California State Fair Highlights* (silent, ca. 1920s)

This black-and-white film (Gould_can_5128-OS_A) captures the excitement of the California State Fair, featuring highlights from various fair attractions and a notable appearance by Governor Hiram Johnson. Preserved on tape 2148, the footage concludes with a thrilling, staged stunt in which two "diamond stacker" railroad locomotives collide head-on, creating a dramatic finale for the fairgoers. This planned collision exemplifies the daring entertainment popular in early 20th-century fairs, making this film a captivating look at historical state fair attractions and public spectacles of the era. Email us at footage@avgeeks.com if you have questions about the footage and are interested in using it in your project.