The first Texas State Fair and Dallas Exposition took place in 1887. More than a million people visited the fair in 1916 to meet farmers and taste their produce. Throughout history, shows have been designed to keep punters happy. A monorail served auditoriums and a stadium. Elvis Presley played the Cotton Bowl in the 1950s, and Vice President Richard Nixon visited – all under the watchful eye of the 52-foot Big Tex statue. The number of visitors exceeded three million by 1968.
These photographs are from the 1972 exhibition hall. Pecan Queen hosted the fair.
