Property Record
LINCOLN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Original Brickyard School |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Original Brickyard School |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 42905 |
| Location (Address): | LINCOLN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS |
|---|---|
| County: | Lincoln |
| City: | Merrill |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | elementary, middle, jr.high, or high |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | On October 10, 1885, the Lincoln County Land Commission bought the land from the A.M.D.A. for $4500 for the purposes of recreation and holding fairs. In 1887 the Lincoln County Agricultural Society formed, and the A.M.D.A. disbanded. In 1888 the first Lincoln County Agricultural Fair took place, with emphasis on agriculture, livestock, and homemaking. Entertainment at the grandstand was provided by local entertainers, but also featured horse and pony, bicycle, dog-sulky, and novelty races. Buildings erected in the 1880s included the original grandstand (not extant), in the northwest part of the grounds; horse barns (not extant), north of the grandstand near Sixth Street; and an exhibition building, knwon as the Schult Building (LI34/13) today. The exhibition building, located near the Third Street entrance, contained the business office, booths for crops and vegetables, and an interior balcony around the upstairs. The fair resumed in 1920 under the direction of a new Lincoln County Fair Board. In 1933 the fair implemented a 4-H emphasis but retained many traditional aspects as well. New buildings have been added over the years. By 1928 the fair committee replaced the grandstand (LI34/15) and built a stock pavilion (LI34.16) which is a round frame structure with six frame wings projecting from the center. Restrooms were constructed in 1952, and a rural schoolhouse was moved to the fairgrounds in 1960. Other additions included three exhibit buildings: Steckling Building (1962), Lokemoen Building (1970), and Sell Building (1978). The buildings received their present names, honoring former fair board members, in 1983. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Lincoln County Fair Centennial, 1988. (B) Merrill Centennial 1883-1983. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |