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The Lycoming County Fair and surrounding community in 1870

By Carol Sones Shelter - | Jul 28, 2021

CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary High School classmates to hear speaker David Richards share highlights from the area of 150 years ago in coordination with the 150th anniversary of the Lycoming County Fair were as follows: (front l-r): Ann Frantz, Myerstown; Leslie Gordner, Hughesville; Earl Frontz, Myerstown. (Back row): Mike Miller, Nordmont; speaker David Richards, and Tom Shaner, Muncy.

The beginnings of what is now the Lycoming County Fair, was chronicled by guest speaker David Richards at the fair grounds on July 17, 2021. The Picture Rocks native and historian was introduced by fair president, Rocky Reed, a former high school classmate.

Snippets taken from local newspapers listed happenings in 1870 when the speaker said, “The Muncy Valley Farmer’s Club of Hughesville organized in August 1868 with 10 members, the forerunner of the fair.”

Serving as president and secretary unto 1873, were Dr. George Hill and Daniel Steck, respectively. The first exhibition held in the fall of 1870 on the current grounds was reportedly, “Quite successful, there being about 1,000 entries to exhibit stock, grain, vegetables, flowers and fine arts in an effort to develop the best modes of farming.”

Over the five days, events were held with the race-track always an important feature. The main purpose as found by Richards was “to instruct through interchange of ideas and exhibitions of products, livestock, handiwork and manufactured articles.” Also, “Entertainment and amusement inevitably became part of every county fair with professional entertainers, carnivals, side shows, jugglers, medicine shows, operators of games of chance and politicians.”

So did the county have enough residents to display and attend the fair? Richards included census statistics so as to know the potential. Numbers in cities and towns included Jersey Shore, 1,400; Williamsport, 16,000; Montoursville, 1,000; Muncy, 1,000 and 450 for Hughesville.

A listing of news taking place unrelated to the fair gives us a flavor of what went on in the community. Referring often to the pages of The Muncy Luminary, Richards reported, “In January 1870, patrons were asked to call at office to settle accounts. The publisher also offered a $10 reward for reporting anyone stealing papers from doorways and porches of subscribers.”

In March, the local paper reported that, “The West Branch Canal Company was engaged in rebuilding the lock below Port Penn with new gates of an improved pattern are also being put in all the locks at this point.”

A fair preceding that in Lycoming County was the one in Sullivan County, which held its seventh annual fair in Forksville in October 1870. It toted itself as being the Sullivan County Agricultural Society.

On program night 2021, the slashing of lightening and clashing of thunder, along with a deluge of rain did not dampen attendance, for benches were filled with folks while many others stood around the outer edges.

One could say Richards had his own fan club for in addition to Rocky Reed, additional Hughesville High School classmates included Earl and Anne Frantz of Myerstown, Mike Miller from Nordmont, Leslie Gordner of Hughesville and Tom Shaner, Muncy.