Established in 1859 by the Union Agricultural Fair Association, the Mattoon Union Agricultural Fairgrounds covered a 90-acre rectangle north and west of this location, with livestock barns around its perimeter and a one-mile figure-8 horse race track. Periodic races and small agricultural displays were held there in 1859, 1860, and 1862. The association disbanded in 1862 as many of its influential members left Mattoon to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. During the war’s four years, the fairgrounds became a Union Army muster camp where Illinois Infantry regiments were formed and sworn into service. Camp Grant became the most prominent of the camp’s several names, honoring State of Illinois recruitment and training officer Captain U.S. Grant, who swore the 21st Illinois Infantry into service there in May 1861. Other units formed at the camp included the 79th, 123rd, 135th, and 143rd Illinois Infantry Regiments. The 123rd Illinois Infantry, commanded by Mattoon’s Colonel James Monroe and later part of Wilder’s Mounted Brigade, was deployed by rail from Camp Grant to Louisville, Kentucky, immediately before taking part in the Battle of Perryville in October 1862. In the 20th century, the fairgrounds area was annexed by the City of Mattoon as the Grant Park addition.