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Keokuk County Fair

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Location What Cheer
Dates July 08, 2016 - July 10, 2016
Description:

From Keokuk County Fair Website:

Keokuk County Fair
July 8-10, 2016

Keokuk County Fairgrounds
13061 170th St, What Cheer, IA

What Cheer, Iowa officially became a town in 1865. By the late 1880s, What Cheer had become a boom town due to the extensive deposits of coal in the area. Two railroads serviced the town carrying both freight and passengers. There were 13 mines in operation as well as more than 50 manufacturing and processing plants. Among the many products made were mining tools, wood stoves, buttons, overalls, shoes, and soft drinks.

Immigrants from several European countries came to work in the mines. The population in 1889 was estimated at 5,000 in What Cheer proper. Eight mining camps just outside of What Cheer added to the areas population.

In June 1889, a group of civic minded residents met to discuss the idea of having a fair in What Cheer. The group proceeded to sell shares to raise money and elected officers from the shareholders. In the next 3 months, land at the north edge of What Cheer was purchased from Samuel McFarlan, a race track was graded, a floral hall, judges stand, an amphitheater, and barns were erected.
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