National Cattle Congress: Iowa Time Machine October 10, 1910

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On October 10, 1910, the first National Cattle Congress (then Iowa Dairy Cattle Congress) came together in Waterloo. The iconic annual agricultural fair and year-round event space hasdrawn visitors from far and wide for over 110 years.

After five previous dairy cattle congresses, other Midwestern cities vied to host the event when it debuted along the Cedar River in Waterloo. After organizing the first five events, Iowa State University Professor Hugh Van Pelt gets credit for moving the 1910 show to Black Hawk County and organizing the event. Van Pelt even secured ‘13 carloads of the choicest cattle’ from the Illinois State Fair to appear at the inaugural event.

In 1911, the event nearly moved to Des Moines. However, Waterloo put up $6,000 and $8,000 in prize money to secure the event's return for a second year. In 1912, the event moved from Chautauqua Park to the location familiar to Iowans today. Iconic venues, including Electric Park and the Hippodrome, draw a diverse range of visitors for events ranging from high-profile entertainment to agricultural exhibits.

Although challenges include the Great Depression, World War II, weather, and a failed entry into the Greyhound racing business, the National Cattle Congress remains a staple of the Cedar Valley. Today, the annual fair follows state fairs and gives exhibitors from across the greater Midwest a chance to see how their prize-winning cattle stack up against other champions. #Iowa #OTD #History #Farming #Cows