Beginning in 1868, when Helena Valley organizers held an exposition at the site, the fairgrounds area has hosted a wide variety of events. It was the site of the Montana Territorial Fair beginning in 1870, and of the first Montana State Fair in 1903. Attendance declined throughout the 1920s, and the last State Fair was held there in 1927. By 1933 the facility was abandoned, and its buildings were allowed to decay.

In 1958, volunteers organized to repair the facility, and in 1961 the "Last Chance Stampede" was formed. In 1990, a fair was reinstituted, and the grounds were once again established as a center for community activities.

However, lack of maintenance funds continued to plague the problematic facility over the years. The original grandstand was condemned and torn down in 1999, and metal-framed stadium seating was put in place.

A variety of events are currently held at the fairgrounds, including the Last Chance Stampede and the Lewis and Clark County Fair.

VISiT THE FAIRGROUNDS WEBSITE

Helena's first racetrack, the "Fashion Course", was laid out in 1868, and was located where the Green Meadow Coutry Club is today; no trace of that track remains. It was part of a small resort on the banks of Ten Mile Creek operated by a Mrs. Coady (aka Cody). It was first named Two Mile House, being two miles from Helena, then later named Ten Mile House. It was on Coady's site that the first and second Montana Territorial Fairs were held in 1868 and 1869. Horseracing proved popular, and in 1870 a private consortium purchased the current fairgrounds site, and began building the track and other facilities.

A very short video clip of horses running at the Fairgrounds track in 1972. Taken from the 1973 Helena Chamber of Commerce promotional film "Helena - City of Gold".
COURTESY OF KITTY ANN QUIGLEY TAALER

Stereoview of Cromwell Dixon and his airplane at the Montana State Fairgounds, September 30, 1911. Dixon was a nineteen year old aviator from Columbus, Ohio. On September 30, he became the first pilot to fly across the Continental Divide. The young pilot took off from the fairgrounds at Helena and landed thirty-four minutes later in a field near Blossberg, some 17 miles to the west. Dixon wired the officals at the fairgrounds that he had landed safely, refueled his bamboo and fabric aircraft, and lifted off for his return flight to Helena.

CROMWELL DIXON

Strong tail winds aided his return; and after circling the fairgrounds twice, he landed safely. Governor Edwin Norris proclaimed Dixon "The World's Greatest Aviator" and presented him a check for $10,000. Dixon died just two days later when his plane crashed in Spokane, Washington.

1961 Last Chance Stampede Queen candidates at the Nite Owl, west of Helena. Fourth from the left is Kitty Ann Quigley, "Miss Frontier Town". Can you help identify any of these lovely young ladies?
THE WES AND CAROL SYNNESS COLLECTION