The Famous Fairs of Bourbon

by Thais Carrillo | Apr 1, 2026 | Bourbon, Events, Pastimes

Feature Image. Undated birds-eye-view of fair.

The Town of Bourbon 1872 fair was the first one established in the county. It took place in a schoolhouse 1½ miles east of Bourbon. The fair was discontinued for a few years and started again in 1891, as an 1892 ticket listed it as the Second Annual Fair. Some days the crowds were as large as 10,000 to 14,000 visitors. They usually took place in late September or early October, and often school would be dismissed so students could attend.

The Purpose of the Bourbon Fair

Among the Bourbon fair’s goals was to improve livestock breeding, to promote the area’s agricultural, mechanical and industrial interests and to provide good clean entertainment. They erected several permanent buildings: a grandstand with a half mile track, an art hall, stables and fenced-in animal pens.

Race track looking north.

Each year a brochure was printed showing everything that was going to be happening at the fair. The catalog also provided plenty of opportunities for local businesses to advertise. As a sample of the fair offerings, the 1933 catalog listed various cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, turkeys, waterfowl, and pet stock (eagle with cage, pea fowl, guineas, pigeons, rabbits, cage of squirrels, largest cat, ferret, pair of silver foxes). Also to be shown in all categories imaginable were grains and seeds, vegetables and roots, apples, pears, peaches, plums, persimmons, chestnuts, quinces and grapes, cut flowers, shrubs and flowers. The table luxuries category included canned fruits and vegetables, jellies, breads, cakes, cookies, fudge and candy.

The art hall contained “ladies fancy work” of coverlets, quilts, spreads, pillows, knitted goods -including socks, mittens and clothing – and every kind of rug. Embroidery and needlework included dresser scarves and handkerchiefs, pillowcases and tablecloths. All sorts of collections were featured, including coins, stamps, curiosities of any kind, shells, marbles, etc. Fine arts covered clay molding, landscapes, drawings in oil, pen, pencil, crayon and charcoal, baskets and “miscellaneous article not otherwise entered.”

And we cannot forget the most exciting activity, the Speed Program – horse races in trot or pace, pulling contests and mule races. Any mule winning the race two years in a row was barred. Straw and stalls were free for all horses entering the race. Horse racing was the big attraction and took place throughout the years to the last fair.

Horses on racetrack.

Other activities through the years included a firemen’s tournament, a band contest, bicycle races, trick bicycle riders and ball games. There were large pumpkin contests. In 1927 a “calling cows” contest was planned. The champion caller was to be rewarded with a handsome old-fashioned cow bell. In 1941 they added an amateur night.

The Bremen Enquirer: October 23, 1891

“About sixteen or seventeen years ago Bourbon began to have fairs…. The excellence of these fairs gave them a great reputation, far and wide, and everybody who attended spoke in the most flattering terms of them. One of the strong features of these fairs was the splendid exhibit of stock of all kinds, and to them is due much of the advancement in stock breeding in and around Bourbon which for many years could boast of being far in advance of any other section of country in this part of the state….

“Last Friday found us at the Bourbon fair…. We were agreeably astonished at the very excellent buildings they have erected, and which were just finished during the fair. The sound of the saw and hammer was mingled with the cry of the fakir and the music of the merry-go-round and the hum of human voices.

“It will be impossible in the limits of this article to describe in detail the many attractive features of Bourbon’s fair. The exhibits in stock were fine and quite large…and the parade was something that would make the heart of the fellows who have been raising ‘scrub’ stock chock full of envy at the progressive farmers who believe in keeping up with the march of progress.

“The agricultural department was well filled with the choicest products of a rich soil and a propitious season and elicited words of praise from all who viewed it.

“The poultry department contained many fine specimens of thoroughbred fowls that would delight the eyes of any poultry fancier on earth.

“The implement department contained the regulation wares in the way of necessary and labor-saving machinery that is necessary for the systematic tickling of the productive soil.

