The Scarborough Crossroads website represents a modern day meeting place for our community. In the past, events like the Scarboro and Cape Elizabeth Fair served this function. This is the reason we have chosen the fair photograph to highlight our pages. The following essay by Rodney Laughton takes us back to an earlier time. This material is taken from the book: "Images of America, Scarborough" by Rodney Laughton, Arcadia Publishing, Dover, New Hampshire, 1996.

Scarboro Fair was an agricultural fair held from about 1875 to 1900. The actual name was the Scarboro and Cape Elizabeth Fair, but it was never called by that name. The fairgrounds were on the Nutter property, roughly from Engine 3 Station to Pleasant Hill School.

In the early years of the fair, the judges stand was open. The judges climbed a ladder and pulled it up after them. Later, stairs and a roof were added. When the fair broke up, the stand was moved to the Robinson Farm and used as a summer house.

People came to the fair from all over, and the trains made a special stop at the bottom of Pleasant Hill. The main event was horse racing, held on an oval track. Facing the track was a grandstand that backed up to Highland Avenue. There was a ladies' driving event, and it is said there were a few side bets placed.

The ladies exhibited fine handwork, quilts, and preserves. Farm animals were shown and oxen pulled in competition. Cabbage was a major crop in this area, especially in Cape Elizabeth, and it was shown along with other vegetables and farm products. There were peddlers who sold fruit, popcorn, and soft drinks.