In 2025, the Iowa State Fair will have been at its current home location in Des Moines, Iowa for 139 years, but it did not always live there.

Iowa officially joined the Union and gained statehood in 1846. In 1853, a mere seven years after, a call would be sent out to every county to send a representative to Fairfield, Iowa, in order to brainstorm how best to celebrate and stimulate interest in Iowa agriculture and its advancement. The organizers of this, Judge Thomas Clagett of Keokuk and J. M. Schaffer of Fairfield, were both members of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society – though not farmers themselves – and saw a need for a state-wide agriculture society, especially because Iowa was the only state in the Union not to have one.

Only five counties would send representatives to this meeting, but those few would officially found the Iowa State Agricultural Society and organize the first Iowa agriculture festival in Fairfield, held for three days in late October 1854. Entrance was a mere 25 cents per adult man, while women and children attended for free. 7-10,000 Iowans would arrive on foot and horse to attend between October 25-27. The fair’s primary goal was promoting and celebrating agriculture, with entertainment merely an incidental side effect. The fair would be held again the following year in Fairfield but would spend the next twenty-five years or so moving around the state, finding hosts in temporary structures erected in Fairfield, Muscatine, Oskaloosa, Iowa City, Dubuque, Burlington, Clinton, Keokuk, and Cedar Rapids.

Around 1878, however, it became clear that this constant movement was only hurting the fair, as the cost to put up the structures each year could hardly be offset by sales and attendance fluctuated based on location. And so, the hunt began to find a permanent home for the Iowa State Fair. The state deliberated and declared that whatever city could raise enough money to match the funds allocated by the state would gain the honor of hosting the fair forevermore. A wealthy Iowa philanthropist – whose name is known but could not be found for the writing of this article – claimed to have once stood on a hill, looked upon the valley below him, and had a vision: a great central road running straight to the hill, framed by grand buildings and cheering people. This hill? Capitol Hill in Des Moines, Iowa. He raised the $50,000 needed from Des Moines residents to bring the fair permanently home to Des Moines and the state matched his efforts as promised for a total of $100,000.

While the fair would have a home, it would not yet look as it does today. The fair would move to Des Moines in 1879 and be held in western Des Moines in a park that has since been replaced with a residential site until its current home was procured and cemented in history in 1886. The land for the fair’s forever home would be purchased from a farmer named Calvin Thornton, coming with his home and barn. While the barn remains, though renovated, and is known as Grandfather’s barn, the house is gone. Though the fair had a home, it would continue to live out of wooden buildings and tents until more permanent structures were established in 1886 at the fair’s new permanent location, with electric lights hung in 1888. Of those 67 first buildings built in 1886, only Pioneer Hall still stands. Unfortunately, those early buildings would be showing signs of decay and roof damage by 1902 and would begin needing replaced. The first new structure was the Livestock Pavilion, which still exists today.

The fair would heavily contribute financially to the 1893 10-day street festival hosted by Des Moines businessmen featuring a massive fireworks display meant to mimic the volcano of Pompeii. The fair board hoped that this festival would help bring people to the fair. Unfortunately, it did the opposite, pulling away so many people the fair found itself in debt, swearing that all such future spectacles must take place on the grounds if they were to occur at the same time as the fair.

In 1898, the fair would be closed on account of both the World’s Fair held in Omaha, Nebraska and the Spanish-American War, during which it served as a military camp. In 1899, the fair would come back stronger than ever, with more permanent and grander livestock buildings and for the first time having paved streets. It was also sometime around then that the fair board was forced to realize that people wanted to experience more than education and agriculture at the fair – they wanted entertainment. While entertainment was not foreign to the fair, with earlier fairs having bands and equestrian shows and even a chariot race in 1880, most entertainment was a side notion or an incidental side effect of an intended agricultural display. That would change as the 1900s approached and dawned. The first Midway would be built, and entertainers such as bands and other performers, even once a Burlesque dancer, would become more common. Games of chance also began appearing, though Iowans feared gambling to the point even Bingo was illegal in the state until the 1970s. The fair would also have races and, on multiple occasions, arrange for steam locomotives to crash into each other and explode. One particular time even a live plane crash was arranged to wow fair goers. The central part of the Grandstand was built in the early 1900s, as a way of viewing the finishing line of the races, and expanded in 1927. The full piece was covered that same year in brick as a memorial to Iowans who died in WWI.

