Santa Clara County Fairgrounds (San Jose, California)

USA / California / San Jose / San Jose, California / Tully Road, 344
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344 Tully Road
San Jose, CA 95111-1992
(408) 494-3247
www.thefair.org/

The Fairgrounds encompasses 158 acres with seven major buildings, an Arena with 35,000 sq. feet of space, five event stages, and a satellite wagering facility. Fairs have been held in the Santa Clara Valley since 1856. The Fairgrounds location became permanent in 1939 when the 95 acre Macomber Ranch was purchased for $35,000. The first SC Co. Fair was held in 1941 with an attendance of 55,000 The Fair was postponed in 1942 until 1945 due to World War II. The Grandstand Arena was built in 1949. The State Capitol Replica Buildings were constructed in 1950. In 1953, Exposition Hall was built. In the Main Arch and Gate Buildings were constructed in 1956. The Pavilion was built in 1960. In 1965, Gateway Hall was built. Between 1944 and 1950 San Jose Technical High School students constructed the Sheep & Swine Building, tables and display and cases, and did painting and carpentry work all over the grounds.
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Coordinates:   37°17'59"N   121°51'5"W

Comments

  • Still vaguely visible is the dirt oval track that hosted the San Jose Mile flat-track motorcycle race for many years until the 1990s, and the 1/3-mile San Jose Fairgrounds Speedway -- site of sprint car and stock car racing -- which was closed by the city council in 2000.
This article was last modified 13 years ago