The other towns that hosted the fair included Muscatine, Oskaloosa, Iowa City, Dubuque, Burlington, Clinton, Keokuk and Cedar Rapids.

In 1886 the Iowa Legislature and the city of Des Moines appropriated funds and the first buildings were built.

The streets within the fairgrounds followed the same basic pattern as they do today, although they were unpaved and without curbing or gutters in the early years.

The new buildings built in the early 20th-century were steel frame structures covered in red brick.

A park triangle had been established at the intersection of Grand and Rock Island Avenues by 1920.

Running water had been installed, bath and shower houses had been built at the campgrounds and restrooms were placed throughout the fairgrounds.

Since the end of World War II most of the buildings have been pole barn structures, although the exteriors, for the most part, are still covered in brick.

The livestock departments such as cattle, horses, sheep and poultry are on the south; historically there was a railcar unloading area south of the barns, but this has since been decommissioned and cut back to serve a nearby animal feed company.

The plant departments, which includes cash crops, fruits and floral are located in the center.

It was fully renovated in 2001, and named the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building.

A Heritage Village section depicts Iowa life around the time of the Fair's establishment in 1854, including church hymn sings, a country school, general store, barber shop, telephone company and train depot.