The fair would close again in 1942 due to both the request of the War Department and recognition that it would be irresponsible considering rationing. Fire-proof structures would be leased to the government for one dollar to be used for equipment storage and training grounds. The fair would close again in 2020 due to COVID-19, though a virtual program would be presented and various vendors would be on the open grounds several days selling to anyone who showed up.

Today, the fair is a beautiful, thriving occasion. Its 450-acre grounds and 160 acres of the ever-expanding attached campgrounds are registered on the National Register of Historic Places, with most buildings pre-dating WWI and serving as priceless examples of American exposition-style architecture, and it continues to grow. The fair has seen presidents, celebrities, legislators, and all sorts of people of all backgrounds from all over the world. It has its own novel, musical and three movies. It is the second largest fair in the country, one of the most popular, and by far the most famous! The Iowa State Fair has been listed in multiple magazines and books as a must-see place, and it is considered “America’s Classic State Fair.” In 2023 the Smithsonian even sent representatives to gather information and resources for a 2025-26 exhibit on state fair crafts featuring artwork from Iowans entered into competitive events at the Iowa State Fair.

At the fair, visitors can see all kinds of amazing artworks of various media and prize-winning animals of all kinds. There is an abundance of food available! From pork chops “on-a-stick” to turkey legs and BLTs to all kinds of ice cream and frozen chocolate dipped bananas; from noodles to fresh melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies to apple slices with caramel; and for the more adventurous taste testers there’s alligator “on-a-stick” and even gold dusted lobster and caviar in a bun grilled in duck fat and served with champagne – barbecue, international, classics, and so much more! Find classic fair foods such as corn dogs and funnel cakes or unique options such as sweet corn ice cream and rattlesnake nachos. There are concerts and games, rides and shows, spectacles and many other things to experience! Enjoy a free hard-boiled egg “on-a-stick” or dollar milk from a vending machine. Take a break to stroll through the garden or sit at the DNR. Look at cakes that are gorgeous and cakes that are hideous. Experience the roots of the fair as you watch a horse show or livestock judging and walk through the farm equipment fixed up by students or on sale by agricultural innovators. And of course, there’s the Butter Cow.

The Iowa State Fair has a rich and fascinating history and is just as wonderous and exciting still today. Whatever you want to experience, you can find it at the fair. As they say, “Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair.”

MB, Intern

Shelby County Historical Museum

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Heritage Woodworks, Inc. to complete the preservation work on the McIntosh and Leland cabins!

Heritage Woodworks, Inc. is based in Clemons, Iowa. They work on timber frame and historic restoration projects throughout the state of Iowa. Our favorite bit about them from their website is: "We love our families, good chisels, sharp blades, beautiful woodgrain, traditional joinery and the smell of sawdust." We are looking to working with a group that is so passionate about their work!

A team from Heritage Woodworks, Inc. visited the cabins in August 2022 to assess the cabins and determine what needs to be done to ensure they remain a community resource for many years to come.

Their plans for our cabins include:

• Remove the exterior chinking that is currently falling from the structures
• Treat exposed logs with boron preservative in rot prone areas
• Apply Sashco insecticide to the logs
• Apply Q8 log oil with a mold-resistant additive to the logs
• Install a historic mix chinking that includes colorant and straw for a period-appropriate appearance
• Repair window sashes
• Reglaze window panes
• Replace rotted logs
• Stabilize the structures using internal hardware
• Repair decayed log portions using the dutchman's repair
• Install vents for the foundation
• Reframe the roofs to original, steeper pitch
• Replace metal roofs with rubber roof shakes for a more period-appropriate appearance

We're hoping to begin this work in the late summer or early fall this year. We can't wait to document the process to add to our records!

