CLEARFIELD – For almost 100 years, people have gathered at the current grandstand in the Clearfield County Fairgrounds to be entertained.
It opened at the fair in September 1924, which was billed as “the greatest fair ever attempted” in newspaper ads.
In April of that year, it was reported that a representative of the Osborne Engineering Company of Cleveland, Ohio, met with two of the Clearfield Park Association’s directors, A. E. Leitzinger and Charles T. Kurtz, to begin planning for a permanent “steel and concrete grandstand.”
Originally it was to have a capacity of 3,000, with the option to add seating as needed.
It was designed to have space underneath for concession stands and vendors, which is still used today.
To pay for the construction of this “complete and up-to-date” facility, bonds were sold.
The campaign selling the bonds had an interesting approach.
An ad for the bonds in June 1924 had a headline saying “You have criticized the old Park Grand Stand now; we emphasize the fact that YOU can make the new Grand Stand a reality”.
It goes on to say “you have criticized the old, ramshackle grandstand that now stands as an eyesore in the prettiest amusement park in Central Pennsylvania. You have said what ‘they’ should do. Now it’s squarely up to you! Shall there be a new Grandstand, or shall we take a chance on the old one falling down?”
This ad almost demands people do what is needed to raise the funds for the new building by buying “grandstand bonds.”
It continues: “the men who are devoting their time to the building up of the prettiest park in the section are busy men. They have not time to solicit bond sales. They will devote a great deal of time overseeing the construction of the new stand – if you make it possible to have one. It is not fair to have them have to do ALL the work for your pleasure.
“It is for you to say whether there is a new grandstand in the Park in time for the coming Clearfield County Fair. You must act promptly as the company must have most of the $62,000 worth of bonds subscribed for before they start construction. They must see that YOU are behind this new project with your money. They must see that your criticism is constructive. They must feel that you meant what you said when you declared ‘They ought to build a new grandstand – this is in awful shape.’”
Once the bonds were purchased, the investors would be compensated from the income of the grandstand events.
“A new grandstand will also provide an opportunity for many people to make a safe and sure investment, which will not only be a source of income to the investor but will be ample proof that you have the interests of the community, future Clearfield Fairs and other Clearfield Park attractions at heart,” according to an ad from June 2, 1924.
It was built by the same designers who built Yankee Stadium and they “know their business.”
In this ad, it also lists more information on the men involved with raising the money, listed as “here are the men who will invest your money.”
“Hobart Callahan, member of the firm of Callahan Bros. Bottling Works, Clearfield, Pa.: Chas. T. Kurtz, director Clearfield Trust Company and president of Kurtz Bros. Manufacturing Stationers, Clearfield, Pa; Ernest Orcutt, owner of Orcutt’s Garage, Clearfield, Pa.: A. E. Leitzinger, vice president, Clearfield National Bank and senior member of firm of Leitzinger Bros. Department Store, Clearfield, Pa.; and H. B. Powell, president of County National Bank, Clearfield, Pa.”
The bonds were available in denominations of $100, $500 and $1,000 that would bear six percent interest, which was payable semi-annually.
“These bonds will be a first mortgage on the grandstand plant and stand as a lien on all grandstand receipts. Bonds to be redeemable on call,” the ad explains.
They were asking people to invest quickly so that there would be time to complete construction, estimated to take 90 days, for the fair in September.
As of June 7, 1924, they had raised $30,400 for the project and continued to advertise the bonds for sale.
By September the construction was complete and the new grandstand was ready.
It reportedly cost $75,000, which would be over $1.3 million today.
In ads for this edition of the fair, it was declared “a fair for young and old” and reminded residents that “your neighbor’s coming.” It also stated “the greater Clearfield County Fair this year will far eclipse anything ever seen in the more than half century of Clearfield Fairs.”
Although the grandstand has been active for its entire existence, in 2019 it was declared “unsafe”. Necessary repairs included constructing four building collars, some chipping and sandblasting as well as some epoxy painting, according to previous reports.