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602 MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



BAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



secretary's report. 



For some time it has been desired by the directors and members of the 

 Bay County Agricultural Society that the location of the fair grounds be 

 changed, as they were inaccessible on account of being a long distance ^from 

 steam and horse cars, besides being guarded on either side by toll gates, 

 which made it objectionable to all concerned. At a meeting of the agricult- 

 ural society February 15, 1888, it was unanimously decided to change the 

 location. 



The said grounds were held in trust in Bay county for the use and benefit 

 of the society. A committee was appointed by the society to confer with a 

 committee of the board of supervisors of Bay county -for the purpose of 

 changing the location. The committee of the agricultural society had 

 options on the following pieces of property for new grounds, viz. : One 

 from T. B. Donnelly of a piece of land owned by W. D. Fitzhugh, situated 

 east of the Michigan Central railroad and north of Center avenue, at $150 

 per acre. One from T. H. McG-raw at South Bay City, at same price. Also 

 one from Mrs. Turbush of West Bay City, at $200 per acre. At a confer- 

 ence of the committees the the following report to the board of supervisors 

 was agreed upon : 



"After looking over all of the propositions for locations, we would 

 recommend that the proposition of T. B. Donnelly be accepted, and that 

 the agricultural society secure at least forty (40) acres. We would further 

 recommend that the agricultural society be authorized to sell the present 

 grounds owned by the county at the best price possible as soon as practicable 

 and apply the proceeds on payment of the new grounds." 



The above report was accepted by the Board of Supervisors January 12, 

 1889. The agricultural society in February last purchased the location 

 recommended by the Board of Supervisors, containing forty-five acres of 

 ground, upon which $2,000 has been paid. Clearing, draining and other 

 improvements to the amount of $2,155.27 have been made. The present 

 grounds on Center avenue are admirably located, as the Michigan Central 

 railroad will have a station adjoining them. The Bay City belt line will 

 soon be built with a station on the other side, and the Bay City street rail- 

 way line runs directly to the entrance, which will enable people from all 

 parts of the city, South and West Bay City, to reach the grounds easily. 

 The new half-mile track has been commenced, and when completed will be 

 one of the best in the State. The committee has under consideration plans 

 for new buildings which will be entirely unlike any other in the West, and 

 will excel any in this section of the State for convenience and general 

 adaptability. The grounds, with all of the appurtenances, will be ready for 

 occupation in time for the next annual fair in 1890. 



W. F. BRACE, 



Secretary. 



