Pony Fairs On Main Street

This is an iconic scene from the early 1900s in which a Pony Fair is happening on the wooden plank streets of Main Street in downtown Hillsboro. Horses were shown and sold, stud fees arranged, and races would take place at the Tongue Estate on the West end of the town. This was during the end of the “Sin City” era for Hillsboro, Oregon.

Hillsboro, Oregon has been the County seat of Washington County, Oregon since the very beginning. Long before football, baseball, and video games dominated the world of entertainment there were Pony Fairs. On many Saturdays, the downtown area of historic Hillsboro would spring to life with horses, ponies, and people.

Dressed in top hats, suit coats, and their finest dresses, the men and some women of the valley would gather along Main Street between 3rd and 1st Streets. Horses of all breeds and sizes were brought in for the show. Deals were made for stud services. Horses were sold and traded. Many came just for the social occasion. Lined up for blocks the people of the day had many memorable times. The day would end with races at the track on the Tongue Estate, just West of 1st and Main where the US Post Office is now.

Time it was, and what a time it was.