The fair was incorporated in 1848, with area farmers exhibited livestock, fruits, vegetables and other items of interest.
[1] Attendance grew rapidly after Thoroughbred racing with parimutuel betting was added in September 1940.
It was rebuilt and improved and parimutuel betting on the horses resumed in 1997 but lasted only two years before the track closed permanently after the 1998 racing season.
A New York City firm bought the site for $2.7 million in 2006 with the intention of building mixed-use facilities there, including a 100-room hotel.
[2] In 2012, the property was sold to Fairgrounds Realty LLC for $800,000 with plans for a recreation and sustainable agriculture project.