When the Fair Was Held In Turbotville

The Turbotville Fair, 1958 

The Turbotville Community Fair ran annually from 1935 to 1969,  but prior to the community fair, The Northumberland County Fair was regularly held at Turbotville, as early as 1868.

1869

On October 7th 1869, Francis Irwin shot Robert Montgomery at the Turbotville fair.

"David Childs and Francis M. Irwin, two roughs from Montour County, created a great disturbance at the Turbotville Fair.  In an attempt to arrest them, Irwin shot Robert Montgomery."

The fair is regularly referred to as the annual fair, with the number of years listed pointing to the fair originating in 1937.  However, the 1939 Fair Booklet lists the fair as the 5th Annual, making the first year of the fair 1935, not 1937.

The judges stand for the Turbotville Fair

Turbotville hosted a community agricultural fair  on the grounds beside the community center from 1935 through the 1960s.    Prior to the 1930s, the fair in Turbotville was held north of  Turbotville on the road to Comly.

1930's, Fuller's Purina Display at the Turbotville Fair

In the 1930's, Ralph Fuller displayed his hardware and Purina products at the fair.

The first Turbotville Community Fair was held in October of 1935, in connection with the annual school fair held by the vocational school. 

1951

1952

1953

1953

In 1955 Becky Yoder was in charge of the 9th grade concession stand, and Neil Hons is shown attempting to ring a goose for a prize.

1957

1958

1959

1964

In 1964 the Daily Item called the fair the "27th Annual".   In 1951, It was referred to as the 14th annual fair.  A booklet from the 1939 fair however, states that it was the 5th Annual, making 1935 the first fair, not 1937.  

 The 1964 fair featured a pony pulling contest and an annual chicken bbq.  The Oak Valley Rangers were scheduled to present three shows.There were several rides for the kids, food stands, and concessions.

1964

1965

1965

Twins Salie & Maggie Lerch at the Turbotville Fair

Barbara Durlin, 6th grader, at the Turbotville Fair in 1968

The last fair was held in 1969.  In May of 1970, the fair was cancelled due to lack of interest.

1970

================

Find More Stories & History Of Turbotville Here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/turbotville-pennsylvania.html

And More Stories, Photos, & History From Other Local Towns Here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

============

READ MORE

=============

"The first piece of land he [John Watson]  ever bought was that now occupied as the fair grounds at Turbotville, but he never moved to it. " The History of Columbia & Montour Counties.

Name: Franklin Irwin

Age in 1870: 15

Birth Year: abt 1855

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Dwelling Number: 212

Home in 1870: Lewis, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Race: White

Gender: Male

Post Office: Watsontown

Occupation: Farm Laborer

Attended School: Y

Household Members:

Name Age

Anthony E Gauger 36

Mary E Gauger 34

Ella D Gauger 10

Curtis C Gauger 8

William A Gauger 7

Franklin Irwin 15

==============

Not fair related - come back to later - 

The Best, Worst, and Most Unusual, by Bruce Felton and Mark Fowler

1964