Fonner Park was originally built in 1953 as a permanent home for the Hall County fairgrounds. The site was purchased by the Hall County Livestock Improvement Association. The park was named after August L. “Gus” Fonner, who donated the land.
The Old Reliable Hereford Show and Sale was held as its first livestock exhibition in September, before beginning its inaugural season of racing on April 29, 1954. In the years that followed, Fonner was expanded to include additional grandstand seating, expanded barn space, an indoor quarter-mile training track, and other amenities.