f you've ever watched the famous chariot race scene in
the movie Ben-Hur (either the 1959 Charlton Heston
version or the forgettable 2016 remake), surely your first
thought was, "Why aren't we doing this at our county
fair?"
Because that's exactly what Americans thought after
reading Lew Wallace's bestselling 1880 novel of the same
name. The novel, the result of seven years of research by the
retired Civil War general, included an exciting description of
Roman chariot racing that soon inspired imitation. The sport
became popular as entertainment at state and county fairs in
Nebraska and across the country.
Chariot racing was an attraction at the Nebraska State
Fair in 1881. The Columbus Journal on Aug. 17 announced
that the races would be at night under electric lights, a first
for the fair. "The audience in the amphitheatre will be able
to distinguish the horses and the colors worn by the drivers
... They will drive teams of four horses abreast, and have
agreed to make the run of a half-mile around the track in one
minute."
The Nebraska State Fair continued to host such races during
the 1880s. Smaller fairs around the state also sponsored
them. The Buffalo County Fair at Kearney in 1887 advertised
"hippodrome and Roman chariot races by parties who came
especially from Illinois for that purpose." The Adams County
Fair at Hastings in 1889 included "Ben-Hur chariot races,
[and] Roman mounted races" in its schedule of events.
A Brief History
NSHS
RG1431-76-18
Chariot racing at the Red Willow County Fair in McCook, undated photo. NSHS RG1431-76-18
By the Nebraska State Historical Society
I
Chariot Racing at Nebraska Fairs
12 NEBRASKAland • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2017
Chariot racing at the Red Willow County Fair in McCook undated photo NSHS RG1431 76 18
By the early 1900s, chariot racing was no longer a new
sensation, but remained on the program at many fairs. Custer
County Republican, Aug. 25, 1904.
B h l 1900 h i i l
