The 1st Michigan State Fair was held in 1849, which is claimed by the state of MI to be the oldest state fair in the US. The first fair was held in Detroit, MI. In 1904, Joseph L. Hudson, with 3 of his associates, gave the State Fair its permanent home. They formed the State Fair Land Company, which acquired 135 acres between 7½ and 8 Mile Rds, east of Woodward Ave. Hudson had no interest in running the fair, he sold the land to the Michigan State Agricultural Society for $1.00 on 18 Apr 1905.