To contribute to the project, visit https://www.shelbycoiamuseum.org/Donate. We appreciate your support!

Gailyn Larsen was born in Harlan on October 17, 1942 to Ivan and Alice Larsen. He attended country school and worked in the fields from an early age. After graduating from Harlan High School, he attended the University of Nebraska and earned a degree in Business Administration in 1964 and graduated from law school in 1967.

Linda Booth was born in Schenectady, New York on April 9, 1943 to Robert and Mary Booth. She graduated from Harlan High School and went on to earn a degree in education from the University of Nebraska.

While students at Harlan High School, Gailyn and Linda were both members of the Ninety Club, Quill and Scroll, and the National Honors Society. They also worked together on The Cyclone, the school newspaper.

Gailyn and Linda were married in Harlan on August 15, 1964. Together, they raised two children, Andrea and Jeffrey. Though life took their family to Nebraska, Indiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida, they both maintained a strong love of Shelby County.

Before having children, Linda taught elementary school. She was known for her commitment to volunteering, generously giving her time to the Junior League, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and community and school organizations.

Gailyn was known for his stories about growing up in rural Iowa, and loved to share wisdom learned through years of hard work and perseverance. He used skills learned while working on his family farm to develop successful careers in the United States Army, law, business, and transportation logistics.

Throughout their lives, they enjoyed spending time with each other, and with family and friends gained from a lifetime of adventure.

Linda passed away in November of 2020, and Gailyn passed in February 2022. Their children, Andrea Larsen Hayden and Jeffrey Larsen hoped to find a way to memorialize the lives of their parents.

We are honored that Andrea and Jeffrey selected the Shelby County Historical Museum to receive memorial donations in support of our Historic Log Cabin Preservation Project after Gailyn's passing.

They have also chosen to provide an additional $100,000 donation to help preserve the historic McIntosh and Leland log cabins. In recognition of their generosity, the historic log cabin plaza will be named in honor of Gailyn and Linda Larsen, and their love of Shelby County. We are honored to become part of Gailyn and Linda's legacy and serve as a reminder of their pride in Shelby County.

Christen Pedersen (b. 1865—d. 1945) emigrated from Denmark to America in 1888 at the age of 23. Seven years later on April 18, 1894 Christen Pedersen married another Danish immigrant, Marie Lauritsen (b. 1873—d. 1953).

Marie was born to parents Eli Lauritsen (b. 1843) and Karen Hansen (b. 1845) in Tranderup Kirke, Denmark. Marie immigrated to America in 1890 at the age of 17 with her family. The family moved to Shelby County, where Christen and Marie met.

After their marriage, Christen and Marie had four children: Miller (b. 1895), Eli (b. 1898), William (b. 1900), and Rose (b. 1909). The family farmed in Jackson Township located in eastern Shelby County. To help transport the family during Iowa winters Christen Pedersen built this horse-drawn cutter in the 1890s. A cutter is a lightweight, open sleigh. Most cutters only had one seat that would hold two people; however, the Pedersen's needed more room in their sleigh so everyone could ride at the same time.

The family hired George Jensen, a Danish immigrant, in 1920 to help with daily activities on the farm. Rose and George fell in love and got married on August 11, 1936. George donated the handmade sleigh to the Shelby County Historical Museum in the 1970s.

This 135 year old horse-drawn cutter is still being used! Christen Pedersen had no idea when he made this sleigh that it would be a highlight of a holiday event, but we are glad that it is! At Santa in the Cabins visitors were able to take family pictures in the cutter.

Throughout Women's History Month we have learned about many different Shelby County women who made differences not only in our community, but throughout America.

