Hendricks - California State Fair

The first annual state agricultural exposition authorized by the California State Agricultural Society was held in San Francisco starting on October 4, 1854, at the Musical Hall on Bush Street near Montgomery Street. The stock show was held at Mission Delores. The California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences ran this as the front page of its August 17, 1854 extra edition. (California State Library, California Section.)

James Lloyd Lafayette Franklin Warren was the father of the California State Fair and Exposition. This undated image was taken late in his life. Warren was also the founder and publisher of The California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences , in which all things agricultural were discussed. In the first issue, January 5, 1854, he covered the convention held in San Francisco for the purpose of founding the state agricultural society. The convention came about as a result of both a petition he had circulated earlier and the success of his two prior agricultural expositions. (CSH.)

Pictured here is James L. L. F. Warrens New England Seed Store at 3 J Street in Sacramento. His first fair, in 1852, was held in the second floor Agricultural Hall. Among many other accomplishments, Warren is credited with bringing the camellia to Sacramento, where it continues to be a favorite with landscapers and homeowners. (CSH.)

The first United States Governor of California, Peter Burnett, supported the growth of agriculture in California. He noted that, while the mineral wealth of California was impressive, it was the potential of agricultural and commercial endeavors that would make the state great. (CSH.)

This ribbon is from the 1855 fair held in Sacramento. The ribbon is white silk and the design and lettering are blue. It is not known what it was awarded for, though perhaps it was given as a first prize or to an exhibitor. (CSH.).

Pictured here is the first Sacramento County courthouse at Seventh & I Streets. The exhibits of the State Fair of 1855 were held in this building, which also housed state offices. While it may appear to be decorated for the fair, this photograph was taken during a celebration for the Fourth of July. (CSH.)

While the main exhibition was held in Sacramento, the stock show of 1855 was held at the Louisiana Race Course, near what is now the Curtis Park neighborhood south of downtown Sacramento. As depicted here, the venue was probably quite a busy place. Note the large pile of hay in the right foreground. (CSH.)

In 1856, the State Fair was held in San Jose. Shown here is the cover of the Official Report for 1856. It is one of the few pieces from the San Jose fair to survive. (CSH.)

In the 1850s, the fair was held in a different venue each year to give as many people as possible an opportunity to attend. One possible reason for this is that transportation was difficult in this period. The fair was held in Marysville in 1858 at this exhibit hall, built specifically for the exposition. (California State Archives.)

In 1859, the exposition came back to Sacramento and was held at the new Agricultural Hall designed by Miner Frederic Butler, the architect of the state capitol. Upon his death in 1871 at the young age of 46, the Daily Alta California referred to him as the pioneer architect of San Francisco. (CSH.)