Here are some things to consider in regards to newspapers. 1. Dont limit yourself to the library. Check the area historical society and universities for data basis. Often Universities have extensive free (downloadable) data bases because they have the funding to digitalize the information this goes for maps too). 2. Use a mindset of 'pre-war/post-war in your searching. Lifestyle vastly changed after WWII. You can also apply the same logic to WWI. Think about entertainment, where people went and did before there was TV and before radio and movies. 3. Newspapers documented all events small and large of their times. Usually there where more than one newspaper and, usually some or most dont exist anymore. It would be wise to find out what were the publications during the history of your area. Newspapers werent the only publications that documented local events. 4. In the agricultural society of the 1800's spring and fall where busy time with planting and harvesting, but summer when everything was growing it was time to play. Horse racing was big along with other competition 'fairs' where privately promoted all across the county. These where not the traditional 'county fairs' held after harvest. I'd be willing to bet you have several in your area for years from the mid 1800's through the late 'teens when they faded out. Finding those locations have been very fruitful for me. Remember too that the location of the fairgrounds in your local area often as not is not the same as in the 1800's. What was than the edge of town is now well inside the city limits. I hope this little bit of information is of use to you.
