Three young boys wearing overalls while eating cotton candy at the 1955 Oregon State Fair (negative 12 of 16).

Crowds of people walking down the fairway during the 1955 Oregon State Fair (negative 13 of 16).

An unidentified woman is seated next to an artificial waterfall set up at the fairgrounds during the 1955 Oregon State Fair (negative 16 of 16).

A man smokes a cigar and brushes cattle on display at the 1955 Oregon State Fair (negative 7 of 16).

Barbara Fairchild performing with an elephant named Shirley, during the opening of the Oregon State Fair. Fairchild wears a white leotard and stands holding a cane above her head. Shirley, the elephant, stands, raised on its hind legs immediately behind Fairchild (negative 3 of 16).

Two young women stand next to a planter box and hold a hose that waters the plants. They look at each other and smile. They are preparing for the Oregon State Fair. The fairgrounds are partially visible behind them, and there are large flower bushes in the background on the left (negative 9 of 12).

A girl leads a horse by the reigns down a path next to a building that has the word "Livestock" painted on it. She is preparing for the Oregon State Fair (negative 8 of 12).

A building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon. The stucco building has an arched walkway with a row of flagpoles above it. A number of automobiles can be seen parked outside the building.

A view of the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Oregon. Large tents are set up throughout the space and a carnival ride can be seen in motion. A large brick building and a racetrack are both visible in the background.

Exterior view of a building on the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Stairs lead up to an arched walkway with tall grasses planted in front. Flagpoles are visible coming out of the roof.

Interior view of a building at the Oregon State Fair. The interior is filled with flowers and other plants. Various exhibits are visible on two levels, including for the G. F. Johnson Piano Co., H. L. Stiff Furniture Co., Santiam Woolen Mills, and the U.S. Indian School. People can be seen walking through the space and looking at the exhibits.

Exterior view of the Poultry Building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. The Spanish Colonial Revival style building has arched windows and busts of roosters on the walls that double as flag stanchions. A bed of flowers can be seen in the foreground.

A view of the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon showing the Poultry Building on the left hand side of the image and the Horse Stadium on the right. A circular sidewalk is visible in the foreground with plantings in the middle.

Exterior view of the Poultry Building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. The Spanish Colonial Revival style building has arched windows and busts of roosters on the walls that double as flag stanchions. A bed of flowers can be seen in the foreground.

Exterior view of the Horse Stadium at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon. The building is brick and arched bays can be seen running the length of the walls. Lettering above the main entrance reads, "Stadium" and a sign on the roof reads, "Horse Show."

Exterior view of the Horse Stadium at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon. The building is brick and arched bays can be seen running the length of the walls. Lettering above the main entrance reads, "Stadium." A gazebo is visible in the foreground.

Exterior view of a building on the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon. A partially enclosed walkway with arches is visible running along one side of the stucco building. A driveway can be seen next to the building with automobiles parked along it.

Exterior view of a building on the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon. The stucco building has an arched roof and a partially enclosed walkway with arches along one side. A driveway can be seen running past the building with automobiles parked on it.

A display for Fordson tractors at the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Oregon. Two tractors are visible along with various attachments. Two advertisements for Ford cars hang on the wall and flags are draped from the ceiling.