FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 101 



IMPROVEMENTS MADE ON THE STATE FAIR GROUNDS IN 1904. 



Many needed improvements and changes were made upon the fair 

 grounds the past season, the most conspicuous being the erection of the agri- 

 cultural, horticultural and dairy exhibit building, for which an appropri- 

 ation of $47,000 was made by the Thirtieth General Assembly. The size of 

 this building is 100 by 300 feet, with an added width of 33 feet between the 

 two dome entrances on the front side. It has a floor space of approxi- 

 mately 32,000 square feet, being about one-fourth greater than the combined 

 floor space of the three buildings formerly occupied by these depart- 

 ments. The cost of this building, together with the changes and other 

 work necessary to prepare the site, has been $48,248.71. But very little 

 work of a permanent nature was done on the interior of the building. Our 

 plans and specifications did not call for any arrangement for the interior, 

 for the reason it was deemed advisable to first use the building, when a 

 better idea could be formed as to what was needed. However, the plans did 

 call for a cement floor, which was not put in for two reasons; first of which 

 was that the ground being filled it was thought best to let it settle suf- 

 ficiently before putting down the floor, and second being the lack of time 

 and funds available before the beginning of the fair. If the exhibits in 

 these departments continue to increase in the future, as the display this 

 year would indicate, it will not be long before provision will have to be made 

 for a separate dairy building, leaving this building for the agricultural and 

 horticultural displays. 



By removing the horticultural department to the new building we were 

 able to carry out our original plans for providing a woman's building upon 

 the grounds. It has been the earnest desire of the board for some time that 

 provision be made whereby a suitable building could be arranged as a rest- 

 ing place for the women and children attending the fair. This building is 

 delightfully situated upon the side of the hill, overlooking the entire west 

 part of the grounds. It is far enough removed from the main part of the 

 grounds to be entirely free from dust and noise, and at the same time 

 within easy walking distance. The funds available for this purpose would 

 not permit of any extensive remodeling of the building this year, but enough 

 was accomplished to make it an ideal resting place. A veranda was built 

 along the entire west front, being 106 feet long by 16 feet wide. A floor 

 was put down in the building, and a couple of rooms finished; one for the 

 matron in charge, the other for an emergency hospital room. This hospital 

 room was furnished with the regulation hospital cots and bedding. The 

 report of Dr. Granville N. Ryan, whose assistant was in attendance at the 

 building during the days of the fair, show thirty cases cared for in the hos- 

 pital; two maior cases temporarily cared for; ten accident cases, and seven- 

 teen calls made on different parts of the grounds; making a total of fifty- 

 seven cases cared for during the week. Doctor Ryan furthersays in his report, 

 that on two or three different occasions there were not cots enough, and a 

 number of very sick women could not receive the proper attention on this 

 account. He recommends for another year, that two wards be provided 

 with at least eighty cots. By the Doctor's report it can readily be seen 

 the h'spital feature in connection with the building was highly appreciated. 

 It should be understood that this building is not to be a meeting place for 



