Auto Race was Popular, 1922

The Fairgrounds Racetrack in Frederick.

   

Fairgrounds Racetrack Was Popular Venue

In the early decades of Tillman County, a racetrack was located at the fairgrounds in southwest Frederick in the general area where Bomber Bowl is now located. In the era when automobiles were a modern invention, the public had a fascination even then with speed, performance, and potential danger.

The following article from 1922 captures both the excitement and danger involved with automobile races of the time.

 

From The Frederick Leader, Thursday, September 14, 1922

Woodhouse Wins 15-Mile Automobile Race

 

Willis in Dodge Gets First Money in 5-Mile Contest

 

Fred N. Woodhouse, driving a Ford, was the scintillating luminary in the main racing event at the fairground racetrack yesterday, the fifteen-mile motor car speed contest, winning over his opponent by a second: time, 20:10.

The purse for this event was $223, of which Woodhouse was awarded $--.71. (could not make out this amount from the clipping).

W.C. Brooks in a Chevrolet, the runner-up, pulled down $71.20.

L.L. Majors, piloting a Hudson, was awarded third money, $42.75.

The race, while without any startling features, was a brilliant affair and greatly delighted the grandstand spectators, the Chevrolet crowding the Henry every inch of the long drive of thirty half-mile laps.

There were seven entries in this race.

Woodhouse, five minutes before the start, appeared to be out of it, having snapped the steering gear of his car off short at the axle in the preceding five-mile race. No one was more surprised than the pilot when his mechanic effected a complete repair job in the time that the motorists were entertaining the enthused throng between the races and a cheer went up when the Ford was able to line up with the others in the main event.

Woodhouse is well known to the sporting fraternity here, as his home is in Lawton, and it will be remembered that he was the unfortunate feature in a thrilling accident that occurred during the automobile races at the Tillman county fair last year when a car driven by a Denver pilot crashed into the one Woodhouse was driving, at the last turn. Woodhouse was thrown fifteen feet up in the air, falling in such a manner that his chest struck the steering apparatus of his car. He was believed to be dead when hauled away in an ambulance. He was in a hospital for several weeks before his final recovery, and had the grit to again enter the racing game, which he has followed for about eight years.

H.J. Willis won the five-mile race yesterday, driving a Dodge car: time, 7:27. The total purse for this event was $95, Willis being awarded $37. Sam Jewell, piloting a Chevrolet, was second, pulling down $--.75 (?). Ovid Blackwood, driving a Dodge, won third money, $14.25. The race was without features. There were six entries.

Not all of the automobile excitement was on the racetrack. While fairgoers were watching the race or visiting fair exhibits, a thief took a car from the parking lot.

Immediately below the above-referenced article, the September 14, 1922, Frederick Leader featured the following notice:

Ford Car Stolen from Fairgrounds

A five-passenger Ford touring car belonging to Lee Patrick, east of Frederick, was stolen from its place at the fairgrounds, Wednesday.

Tillman County Fair, 1953

Column sent to Frederick Leader and Frederick Press

September 7, 2009

County Fair in 1953 was ‘Biggest,’ ‘Best’ Ever

The Tillman County Fair is always a special event, but in decades past it was a production that attracted and involved most citizens from throughout the county. The 1953 Tillman County Free Fair was advertised at that time as the biggest and best ever.

The county fair in those days was held at the Frederick Municipal Airport southeast of Frederick. Plans were underway that year to construct the Tillman County Fair Barn on South 8^th Street which would become home to the county fair in future years, but in 1953 and the years preceding it, the county fair was held on the grounds of the former Frederick Army Airfield.

The 1953 fair ran for four days – Tuesday, Sept. 8, through Friday, Sept. 11, and folks from Frederick and communities throughout the county were encouraged to attend every day! The fair was organized and hosted jointly by the Tillman County Free Fair Board and the Frederick Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During the run of the fair, the Frederick Chamber and Frederick merchants put up special decorations downtown and Frederick businesses ran special fair sales and promotions.

As a prelude to the county fair, during the preceding week community fairs were held at Grandfield and Tipton with parades and the start of competitive showing.

A September 1953 article in the Frederick Leader described the fair as follows: “The greatest Tillman County Free Fair in history will unfold Tuesday for a four-day run at the municipal airport grounds near Frederick, and by Friday night all attendance records for the annual exposition are sure to fall. The outstanding entertainment and recreation program for all time has been arranged to back up fine exhibits in all competitive departments of the Fair.”

Young people from throughout the county brought livestock and poultry for judging, and young and old alike entered their best crops, baked goods, canning, sewing projects, floriculture, and crafts. The event was a genuine Tillman County exposition.

All available commercial exhibit spaces for the fair were booked in advance.  Many county businesses and organizations had exhibits, drawings, and items for sale at the fair, and the event showcased the latest models of farm equipment, in addition to new Chevrolets, Fords, Chryslers, and all other kinds of automobiles.

Numerous politicians visited the county fair, but the key speaker at the fair on Wednesday afternoon was Sixth District U.S. Congressman Victor Wickersham. Wickersham, from Mangum, discussed national issues and legislation that related to rural Oklahoma.

Huge draws at the county fair were performances of four high school bands: the Frederick High School Bombers, the Tipton High School Tigers, the Grandfield High School Bearcats, and the Boyd High School Wildcats.

The Leader said of the bands, “Directors of the four fine bands have been serving a dual need since start of rehearsals this fall – preparing for opening of football season and special work on a series of concert numbers for the Fair appearance. Each of the four bands will give generous concerts at their scheduled appearances and their attraction will add to the already promised crowds preparing to throng the exposition area.”

A wide variety of contests and demonstrations were slated at the fair. They included boys hot rod races, girls doll dress contests, amateur talent contests, demonstrations by the Frederick Fire Department and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and a thrill show by the Motor Maniacs.

Each evening of the fair featured special entertainment. Tuesday night’s performers were Dixie Boy Jordan and the Stamps Ozark Quartet.

Wednesday evening’s entertainment was the George Niccols Magic Show.

Thursday evening there was a big square dance with Billy Mitchell and his band.

On Friday evening the fair concluded with a giant fireworks display.

Registration for prizes was a huge attraction. The 1953 prize list was billed as the biggest ever, with $225 worth of groceries to be given on the first three nights, with “thousands of dollars worth of premiums on tap for Friday night.”

Frederick’s Fire Department held a raffle for a 21-inch television set – a major prize in 1953.

The John S. Kerr Post of the American Legion gave away a pony.

The most exciting part of the fair for young people was a fair carnival. The Big State Carnival, a large, established traveling carnival, was contracted to operate during all four days of the fair on the airport’s concrete, “all-weather midway.” The carnival featured rides, games, cotton candy, bright lights, and lots of fun.

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Joe Wynn is a member of the Tillman County Historical Society’s board of directors. He can be contacted by e-mail at jawynn@cableone.net.