“The floral and art hall contained a wonderful collection of fine fabrics wrought into articles of usefulness and beauty by the nimble fingers of the ladies. Stepping into this art hall is like stepping out of this old prosaic world into a fairy land, an elysian bower of beauty and whose radiance dazzles the eye and beauty charms the soul. So different from what we meet in our everyday life that one forgets that he is on this mundane sphere but thinks rather that he has been transported to a new world where all the beauty, loveliness and grandeur of nature and art has been gathered, combined and blended together in a manner to mystify our temporal senses and induce the belief that by some means we have caught a brief glimpse of Paradise.

“Without question the most remarkable thing about the entire grounds is the fine race track that the association has succeeded in building. It is constructed on the most approved plan and the very fact that it is only a few weeks old as yet and has had such splendid time made upon it shows conclusively that it is destined to be one of the best in the state. . ..”

The Bremen Enquirer: A Few Years Later

“Bourbon has a very fine race track and up to the Bremen fair this year the best time ever made on a track in Marshall County was made over the Bourbon track, 2:21 by Billy the Kid (presumably a horse, not the outlaw). This time was cut down to 2:19¼ at the Bremen fair last week and now the managers of the Bourbon fair say that the time will be again lowered over the Bourbon track next week, therefore you may look for some very fast going. Do not miss it. You may regret it if you do.”

Jim Bates Sr. on horse.

The Bremen Enquirer: October 12, 1894

“A correspondent from Bourbon to Wednesday’s Chicago Times says a prize of $200 is to be awarded at the Bourbon fair on Thursday to the man who drinks the most whiskey. It is a foregone conclusion that the $200 will remain in Bourbon.” (Perhaps the residents felt they should live up to the name of the town.)

The Argos Reflector: October 11, 1900

“The crowd on Wednesday was . . . larger than expected by the management. But on Thursday the vast throngs of people simply overwhelmed the officers in charge. The number of single tickets sold on this day was 6,400. This does not include children, holders of season tickets, exhibitors, caretakers of exhibits, race horses, nor stock holders. The treasurer of the association informed our reporter that he could not be far wrong in saying there were more than 10,000 people in the grounds on Thursday. On Friday the attendance was not so large but was larger than expected.

Hunting Tales

by Anita Boetsma | Nov 25, 2025 | Bourbon, Pastimes, Plymouth

With the annual hunting season in full swing, it’s time to look at hunting tales from long ago from the archives at the Marshall County Historical Society. Documents tell us: “The tradition of the last bear that was shot in Marshall County, comes from the lips of John Thomas, who is as familiar with the unwritten history hereabouts for the last 40 years as a draft horse is with the four corners of his feed box.” said John Thomas.

“In the winter of 1865,” says Thomas, “a number of bears wandered down from the woods of Wisconsin and terrified cattle and farmers throughout Northern Indiana. This particular bear was a huge black fellow and had been seen in various parts of the county before he met his doom. I had just come home from town when the women folks ran to meet me and said they had seen the much-dreaded animal run across a field. I rushed to the house but found the hired man had taken the gun before me and started in pursuit. Going to the neighbors, I borrowed another gun, mounted my horse and galloped away on the trail. When I came up to the Whaley place on the Wolf Creek Road, I found the two boys in a very excited mood. They had just shot the bear. They told me that their father had gone to town, and they had been left at home to feed the pigs. Suddenly one of the yelled, ‘See that pig on the fence!’ The other one looked. Sure enough there was a pig on the fence. But a pig on the fence was absurd. When they took a better look, they saw the supposed pig was a bear. A gun was brought from the house and inside of two minutes the big brute lay dead upon the ground. Many hunters arrived in time to help gloat over the victory. The hide was sold to Jepeth Disher, who paid $8 for it. It was afterward worked up into a fine robe.” Plymouth Democrat – July 31, 1902

