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Title: Fairplex Records
Creator:
Los Angeles County Fair Association
Identifier/Call Number: 0071
Contributing Institution:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and Archives
Language of Material:
English
.
Physical Description:
275.64 Linear Feet
(444 boxes, 2 flat file drawers)
Date (inclusive): 1871 - 2022
Abstract: The Fairplex Records document the history and development of the Los Angeles County Fair from its founding in 1922 to the
present day. Along with documenting the fair's rich history the records also document the development and expansion of the
fairgrounds itself, which was renamed Fairplex in 1984. Fairplex hosts other major entities and events throughout the year
including the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, RailGiants Railroad
Museum, and the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The collection includes administrative records, photographs, negatives and slides,
audio and video recordings, newspaper clippings, fair realia, and other material pertaining to the Los Angeles County Fair
and Fairplex attractions.
Advance notice required for access.
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository
and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], Fairplex Records, Collection no. 0071, Pomona Valley Historical Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in the collection were donated to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona by the Board of Directors
at the Los Angeles County Fair Association Fairgrounds in June 2021.
In September 1921, Pomona City Councilman Clinton Bertram "Jack" Afflerbaugh and railroad carnival promoter Harry LeBreque
organized a merchant's exposition along the Southern Pacific Railway in downtown Pomona. The event's success motivated Afflerbaugh
and other Pomona businessmen to pursue the development and hosting of the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona. To achieve this,
the Los Angeles County Fair Association was incorporated in April 1922 with the aim of raising support for the construction
and organization of the first Los Angeles County Fair. L.E. Sheets was appointed as the fair's first president, with Afflerbaugh
serving as vice president, Fred Reynolds as treasurer, and Fred E. Whyte and W.A. Kennedy as directors. Afflerbaugh played
a key role in persuading the City of Pomona to acquire a 43-acre beet and barley field from the Ricardo Vejar estate to serve
as the fairground.
The inaugural Los Angeles County Fair took place from October 17 to October 21, 1922, spanning five days. It featured a half-mile
long horse racing track, a grandstand accommodating 4,000 spectators, two cattle barns, 100 horse stalls, an administration
building, as well as other temporary structures and tents. Approximately 50,000 people attended the fair in its first year.
Highlights of the event included harness racing, chariot racing, aviation stunts such as barnstorming and wing-walking, agricultural
displays, and regional California vendor exhibitions.
Following the success of the initial fair, a $75,000 bond was approved for the construction of permanent buildings and a larger
grandstand for horse racing. An additional 62 acres of land were purchased and deeded to the county for future expansion.
In 1924, Afflerbaugh assumed the role of the fair's first paid manager, a position he held until his passing in 1960.
In 1925, the Domestic Arts building was opened, coinciding with the fair's attendance surpassing the 100,000 mark. This year
also marked a change in the fair's scheduling, moving it from October to September. By 1932, the grandstand had been rebuilt,
increasing its capacity to over 10,000. In 1933, "pari-mutuel" wagering on horse racing was legalized in California, making
the Los Angeles County Fair the first location in Southern California to offer this form of betting. Attendance soared to
334,759 that year. During the mid-1930s, the Federal Works Progress Administration played a role in constructing new buildings
at the fairgrounds, including the Fine Arts building, a new Administration building, and several permanent exhibition halls.
The fair continued to operate annually through September until the United States entered World War II in 1941. In 1942, the
Pomona Detention Center, established by the Wartime Civilian Control Administration, was located at the Los Angeles County
Fairgrounds. Over 5,000 Japanese Americans were housed there before being sent to internment camps. From late 1942 until the
war's end, the United States Army renamed the fairground the Pomona Ordinance Depot, using it for military vehicle maintenance.
Additionally, the fairgrounds temporarily served as a German and Italian prisoner-of-war camp.
After six years, the Los Angeles County Fair reopened in 1948 with the debut of the fair's new mascot, "Porky the Hitchhiking
Pig." It was also the first-time attendance topped the one million mark. The mascot was later renamed "Thummer" in the early
1950s due to a naming rights controversy. The subsequent decades, from the 1950s through the 1960s, witnessed the construction
of various attractions, fairground structures, and exhibit halls that became perennial favorites among fairgoers. These included
notable additions such as the Clock Tower (1952), the Mexican Village (1952), the Flower and Garden Building (1952), the RailGiants
Train exhibit (1954), the Monorail (1962), Storybook Farms (1962), the Ski Jump (1963), and the Golden Empire Mine (1965).
Each of these attractions consistently drew over a million attendees annually.
Moreover, starting in 1952, hot rod enthusiasts began utilizing the parking lots at the fairgrounds for drag racing purposes.
