These clippings from various newspapers relate to the Western National Fair that was held at Bismarck Grove in Douglas County in September 1880. Apparently, this was the first attempt to hold a state fair in Kansas, though there was also a Missouri Valley Fair in Kansas City. At this point in time, Bismarck Grove was owned by the Kansas Pacific Railway Company but they were letting the fair association use it rent free. One clipping includes the charter of the Western National Fair Association and others the minutes of meetings of the Association. Several counties (Anderson, Linn) formed associations to organize their efforts to participate in the fair at Bismarck Grove.