“The latest diversion of Bourbon men of affairs is that of racoon hunting. The town, that is the sporting part, is now in the throes of a revival of the art of hunting the animals, that in the early days was a favorite pastime. Whether it is a case of heredity, just now cropping out of the fourth generation, we have no means of knowing, but there is one thing certain, the craze has hit the town hard. As far as we have been able to learn Jonas Rettinger is the only one who has, in the years past, kept up the sport enough to not forget its requirements. Later Samuel Lemlar, Phillip Steinman and Arch Myers formed a company (limited) and purchased a hound after they had sold the one Sam had owned to Rettinger. Lemler then purchased another hound and his deep sonorous voice had been sending cold chills up and down Mr. Racoon’s spine with painful regularity. When Harl Stewart got the fever, he purchased another dog, and the old days of gentlemen following the hounds is returning. Lemler, Myers & Steinman gave a racoon feast at the Vernette & Fretz restaurant Wednesday evening, and the smacking of lips told the tale, as their friends passed in and out. Harl Stewart and Otis Thacker went Friday night and so far, hold the palm of good catches. They secured three large, fat young racoons and a skunk. And the beauty of the whole thing is that the skunk wasn’t quick enough to use his defense.” Bourbon News-Mirror – November 28, 1907

Magnetic Park

by Anita Watts Kopetski | Sep 18, 2025 | General History, Parks, Pastimes, Plymouth

Plymouth’s Magnetic Park should be a top stop on a tour of Marshall County. Located along the Yellow River, Magnetic Park has a fascinating history.

Creating the Well

Magnetic Park gets its name from the flowing well of magnetic water. It is 11 inches in diameter and 38 feet deep, with a pipe that is 12 inches in diameter.

The well was driven in 1875 by Bailey & Capron, the owners of the Plymouth Water Mills. A horsepower tread was used to operate the drive hammer. The well was dug with the idea that an underground river would be found, into which the water from the mill race could be drained, giving more power to the water turbine. Instead, a gushing stream of water spouted eight feet high above the top of the well. Mr. Bailey commented, “Of all the wells I’ve driven this is the first one I wanted the water to run into and here the water is running out.”

A Magnetic Discovery

In 1876 Holland’s City Directory was talking about how clear and cold the water was. At first no one knew about the well’s magnetic properties, but it was shortly to be discovered. The directory stated that recent tests showed that the water was highly charged with magnetism and was possessed of medicinal and curative properties in an eminent degree. It stated, “It is without doubt the largest and finest flow of magnetic water in the world!”

Magnetic wells appear in area where the ground has a lot of iron. Soil can also be slightly magnetic. This is true of Marshall County. At one time, we had a place called Sligo where bog iron was processed. We will share an article about Sligo soon. To be fair, some believe that a magnetic water is not possible, but that the iron oxide that gathered around the mouth of the well dictated the name “magnetic” at that time.

Magnetic Well flowing into drain.

Healing Properties and Pastimes

The writer of the article in the directory said the volume of water discharged was enormous, 500 gallons per minute, or 30,000 gallons per hour, and 720 gallons a day. It said that people suffering with rheumatic and dyspeptic complaints greatly benefitted by drinking the water, even before they imagined it was anything more than pure spring water. It was thought that Plymouth could become the Bethesda of the west. The reference was to the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, where Jesus healed the paralyzed man. After the removal of the old dam, the flow of water was decreased considerably.

The alleged healing properties were not the only reason people came to the well. A popular pastime was to suspend a metallic object into the well and let it remain for several hours. Due to the unique properties of the water, the object would become magnetized. Knives, shears, scissors, hooks and small bars of steel became magnetized by being placed in the water. A compass was said to be under its control at a distance of two feet.

Community Renovations

An 1878 newspaper article said that a movement was underway to improve the grounds at the flowing well. The place was called “Magnetic Park” in quotations. They planned to build a bridge across the race and an arbor over the “magnetic flowing well” and to clear and beautify the grounds. Bailey & Capron agreed to allow the free use of the grounds for the benefit of the public.

In 1914 a postcard pictured a small wooden shelter around the well, with two ladies in front of it. Later it was rebuilt with stone and has two identical markers on opposite sides of the structure. The markers are metal, one foot x two feet. Both markers read: “This shelter house – made possible – by the donations of – Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Price – of – ‘Price’s Steak House’ – erected in 1937 – for the public.”

Two women at the “Old Flowing Well” ca. 1908.

Additional historical markers are located at the park, which is at 700 N. Water St. in Plymouth. Try to find them when you walk through this gem of a park along the Yellow River!

