Original Block "Power House", c1927
The first few Jacktown Fairs were 'Day Time Only', then oil and gas lights were hung in trees as there was little activity at night.
In 1927, the Fairboard realized they needed to carry the Fair over into the nights and started investigating a lighting system. At this time there were only two homes in Wind Ridge that had installed a Delco System. This type of system was bought from a large estate in the Claysville area and work was immediately started on building a block power house. It consisted of a two-cylinder upright engine standing about nine feet high and heavy flywheels, and had a capacity load of 400 RPM. After three days of working day and night the lighting system would not work. It was then they called a local mechanic and asked for help. The natural gas supply to the engine had to be changed and the ignition voltage had to be modified. The plant was started using compressed air to turn the engine over and people came from miles away to see the lighted Fairgrounds.
In 1929, West Penn Power lit the grounds and the fair was a 3-day and night event.
2012 Jacktown Fair
Original Block "Power House", c1927
The first few Jacktown Fairs were 'Day Time Only', then oil and gas lights were hung in trees as there was little activity at night.
In 1927, the Fairboard realized they needed to carry the Fair over into the nights and started investigating a lighting system. At this time there were only two homes in Wind Ridge that had installed a Delco System. This type of system was bought from a large estate in the Claysville area and work was immediately started on building a block power house. It consisted of a two-cylinder upright engine standing about nine feet high and heavy flywheels, and had a capacity load of 400 RPM. After three days of working day and night the lighting system would not work. It was then they called a local mechanic and asked for help. The natural gas supply to the engine had to be changed and the ignition voltage had to be modified. The plant was started using compressed air to turn the engine over and people came from miles away to see the lighted Fairgrounds.
In 1929, West Penn Power lit the grounds and the fair was a 3-day and night event.
2012 Jacktown Fair