the listed structures included three contributing buildings, one contributing structure, and one contributing object. The nominated listing covers an area of 51 acres (20.6 ha). The listing is described as including Art Deco and WPA Rustic Fieldstone architecture.
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
, that were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2009.
The structures are the fairgrounds entrance gate, ticket kiosk, administration building, and cairns, all built from stone, as well as the fairgrounds grandstand. They are located on the grounds of the Grand Forks State Fair Grounds and are associated with the River Cities Speedway
River Cities Speedway
River Cities Speedway is a high-banked clay oval racetrack located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Races are held every Friday night from mid-April through mid-September. Racing events feature sprint cars, late models, modifides, and street stocks, and River Cities Speedway is the only track in...
. "The five remaining structures have been recognized as historically significant, examples of the importance of county and state fairs to local culture and social history."
The structures were built between 1936 and 1939 by the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
(WPA). U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
attended the 1937 dedication ceremony for the Grand Forks County Fairgrounds grandstand
Grandstand
A grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
, which was designed by Grand Forks architect Theodore B. Wells and was considered to be innovative in its design.
Steve C. Martens, an architect and North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
professor, wrote the NRHP nomination. He commented extensively at a public hearing describing the importance of the structures. According to Martens, the project was the largest WPA project in the state.
In 2009 the listed structures included three contributing buildings, one contributing structure, and one contributing object. The nominated listing covers an area of 51 acres (20.6 ha). The listing is described as including Art Deco and WPA Rustic Fieldstone architecture.