Curious Findings

A 1935 newspaper article discussed the articles found when the WPA cleaned out what was then called the “Old Flowing Well.” The workers reached the bottom of the well and the “relics” were recovered were put on display in the show window of the Eagle building, one door north of the Ball Store, which was at 116 N. Michigan Street.

There were more than 200 items. Among them was a bayonet from an old army musket, thought to be used on a gun during the War of 1812. There are War of 1812 soldiers buried in Marshall County, among them Benjamin Cruzan. Other articles included a gold locket, a silver spoon engraved E.M.E., an unbroken glass goblet and a boy’s pewter whistle which still blew loudly. Of course, there were the usual items like old whiskey bottles. A drive shaft of an automobile was recovered.

Entertainment in the Good Old Days

by Anita Boetsma | Aug 28, 2025 | General History, Pastimes, Visitor Stories & Oral Histories

Long before the entertainment overload of today, Marshall County youth had some interesting ways of creating their own fun. They did have theaters, but much of the time, they relied on simple things dictated by what was at hand, our location and the weather. The following collection is from oral histories in our archives.

Performing Arts

“The Orpheum Theater cost a nickel. It was on, oh, just a little way north of Washington Street on Michigan, where the old Orpheum was. They’d have Saturday afternoon matinees for a nickel. And there were shows, there were some outside shows, tent shows, down on, in the area where the fire station parking lot is now, on the corner of LaPorte and Center Street, just a block south of the library.” Stanley Brown

Large group of children posing for image on snowy day

The Orpheum Theatre in Plymouth, Indiana.

“About playing piano for the silent movies in Plymouth – When I played, I played for the big sum of $3.00 a week, and six nights a week, 7:00 to 10:00 on the weekdays. On Saturday nights it was seven ‘til 11:00, and it was nickel shows, you know, every night, and we had songs. They used to have sing-a-song, you know, and the words, and the little ball would bounce up. And I’d play for that, and that song came along with the film. We had a girl or boy, a singer, and that was all they done, was sing that song at every show.” Etta Steiner

“We had travelling stage shows quite often. They would come and book a week’s time at the opera house.” Beatrice Pickerl

Seasonal Fun

“We had sleigh ride parties and bobsled parties. And on the bobsled parties whenever you went under a streetlight, you got to kiss the girl that you were with. There were not very many streetlights in those days.” Morris Cressner

Sleighing party for city kids, 1916.

“You’d listen the first morning of cold weather, the first snowy, icy morning, see if you could hear Uncle J. T.’s sleigh bells. Uncle J. lived north of town (Argos), probably a mile and a half, might be two miles. And Uncle J. always had his sleigh out first, and he was the only person that the children of the town, that I knew best, could go riding with without running home and asking their parents. But if Uncle J. had his sleigh, we would go with him, and he’d take us a very nice fast ride down to the Nickel Plate Railroad.” Beatrice Pickerl

The Joy In the Everyday

“Used to be a train come in and my brother and different ones would walk over to Tyner to see it come in, and I believe every Friday or Saturday night from South Bend. That was a big thing. It was called the Cannonball. It would come in at 10:00. And the depot was right below our house here. That was their entertainment, was to come and watch the Cannonball.” Ray Jacobson

“They had the old [gas] street lights in Plymouth, and a man had to go around with a long pole and pull them down and light them by hand. He’d put a match to them and put them back up. Kids at night, after they got that light lit – one of our forms of fun was catching bats. There used to be a lot of bats around. They’d fly around those lights. We’d throw our caps up and every once in a while, we’d get a bat in them.” Stanley Brown

Black and white image of street corner with three story building and a few people walking by. In the forefront, there is a gas lamp hanging from a wire.

Bourbon street scene with gas street light.

