'Hey, this is an agricultural fair.' Group wants new look for Dover fairgrounds entrance

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
Updated ·2 min read
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DOVER ‒ Three area residents are working to revitalize the Tuscarawas Avenue entrance to the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover, to give it a look that says "agriculture."

The three ‒ Rod Endsley, Stacy Gordon and Dave McCleary ‒ are raising funds to build a new entrance building to replace the current one, constructed in 1914.

"At first, we were looking at just repairing, rebuilding what's there, but we were told it's structurally unsound. We have to redo it," McCleary said.

The plan is to demolish the old building and replace it with a structure that looks like a farm building. A plaque on the current building, listing the 1914 board of directors of the fair, would be preserved and installed on the new structure.

The gates to the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds on South Tuscarawas Ave in Dover.
The gates to the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds on South Tuscarawas Ave in Dover.

"The main thing is to get the entrance to the fairgrounds to step up the look of agriculture," Endsley said. "The fair was born on agriculture, and we want it change it over, update it and make it more appealing, like a farm building you were walking through."

The goal is to say, 'Hey, this is an agricultural fair,'" Endsley said.

Fundraising efforts

The structure is estimated to cost from $75,000 to $100,000. The group has begun fundraising for the project, setting up a 501 (c) (3) account at First Federal Community Bank to accept donations. Several donations have already been received.

Fundraising efforts began during the Tuscarawas County Fair in September.

Dover architect Bruce Widder has been hired to come up with a design.

Members of a committee tasked with revitalization of the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds Tuscarawas Avenue entrance gate talk about proposed plans. Pictured, from left, are Stacy Gordon, Rod Endsley, and Dave McCleary.
Members of a committee tasked with revitalization of the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds Tuscarawas Avenue entrance gate talk about proposed plans. Pictured, from left, are Stacy Gordon, Rod Endsley, and Dave McCleary.

Other plans include installing a black fence along Tuscarawas Avenue, similar to the one on the Union Avenue side of the fairgrounds.

The group also plans to incorporate the historic marker in front of the current building in the new design. The marker tells the history of Civil War Camp Meigs. The camp was established in 1861 at the fairgrounds, and two infantry regiments, the 51st Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the 80th Volunteer Infantry, were mustered into the Union Army there.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Group wants new look for entry to Dover fairgrounds