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Rosebud County - Community Benefits of the New Deal

Background Info/ Historical Story:

“Before there were any buildings on the fairgrounds, a large tent was used as an exhibit building. On June 23 , 1916, F. E. Eggleston's bid of $2,206 was accepted by the County Commissioners to construct a grandstand, exhibit hall and rest rooms. A 4-H Building was built later, but no record of the date. However, the building is still being used and is across the race track, and houses the Rodeo Office. At one time it housed the fair office, race office and rodeo office. During the 1930's, much building was done with WPA funds and labor. The grandstand was enlarged; the present exhibit building and 4-H poultry building (now used for the 4-H breeding stock), and barns were built with WPA funds and labor. New rodeo chutes were built in 1952 with volunteer labor, the Concession building was built in 1960, another addition was added to the west wing of the exhibit building in 1960, and the fair office was moved under the grandstand. In 1975, a new grandstand was built. The Rosebud County Fair has been the big event of the year since 1906, and a fair has been held every year except in 1934, when the county was plagued by droutgh, grasshoppers , Mormon crickets, and the depression, and in 1945, when the prisoners of war were housed at the fairgrounds from May, 1945, to December, 1945. During the three days of the fair, all business houses would close at noon for everyone to attend the fair. Main Street was as deserted as a ghost town until after the afternoon program. Then the stores would open for a couple of hours. There are still a few stores that close the afternoons of the fair, but most of the businesses stay open but do give their help one afternoon off.”- They Came and Stayed, Rosebud County Book

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