Social Get-Togethers

“What progressed into hockey we called shinny. We used sticks and tin cans.” Homer Riddle

“We used to have spelling bees at the school house. And we’d spell, and the old people as well as the young would be in that, don’t you know. They’d all stand up and then when you missed a word, you sit down, and then the last one that stayed up got a prize.” Alta Listenberger

“We used to have box socials. The girls would take a box of food and then they’d auction it off and the boy that bought it, he wouldn’t know whose he’s buying, don’t you know, because they’d decorate these boxes up beautiful. And then the boy that bought them would eat with the girl. He wouldn’t know ‘til he got the box unless she’d tell him or, you know, the girl he liked would tell him which was her box. But otherwise they kept that a secret. Sometimes you’d eat with an old man. I’ve ate with old men, you know, some old farmer, instead of eating with the boy I wanted to eat with because he paid the most for the box.” Alta Listenberger

Learn more about everyday life in Marshall County by visiting our Museum!

Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?

by Anita Boetsma | Jul 11, 2025 | Pastimes

At the MCHS Museum, we have been delving into our storage areas and taking a compete inventory. Some of the interesting things we find spark the desire to know more about our items. What is the history and usage, and of course, any fun facts about our collections.

Buttons are an ever-present part of our lives. Most of us remember the fun of pouring over the selection in grandma’s button tin. There is something a little charming about old buttons.

The word button is from the French word “bouton,” meaning bud or knob. The oldest button found was in modern day Pakistan. Made of curved shell, it was most likely used for decorative, not utilitarian use. Francis 1st of France (1494-1547) had 13,600 gold buttons on a single coat, which he wore when meeting King Henry VIII of England.

The more utilitarian use for buttons started in 13th century Germany when the buttonhole was introduced. Button use grew to include fastenings for shoes, tunics, and coats. The fashion at the time was for clothes to be form fitting, so buttons made it easier to fasten the clothing snugly.

As time went by, the variety and value of the material used made buttons a symbol of wealth and prestige. Metalsmiths crafted elaborate buttons with insets of ivory, tortoiseshell, and jewels. In 16th century France, button makers’ guilds started to appear. These guilds regulated the production of buttons and passed laws regarding their use.

Traditionally, men’s garments wrap from the left to right with the button on the right side. This is because most men were right-handed and they dressed themselves, whereas servants dressed wealthy women. Placing the buttons on the left made it easier for the servant facing the buttons while completing the task. Most women were right-handed and held their babies in their left arm to nurse, and access was essential.

Pre-colonial buttons were often made of shell, horn or ivory. Other common buttons were fashioned of bone and wood. These readily available wood buttons were also used as foundations for fabric covered designs. Embroidery was often used to dress up fabric buttons. Examples of these types of buttons are harder to find because of deterioration.

In the 1800s, metal, pearl, and ivory largely replaced fabric as the button material of choice. Pewter was used to make molded or stamped-out buttons. Still popular today, cast brass buttons with ornamental designs were used on both military and civilian dress.

Glass has been used to make buttons since the 18th century in Britain. Black glass buttons were popular during the Victorian era. They were fashioned to imitate the expensive black jet buttons worn by Queen Victoria after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. Most glass buttons made during the 20th century were made by skilled button makers in today’s Czechoslovakia. Between 1918 and 1939 popular styles of glass buttons included pictorial and cut crystal styles.

By the mid-Victorian era, the pearl shell trade had reached its height in London with some 2,000 tons of shells being imported in 1859 from the East. By the 1890s there were over 200 factories and 4,000-5,000 people employed in Birmingham.

In the mid 1800’s, American manufacturer John F. Boepple discovered that the bend of the Mississippi River near Muscatine, Iowa, caused shells to accumulate, creating perfect conditions for mother of pearl making. He began to use the less iridescent freshwater shells found in the area to make his buttons. At production peak over one-third of the world’s pearl shell buttons came from the freshwater mollusk shells from this area.

The pearl shell industry declined during the 20th century partly due to the over-fishing of the pearl shell itself, and the end of the importation of pearl following both world wars. Also affecting the industry was the advent of cheap, mass-produced plastic substitutes.

Button-down collars were invented for an interesting reason. Going for a horseback ride with your shirt collar flapping at your face is annoying, as these collars were originally attached separately. Buttoning the collars in place was a perfect solution, especially for polo players. In 1896, Brooks Brothers offered these as the original polo shirt.

Stop in anytime and see the collections that tell the story of Marshall County.