The original King's Fair operated from 1877 to 1882 on a large fairgrounds bounded on the east and west by 30th and 24th Avenues South, and on the north and south by Franklin Avenue and East 24th Street. Beginning in 1979, King's Fair has been remembered and celebrated bi-annually at Matthews Park with the help of volunteers from the community.
In 1863 the Hennepin County Agricultural Society purchased this land as a home for the Minnesota State Fair. However, there were not sufficient funds to develop the site. In 1865 four businessmen decided to contribute to the promotion of Minneapolis by sponsoring the first fair. George A Brackett, Dorilus Morrison, William S. King and J.M Eustis provided $13,000 to build a fence, a racetrack and several other buildings. It was a great success, and reportedly drew a crowd of 12,000 to 15,000 people. Nevertheless, the fairgrounds were not used again until 1877.
In 1877 as president of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, Colonel William S. King was in charge of the first "Minneapolis Exposition." Many buildings were erected including an Agricultural Hall, Mechanical Hall, Art Hall, racetrack, amphitheater, dining rooms and stables. Thousands of people came from Minnesota and the surrounding states. In 1878 Colonel William S. King continued the fair with sponsorhip again by a group of Minneapolis businessmen in conjunction with the Minnesota Agricultural and Mechanical Association. Many special events were staged through the years including an appearance by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878, and an impressive hot-air balloon launch in 1881. The balloon's destination was Boston or Philadelphia or New York depending on the air currents, but instead landed a few miles away in a field in Ramsey County.
- Bring Your Own Pen!
- Very high traffic area so please use stealth!