YAKIMA, Wash. – The Central Washington State Fair offers new foods, rides and acts every year, but one of its biggest attractions has been around for 129 years.
The Ag Building, which is the oldest standing structure at the fair, holds a significant place in the fair’s history. Often overshadowed by the fair’s more modern attractions, it showcases a wealth of local history.
Dedicated in 1907, the Ag Building retains many of its original features. While the exterior was renovated in the late 1980s, the interior remains as it was when first built. Kathy Kramer, president of the Central Washington State Fair Board, highlighted the building’s value.
“I think it’s the jewel. I’ve nicknamed it the jewel of the fair and it truly is,” Kramer said.
Featuring a 32,000-square-foot all-wood structure, the building initially cost just $15,000 to construct in 1895. Kramer emphasized the building’s importance by comparing its construction cost to today’s rates. In 2024, that $15,000 would be worth over $500,000.
“It is over 32,000 square feet. And can you believe it only cost $15,000 to build in 1895? It is an all-wood structure. I would hate to think about the cost of replacing it today,” Kramer stated.
A sign outside the building mentions “A Miracle on 34th Street” actor John Payne was stationed on the fairgrounds during the war. While playing basketball in the rec room, he broke his leg on the court that you could still see paint from today.
Today, it hosts exhibits from local granges and high school Future Farmers of America, celebrating the agricultural heritage of the Yakima Valley.
“It comes alive, and it doesn’t come alive by itself. We have the commitment. There are dozens of granges just across the valley that actually have these grange booths, and they spend the whole year planning their theme,” Kramer said.
One of this year’s first place winning exhibits, from Buena, is called “Grandmother’s Cellar.”
“While it’s very simple because they’ve got baskets of harvest, how things were gathered in baskets, hey take you through some of the preservation process of it too,” says Kramer.”Which is very important because, you know, 129 years ago when this building was built, they were showcasing it. We didn’t have all the methods to go by those things in the grocery stores like we do today.”