In order to establish a designated drag racing track, a lease was acquired for a specific area within the fairgrounds. This
development marked the inception of organized drag racing activities at the site. In 1953, the National Hot Rod Association
(NHRA) organized the first-ever Southern California Championships, which further cemented the fairgrounds' status as a prominent
center for exhilarating motorsport competitions. The significance of the fairgrounds in this capacity continued to grow, and
by 1961, the NHRA introduced the inaugural Winternationals event, a nationally recognized drag racing competition that served
as the starting point for the NHRA drag racing season. Over the years, the dragstrip has undergone various sponsorships, with
Chief Auto Parts, CSK Automotive, O-Reilly Auto Parts, and the Auto Club being among the notable sponsors. After the conclusion
of the 2022 season, the track underwent a change in sponsorship, and it is currently known as the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
In a transformative move in 1984, the fairgrounds underwent an official renaming to Fairplex, reflecting a broader vision
to host a diverse array of events throughout the year. Over the ensuing decades, Fairplex expanded its offerings by introducing
several additional attractions. These included the Sheraton Suites Fairplex Hotel (1992), the Autoclub Speedway at Pomona,
the Wally Parks NHRA Museum (1998), a KOA RV Park, and the Child Care and Education Center. Notably, in 1994, the Fine Arts
building was rechristened the Millard Sheets Gallery in honor of the acclaimed artist who had previously curated and directed
art exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Fair in the 1950s. Fairplex Park, the fairground's horse racing track, underwent
a transformation, expanding to a five-eighth of a mile track in 1985. Furthermore, the Barretts Equine Sales Complex opened
its doors in 1990, facilitating the sale of thoroughbred horses.
In 1999, Fairplex established three notable non-profit organizations: the Fairplex Development Center, the Millard Sheets
Gallery, and the Fairplex Education Center, further solidifying its commitment to community engagement and education.
During the 2000s, Fairplex experienced remarkable growth and underwent significant modernization efforts. In 2001, the fair's
agricultural annex was rebranded as "Fairview Farms," reflecting a renewed focus on agricultural excellence. Additionally,
in 2004, Cornucopia Foods, LLC was established to oversee year-round food and beverage operations, ensuring a delightful culinary
experience for visitors.
Recognizing the importance of fine spirits and wines, Fairplex began hosting the prestigious Los Angeles International Wine
and Spirits Competition in 2007, attracting connoisseurs from around the world. In 2008, a state-of-the-art Trade and Conference
Center was constructed, providing a sophisticated venue for various business and professional gatherings.
In 2012, the Los Angeles County Fair underwent a significant transformation, expanding its duration to a 24-day event. This
extension allowed for a more immersive and comprehensive experience for attendees, offering an array of entertainment and
attractions.
In 2014, Fairplex made the decision to discontinue horse racing operations after the season, leading to the relocation of
all horse racing events to the nearby Santa Anita Racetrack.
Regrettably, the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic forced Fairplex to temporarily close its doors in 2020, as safety precautions
and restrictions were put in place. However, in a momentous celebration of the fair's 100-year anniversary titled "Back to
Our Roots," Fairplex triumphantly reopened in 2022, rekindling the excitement and spirit of the Los Angeles County Fair.
In line with this anniversary and a desire for optimal weather conditions, the Los Angeles County Fair Association made the
strategic decision to move the fair's dates from the traditional warmer months of September and October to May, taking advantage
of the cooler springtime temperatures and creating a more pleasant environment for fairgoers to enjoy. This adjustment further
enhanced the overall experience and comfort of attendees.
The collection includes administrative files such as financial records, annual reports, employee files, property records,
blueprints, renderings and design files as well as premium books, souvenir programs, photographs, negatives and slides, events
files, press kits, newspaper clippings and scrapbooks, audio and video recordings, and promotional materials and realia.
These materials document the formation and development of the Los Angeles County Fair from its founding in 1922 to present
day. Along with documenting the Los Angeles County Fairs rich history the records also document the development and expansion
of the fairgrounds itself which was renamed Fairplex in 1984.
The collection is organized into the following series: Series 1. Administrative Records; Series 2. Fairground Entertainment
and Events; Series 3. Printed Materials; Series 4. Promotional Materials and Marketing; Series 5. Photographic Images; Series
6. Audiovisual Materials and Born-Digital Recordings; and Series 7. Realia and Memorabilia.
Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the Americas Collection, Collection no. 0032, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry
Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
This collection was processed by Andrew Kopp with additional assistance from Special Collections and Archives staff, including
Katie Richardson, David Castro, Rob Strauss, and Kimberley Erickson, along with student workers Aimee Perez, Iman Mirza, Radhika
Epps, and Stacy Marines from May 2022 to December 2023.