Fun at the Fair - Allegan County Fair

During our constant search to find Michigan’s one-room schoolhouses, we find ourselves traveling off-the-beaten path, driving country roads, and through small towns.

Today, we are headed to the Allegan County Fair.  The fairgrounds are on private property and accessible to the public only on certain dates.  The County Fair Week in September is one of those times.  There is a one-room school in the historical village located on the fairgrounds.  So, we are off to the fair!

We arrive at the fairgrounds located at 150 Douglas Street in the town of Allegan, Michigan (USA).  We stop at the entrance gate.  Today is Discount Day so we got a break in price - $2 to park and $7 per person to enter the Fairgrounds.  Once inside, we park the car and begin walking to the John Pahl Historical Village. 

We begin our self-guided tour.  There are about a dozen buildings within the Historical Village.  While the schoolhouse is not the first building we see, it is the first building we visit.  The Historical Village was founded in 1972 and the Jewett School was the first building in the Village.  The Jewett (aka Brownell) School represents education in the early 1900’s. 

 Jewett School - Exterior & Interior

When we go inside the school, we discover students from an Allegan school are having morning classes here.  I don’t want to disturb their lessons, so I quietly take a picture of the vacant row of desks and leave.

If you would like to see more one room schoolhouses, please visit my Blog on Michigan One Room Schools by clicking on the following link:

Denice's Michigan One Room Schools Blog

I also have an interest in historic churches.  Next to the schoolhouse is the “Little Log Church” that was relocated here from Carlshend in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Log Church next to Schoolhouse

Interior of Log Church

The old time Doctor’s Office was Dr. Rigterink’s place of business.  I thought I heard the building was originally located in the nearby town of Hamilton.  Inside the office is a display case filled with antique medical tools.  They look more like tools of torture to me.

Doctor's Office - Exterior & Interior

The Log Cabin represents a typical dwelling in the mid-1800’s.  It was moved to the Village in 1986.

Log Cabin - Exterior & Interior

The Born House was built in 1840.  It was originally located on Cook Street and was moved to the Fairgrounds in 1984.  One of the volunteers is dressed in her Victorian finest – including a hat and white gloves.  We walk through the house.  Tucked in the corner of the living room is a piano … or so I thought.  I was fooled until I read the sign indicating this was an organ built to look like a piano. 

Bone House - Exterior & Interior

Organ - not a Piano

Every community needed a Blacksmith Shop.  The “Village Smithie” made and repaired items for the local residents. 

In front of the Fire Barn is an antique fire truck.  Inside this building, we see antique apparatus used to fight fires (clothes and tools).

Fire Barn - Exterior & Interior

1929 Fire Truck

The yellow Caboose and Train Depot building are small but interesting to see.

Train Depot Building

Caboose - Exterior & Interior

For a little nostalgic trip, stop by the Cook Oil Gasoline Station. During our visit, it had an antique Model-T car parked in front of it.  The scene was made complete by the presence of a uniformed gas station attendant.  Inside the gas station building I can hear an old radio show being “aired” over an antique radio.

Old Gas Station

There is an 1849 Carriage House and a barn museum with old carriages and a large variety of antiques from household items to farming equipment on display.

Carriage House & Horse-Drawn Mail Wagon

The Allegan Township Hall is the last building we see.  Inside is a “mock” Post Office and historical information.

Allegan Township Hall

If you are interested in seeing the village but didn’t get a chance to come to the County Fair, there is another option.  Private tours of the Historical Village can be arranged by calling (269) 673-8292.

There is more to see and do at the Allegan County Fair.  The Grand Stand hosts celebrity performers like Carrie Underwood (2015), Kid Rock (2014), Tim McGraw (2013), Kiss and Motley Crue (2012) to name a few..  There are horse races, carnival rides, commercial vendors, lots of food options ... and, of course, the animals.  

There are public restrooms, covered eating areas, and a tram to/from certain parking areas.. The Board of Directors is constantly working and planning to make the Allegan County Fair Michigan's best fair.