The Arkansas Livestock Show Association has existed for seventy-five years, but since the late 1860s, Arkansas has had numerous State Fairs and Livestock Shows. While these early Fairs and associations promoted agriculture in their state and tourism in their cities, they struggled year after year to raise the money needed to hold these events. With the social upheaval caused by the Great Depression, a group of businessmen, farmers, and educators led by oilman T. H. Barton began to dream of a new Arkansas economy that was not dependent on cotton farming.
Authors: Dr. Jim Ross and Deb Crow
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