Today we will learn about Astrid Willadsen, and her husband Chris, who actively participated in the Danish Underground Resistance Movement during WWII.

Astrid, daughter of Andreas and Nikoline Villadsen, was born on November 17, 1914 in Guldager, Denmark. In September 1935, two months before her 21st birthday, Astrid married Chris Willadsen.

Nazi occupation of Denmark began on April 9, 1940. Instead of fleeing before the German invasion, the Danish king and government worked alongside German authorities. Due to this collaboration few changes were noticed in the everyday life of Danish citizens.

However, Danish Resistance Groups formed as soon as four days after Nazi forces occupied Denmark. Chris and Astrid Willadsen were actively involved in the Danish Underground Resistance Movement which blew up German troop trains as well as helping hide Jews and downed pilots until they could be moved to safety.

After the end of WWII Chris, Astrid, and their family moved to Irwin, Iowa. Astrid passed away on March 1, 2008 at the age of ninety-three.

Dr. Mary Jane Wyland was born in Harlan on December 19, 1883. At the age of 17 Mary Wyland was listed as a teacher in the 1900 Harlan High School Annual Yearbook. Five years later, in 1905, Mary Wyland graduated from Grinnell College; Grinnell, Iowa and received her Master of Arts degree from Teachers College, Columbia University.

In 1915, Dr. Mary Wyland became the superintendent of the Harlan Community School District.

Pictured is Dr. Wyland in the 1916 Harpoon yearbook where she is quoted saying, “For if she will, she will, and you may depend on it. And if she won’t, she won’t and there is an end on it.” She left the Harlan Community School District in 1926 and joined the Penn State faculty in 1927. Mary Wyland retired from Penn State in 1952.

Upon her retirement, Junitata College, at Huntingdon, awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for her “wide influence on public and collegiate education in Pennsylvania.”

In 1957, the Pennsylvania Governor George Michael Leader appointed Dr. Wyland as a trustee of the Pennsylvania State University and she continued in this post until the expiration of her term in 1964. Dr. Wyland also had a scholarship named for her by the Scrolls campus society.

Mary Wyland was an active member of Pi Lambra Theta, honorary for women in education, and was affiliated also with numerous other professional and education groups, including Phi Kappa Phi, Pennsylvania Education Associate, and the national Education Association. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, American Associate of University Women, Altrusa Club, Business and Professional Women’s Club, League of Women’s Voters, and the Woman’s Club.

Happy Women's History Month! Each week during this month we will highlight and learn about women from Shelby County and their lives.

Pictured is Thelma "Toots" Heflin (1913-1995) helping Dave Schechinger organize the Shelby County Historical Museum's store room in 1990.

On May 18, 1913 Thelma was born in Grafton, NE to her parents Clifford and Elizabeth Cade. In 1916, her family moved to Shelby County. At the age of 16 Thelma graduated from Harlan High School (Class of 1929). Three years later on June 2, 1931 she married Gaillard Heflin.

For many years Thelma wrote a Harlan Newspaper column, "Down on the Farm". This article covered many different topics, but mainly she shared the history of Shelby County in a gripping way. On May 30, 1977 she wrote, "... We had been going past those two big cement (or rock) pieces at the west end of the new Nishnabotna River bridge and I kept wondering if they could possibly have been a part of the old Chatburn Mill, which had been on that exact location when it was built... I stopped by to see Gladys Reynolds, because J.W. Chatburn, builder of the mill, was her great-grandfather and I felt she'd KNOW. She got out her collection of pictures of the Mill and, sure enough, there didn't seem to be any place where large chunks of cement would have been used... It was fascinating, as always, to hear her tell about the Mill. How it was opened with a dance on Christmas Day, 1876. The 'forby' and the 'mill-race' and the 'dry bridge' close by are all intriguing terms..."

