According to the recent master plan announcement, the 340-acre fairgrounds is due for a complete makeover in the next decade and a half.

Except for an $8.5 million grandstand expansion, Wyland Hall and adjoining all-purpose buildings, major additions have not occurred on the grounds since the 1950s. Bing Crosby Hall was built in 1952; the Don Diego clock tower was added in 1954; the first major expansion of the grandstand was in 1955; a marquee was added to the clock tower a year later; and Harvest Hall (Exhibit Hall) went up in 1957.

Now projected are a condo-hotel, a state-of-the-art exhibition building, a meeting hall, a modern fire station, a safer entrance from Solana Beach and other improvements.

The 1950s were in reality a remarkable era for the cash-starved 22nd District Agricultural Association, which owns the fairgrounds. There was summer racing for 41 days, however, revenue to the district in 1950 was only a modest $254,497 compared with 2007 when the 43-day meeting netted the district more than $7.5 million from racing.

What the district lacked in financial resources during that decade it made up in leadership verve of then-manager Paul T. Mannen and his seven-member board of directors that included Julian apple grower Franklin Barnes, agriculturist Chaffee Young of Escondido, water and citrus guru Ray Badger of Rancho Santa Fe, businessman Bill Edic, floriculturist Don Briggs of Leucadia, John Wilkinson of Lakeside and Duane Hawkins of Chula Vista.

R.E. “Pappy” Hazard, a major San Diego contractor, did a lot of the work at the fairgrounds and was paid in increments because the State Department of Food & Agriculture could not give the district a lot of money in big amounts.

The clock tower was designed as a hat. However, it was not like the sombrero worn by Don Diego, the fair’s live goodwill ambassador. Its purpose was to serve as an information center, the place for families and friends to meet, and as a much-needed comfort station.

Harvest Hall replaced the last of the three center-pole canvas tents and as the name implies, housed citrus and agricultural products of the county as well as competitive exhibits entered by community organizations.

The Pat O’Brien pavilion was built in 1980 when William E “Bill” Dumond was manager. With limited funding, it was designed without side walls to house floriculture exhibits and related commercial products.

R.R. Richardson, then president of the board of directors and a very active union leader, envisioned the pavilion being dedicated in his name as his legacy.

An enthusiastic fair staffer, unaware of Richardson’s dream, suggested to Dumond that it be named the Pat O’Brien Pavilion to coincide with Bing Crosby Hall. They were responsible for advancing funds to complete construction of the racetrack when the National Recovery Act tapped out.

Dumond suggested the idea be presented to the directors and they gave it their enthusiastic approval.

Pat O’Brien was not present for the dedication because he was appearing in summer stock across the country. His grown children represented him at the ceremony and recalled visiting the fair as kids and all the fun they had on the rides. The O’Briens at that time lived on the beach within walking distance of the fairgrounds.

Richardson did not attend the dedication due to a previous commitment.