Forest Park came into being just after the Civil War. It was bought by a group of men, known as the Fair Ground Association, and its virgin beauty was modernized by the addition of several improvements. Among these were a racetrack and grandstand.

In a day when horseflesh was more commonly discussed than baseball is now, these additions should have been a brilliant success and netted their owners many shekels. Instead they were the cause of Fair Association's downfall. Not long after it was erected the grandstand collapsed and several people were badly injured in the wreck. Lawsuits were brought against the Fair Association for damages and that body soon went broke.

But after the Fair Association departed their memory lingered on. Eventually another Fair Association was formed somewhat on the lines of the first one. Fairs, however, were new-fangled notions in those days, and the county just didn't seem to be "Fair minded." The second association also went broke.

Shortly after this the state passed the "Agricultural Fair Association Law," in which state aid was extended to those fairs meeting certain of the state's requirements. When the park, or as it was then commonly known, "The Fair Grounds," was put up for sale in foreclosure, a group of business men organized the third and present Fair Association and bought it. They improved the grounds, built the present auditorium, dug the lake, and some years later put in a small swimming pool. All revenue derived from the grounds was put back in the form of improvements. County fairs were held here and prize livestock, cakes, poultry, quilts, jelly, and various other products were proudly put on display for the entire world to view.

For twenty-six years Chautauqua’s were conducted at Forest Park. Cottages were built and folks came from far and near to attend during the Chautauqua season. Mixed with the cultural values to be found within the auditorium were the various social aspects of "camping out" in the cottages or coming to stay just for the day -or night -and meeting friends and neighbors. Quite often the Chautauqua took on the complexion of a homecoming. There were always hails of greeting, and groups of people moving about the grounds. Older folks sat on benches under the trees and youngsters chased hither and thither with stains of ice cream, candy, and pop upon suits that had once been immaculate. Then there were the young couples strolling slowly up and down and paying regrettably little attention to the talent the Fair Association had gone to so much trouble to acquire.

However, the social side never obscured the cultural aspect of the Chautauqua. Many famous speakers came to the park and in the cool auditorium most of Shelbyville, arrayed in its Sunday best and wielding a fan for comfort, sat and gladly listened to them. Like its famous contemporary, Lithia Springs, the Shelbyville Chautauqua brought the world -so far removed and remote in those days -to the local doorstep. Doctor, lawyer, merchant, farmer, housewife, and day laborer, sat and listened to such men as Taft and Bryan, and went away with several new ideas and a considerably broader' horizon.

The Fair Association spent Seven thousand dollars a year; on its sixteen day program of music, drama, and speaking. The greatest attraction the Chautauqua ever had was the wise cracking minister, Sam Jones. Thousands came to hear him. The Shelbyville Chautauqua was one of the few independent Chautauqua's, and was never on any circuit, though many efforts were made to force it to join one.

From constantly hearing good talent the Chautauqua goers became pampered and a little spoiled. When a mediocre performer took the stage, instead of lapsing into legarthic boredom, they tapped the concrete floor and made various disturbing noises. Eventually the name of Shelbyville spread through the ranks of the performers as being a town not easily satisfied. Those who had been there called themselves members of the "0. S. S.", Order of Shelbyville Survivors. As proof of talent they proudly cited the fact they had been to Shelbyville -and survived.

But as the automobiles and movies and the radios came, the Chautauqua gradually dwindled. After a few years it dies. The world was coming to the people’s doorstep in such a number of ways they didn't need the Chautauqua so much anymore. The county fairs declined too. For some years none were held. Then the movement revived for a time, then died again. At last the fair went to join the Chautauqua. Forest Park, which had been a recreational center ever since Civil War days was just an empty park with a jumble of cottages and a miniature swimming pool. The good old days were gone.