Great Barrington Fairgrounds
Great Barrington, Mass (May 31, 2010).
These Fairgrounds were used for many years for annual fairs and horse races. The Fair was closed in 1995 after a tornado ripped through Great Barrington and the Fairgrounds were damaged heavily. Old 'No Trespassing' signs and a couple in a car stopped me from venturing in.
The Fair has some interesting history. On the back edge of the lot there is an unmarked Native American burial ground. It dates to before the 1700s and had been excavated in the 1800s. A Fair was first proposed in 1771 but nothing was established until 1842 with the formation of the Housatonic Agricultural Society. The original Fair was held on Main Street in Great Barrington. In 1854 it moves to the current location. Buildings and the dirt track is built for horse shows and racing. In 1920, motorcycle races are held at the track. In 1943, the State Racing Commission grants a 10-day license for horse racing. After the 1995 tornado, the facilities are rebuilt but the Fair, and the racing, fail to regain a following. The Fair is closed by 2000.
I did find a message board post from someone whose family used to own it. She said the business caused a lot of pain and suffering in her family. It is "filled with very bad memories" for herself and brother.
Today the Fairgrounds face development into commercial space, including proposals for a hotel and shopping center. The grounds make up a floodplain for several nearby rivers, making long term planning difficult.
Read MoreThese Fairgrounds were used for many years for annual fairs and horse races. The Fair was closed in 1995 after a tornado ripped through Great Barrington and the Fairgrounds were damaged heavily. Old 'No Trespassing' signs and a couple in a car stopped me from venturing in.
The Fair has some interesting history. On the back edge of the lot there is an unmarked Native American burial ground. It dates to before the 1700s and had been excavated in the 1800s. A Fair was first proposed in 1771 but nothing was established until 1842 with the formation of the Housatonic Agricultural Society. The original Fair was held on Main Street in Great Barrington. In 1854 it moves to the current location. Buildings and the dirt track is built for horse shows and racing. In 1920, motorcycle races are held at the track. In 1943, the State Racing Commission grants a 10-day license for horse racing. After the 1995 tornado, the facilities are rebuilt but the Fair, and the racing, fail to regain a following. The Fair is closed by 2000.
I did find a message board post from someone whose family used to own it. She said the business caused a lot of pain and suffering in her family. It is "filled with very bad memories" for herself and brother.
Today the Fairgrounds face development into commercial space, including proposals for a hotel and shopping center. The grounds make up a floodplain for several nearby rivers, making long term planning difficult.
