4-H project features signs around fairgrounds

WASHINGTON — Caedyn Huston’s 4-H project this summer is one of a handful selected for the Iowa State Fair, but one of only a few so immediately visible on the fairgrounds.

Huston spent the last several months fundraising for and installing signs around the land’s historical landmarks, a continuation of a brochure-based walking tour he made last year.

“I thought that all the historical stops on this tour, whether it be a ground or a structure or a building, were underappreciated and sometimes even overlooked,” he said. “I figured that a very good way to help people understand appreciate these … would be to have something that explained it a little bit better.”

With everything said and done, the project took from February this year to the week before the fair to complete. Huston said he was happy with the results.

“I’m very proud of it, and I even have a couple more I’m going to do, so this project is not over,” he said. “I have five current signs, and there’s two others I was not able to get sponsors for … hopefully I can get sponsors for that, maybe even this summer.”

The research consisted of sifting through old newspapers and primary resources, plus consulting with local historians. Most of that process was done last year, for the brochure-based walking tour. While it was a lot of work, Huston said he was passionate about the subject.

“I’m a really big history buff, especially local history,” he said. “These buildings and grounds and structures, to think about what they were being used for 100 years ago or longer is amazing.”

Huston said his favorite newly marked site was the Chautauqua grounds, an out-of-the-way area on the north side of the fairgrounds, close to the model train club, which today hosts performers at the fair.

“It was sort of like a Christian, non-denominational gathering, they would have prominent speakers of the time come and present to these large groups of people,” he said. “I think it’s just amazing that our fairgrounds … had something similar over 100 years ago.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com