Thelma was a charter member of the Shelby County Historical Society. Not only did Thelma help preserve the history of Shelby County, she volunteered locally for over 60 years. She spent time volunteering for 4-H, Eastern Star Lebanon Chapter # 8, Church Women United, Shelby County Farm Bureau, Shelby County Extension Service, PTA, Harlan Community School Board, Baptist Memorial Home, Harlan Literary Club, and many other organizations.

Happy Women's History Month! Each week during this month we will highlight and learn about women from Shelby County and their life experiences.

This week we will learn about Elleen Wheatley.

"With her husband and twin brother serving overseas in the U.S. Army during World War II, Elleen Wheatley wanted to join the war effort, too.

"Though she had been working in munitions plants, first in Burlington and then in Ankeny, the 24-year-old felt the calling to enlist in the military. She joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943, serving until the war's end in 1945...

"'I'm proud to say I'm a Marine,' she said. 'Most Marines are proud of our job and what we were doing.'

"After enlisting in the Marine Corps on July 1, 1943, Wheatley attended basic training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., before being assigned to Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station Mojave in Mojave, Calif. as a quartermaster.

"She was a native of the Leslie, Iowa, a town razed by the construction of Interstate 35. She worked as a transportation manager, coordinating trains for everything from soldiers heading out for training to ensuring soldiers' remains were sent home.

"While in Mojave, Wheatley and the other Marines met Bob Hope on the one of the first stops of his tours of military bases. However, she said, Hope performed only for the male Marines, leaving her and her fellow women behind.

"In that era, the Marine Corps didn't send women into overseas service, she said. The farthest place she could have been assigned was in Hawaii, but she resisted that. Instead, she hoped to stay on the mainland for when her husband, who was serving the European theater, would come home.

"And that he did. Both were discharged late in 1945... Wheatley said. 'I just wanted to do my part in the service.'"

"Living Heroes, Elleen Wheatley" written by John Schreier.

Happy #WomensHistoryMonth! Each week during this month we will highlight and learn about women from Shelby County and their life experiences.

Pictured is Henrietta "Ada" Bomberger (1886 - 1982)

Henrietta was born on January 28, 1886 to William and Arabelle Bomberger. The Bomberger's settled in Harlan three years after the town was incorporated in 1879. At this point Harlan was nothing more than a small village. If the family wanted to visit their relatives in Illinois, they would take a hack or hackney carriage, a horse-drawn cab, to Earling or Kirkman so they could take the Maple Leaf. The Maple Leaf was the main line for the Chicago's Great Western Railway. At the age of 22, Henrietta married Earle Cullums of Cook County, Illinois. A year later on June 17, 1919 the state of Illinois gave women the right to vote.

Throughout her life Henrietta witnessed the first recorded flight (1903), WWI (1914 - 1918), Spanish Influenza (1918 - 1920), common use of automobiles (1920s), the Great Depression (1929 - 1933), electricity in homes (1930s - 1940s), WWII (1939 - 1945), invention of the first computer (1943), the start of the Cold War (1947), Apollo 11 and men on the moon (1969), invention of cell phones (1973), and so much more.

After 96 years of experiences, Henrietta Cullums took her last breath on December 1, 1982 in Lyons, Kansas.

During March of 2020, we set out to improve spaces within the Shelby County Historical Museum. One of the spaces was the Wayne Alwill Research Center.

We added a fresh coat of paint and installed shelving to house our record and document collections. The gray boxes you see in this picture help to provide a safe and stable environment for our historical documents.

The research center now features a dedicated workstation with access to physical documents, digitized resources, and online databases.

We have the tools you need to decipher tricky handwriting, learn more about the world that your great-grandmother grew up in, or even discover the missing link in your family tree!

The Research Center is available during our normal business hours Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm. The cost to use the Research Center in person is listed below.

Member Cost	Free
Non-Member Cost	$10/Day

If you are looking to do research on the weekend, contact us to make a weekend research appointment!