As Oregon agriculture expanded in the early 19th century many communities formed agricultural associations for the purpose of sharing information on farming practices and resources. These groups began to organize county fairs such as the
Yamhill County Fair (1850). Shortly thereafter the
Oregon Farmer newspaper began calling for a statewide fair. A group of farmers known as the Oregon Fruitgrowers Association organized the first unofficial state fair in 1858. That year is recognized as the official anniversary year of the fair. In 1860, the association merged with other county groups and became the Oregon State Agricultural Society, who held the first official fair in 1861 in the
Gladstone/
Oregon City area. It was felt a larger area was needed and following a proposal by the Marion County Agriculture Society, the second official state fair was held in Salem in 1862 on the grounds of the
Marion County Fair, where it has remained ever since. Homesteader John Savage donated of his land, which was three miles (5 km) outside of Salem at the time, while pioneer
John Minto contributed $1,200 to build a wooden fence around the grounds. The fairgrounds were annexed into Salem in 1921.
1967 Fire In 1967, an arson occurred just before the opening of the fair, burning several large structures. Along with the fair commissioners, Governor
Tom McCall felt the fair should go on, so many groups donated time and money for the cleanup and sent facilities like tents from as far away as the
Portland Rose Festival so the fair could open. The poultry building is known for the "chicken head"
relief sculptures that decorate the exterior. The horse stadium is the oldest state building in Oregon in continuous use.
Heritage oak grove In 2007, a 200-year-old grove of
Oregon White Oaks across the street from the main fairgrounds was designated by the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee as an
Oregon Heritage Tree site. The grove was used as a camping and gathering place by the area's original inhabitants, the
Kalapuya, who collected
acorns and
camas there. The site later became a camping place for fairgoers who originally arrived in wagons and created a tent city during the fair; the practice of camping in the grove continued into modern times.
Reorganization Following a period of financial trouble, the
Oregon Legislative Assembly directed the
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to take over management of the fair in 2006. As of 2008, the fair's slogan was: "It's like a magical enchanted land. Except real." ==Events==