Memory Bank: A crowd along the Indiana State Fair midway

Indiana hosted its first state fair in 1852 in what is now Military Park downtown. For several years, the fair moved around the state until landing in 1892 at its current location. Over the years, the state has added a number of barns and buildings to the fairgrounds to host exhibits, competitions and agricultural products. This aerial view of the Indiana State Fair—taken on Sept. 5, 1938—showcases the midway as well as the Indiana Department of Conservation tent, which is touting its successful raccoon restocking program. This year’s fair runs Aug. 2-18.

Sources: Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Credit: This photo is courtesy of the Indiana Historical Society and is part of the J.C. Allen and Son Collection. More images are available at images.indianahistory.org.