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Scenes from
the Fair
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1.
Magic of the White City - Built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of
Christopher Columbus' discovery of America, a "White City" with
structures resembling the great marble columns of Rome resides at
its unlikely home - a reclaimed swamp in Chicago. On May 1, 1893,
over 300,000 people gather at the site for the World's Columbian
Exposition opening. No crowd of this size has ever before assembled
in one place in the United States. |
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2. The
Fair was Alive! - President Grover Cleveland proclaims that this
Fair will show the world the glorious story of America. With a touch
of his hand to a gold telegraph key, the Fair comes to life.
Electric lights and engines activate. Electric powered fountains
shoot colored streams of water into the air. The crowd cheers then
scatters to take in the wonders around them. |
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3.
Biggest Fair Ever Held - This is the biggest World's Fair ever
held. The fairgrounds’ size and number of exhibits make it even
bigger than that of the 1889 Paris World's Fair, where the Eiffel
Tower debuted. The number of people who built the "White City" and
the price tag for its construction are staggering. |
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4. A
Future of Peace and Progress - The Fair inspires future
innovators, unveils a series of "firsts" and "biggests" and in many
ways is the real beginning of the 20th century. The Fair is the
world's biggest, most congenial melting pot and those who attend it
foresee only a great future of peace and progress among nations. |
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5.
Violence and Economic Turmoil - Some of the most violent labor
struggles in American history take place in the 1890s. Immigration
and racism cause problems throughout the country and with the Panic
of 1893 in full swing, many Americans can not even afford to attend
the Fair. |
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6. Where to Hold the Fair? - The only two
serious choices are Chicago and New York. After much competition,
Chicago is declared the winner. With no federal money allotted for
use, the City of Chicago has sole responsibility for planning,
organizing and financing the Fair - which means the fair has to make
money! |
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7.
Having Fun and Making Money - Chicago's Mayor, Carter Harrison,
knows how to make money. Some exhibits that his directors find
acceptable are not approved by the National Commission. For
instance, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show is deemed too lowbrow. The
Board of Lady Managers, raises objections to everything. In the end
lowbrow entertainment helps to fund the Fair. |
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8. The
Windy City - With a population of 1.5 million people, Chicago is
the manufacturing and agricultural center of the nation in 1893. The
city dominates the huge rail network in the middle of the United
States. Chicagoans are so impressed with their own city that the New
York press names Chicago "the windy city" - not because of the
weather, but because of all the "air" coming out of it. |
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9. A
Vision By the Lake - Chicago is built for business. Although the
skyscrapers and railroads are impressive, they are not considered
beautiful by 19th century standards. Famed landscape architect
Frederick Law Olmsted is hired to find and design the World's Fair
site and comes up with an idea that is hard to believe. He creates
the magical "White City" fairgrounds from a swamp along Lake
Michigan. |
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10.
Building the Fair - Although the buildings appear to be white
marble they are really constructed of a plaster mixture called
staff. Thousands of workers, carpenters, sculptors and architects
work around the clock through the freezing Chicago winter to have
the Fair buildings completed in time for the May opening. |
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11.
The Court of Honor - When the Fair opens visitors ask "Where do we
go first?" Most fairgoers begin their experience by admiring the
size of the buildings surrounding the Grand Basin. Visitors see the
Court of Honor, Columbian Fountain and the capitol style dome of the
Administration building. Behind the Statue of the Republic is the
Peristyle, which is like a beautiful gateway between the fairground
and outside world. |
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12.
Visiting the State Buildings - North of the Grand Basin are the
State Buildings, a popular attraction where visitors can see
exhibits of their own states. One success is the Liberty Bell,
brought from Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania Building. The State
Buildings and product exhibits in the main buildings demonstrate
what each state and territory has to offer in these times of
progress and expansion. |
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13.
Agriculture and Mines Buildings - These two impressive fair
buildings hold the wealth of the United States agricultural and
mining industries. The Agriculture Building is packed with some of
the most bizarre and unique exhibits showcasing domestic food and
distribution. The Mines Building is full of gems and rocks from
around the world, as well as new electric mining tools. |
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14.
Impressive National Buildings - The National Buildings enable
visitors to sample rare coffees, taste exotic foods and learn about
other cultures. Peace and progress are themes of the Expo. Little do
fairgoers realize how much the world would soon change in the years
to come. |
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15.
Japanese Wooded Island - Japan was a country that wasn't even open
to the west until the 1860s, and they are one of the first to apply
for space at the Fair to promote their country. Having the best
location at the Fair, the Japanese Wooded Island is a tranquil
respite full of beauty, flowers and Japanese culture. Americans are
impressed by the Japanese workers, exhibits, architecture and art. |
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16.
Largest Building on Earth - The centerpiece of the Fair, the
Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, is the largest building on
earth in 1893. Covering some 44 acres, one writer claims that it can
hold "the full standing army of Russia." The building stands an
incredible 245 feet tall and is over 1700 feet long. |
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17.
Biggest Bazaar in History - The Manufactures and Liberal Arts
Building is full of products and art from countries around the
world, deemed the biggest bazaar in history. Due to its size, no one
person can see everything in the building; however, adventurous
fairgoers go up to the roof's observation deck in the Otis Hale
Company elevator where the vision of the Fair can be truly
appreciated. |
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18.
The Electricity Building - Fairgoers are amazed by the thousands
of incandescent electric lights and arc lamps used at the Expo.
Showcased within the Electrical Building is Thomas Edison's Tower of
Light, an 80-foot column covered with jewels that are lit from
inside by incandescent lamps and choreographed to music. |
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19.
Machinery Hall - Another giant of the Expo buildings is Machinery
Hall. Visitors can see practically every kind of machine in the
world on display, all running at once. The building literally pulses
with the unprecedented power of the industrial revolution. However,
most visitors cannot stand to be within the building for even a few
minutes because it is unbearably loud. |
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20.
The Midway Plaisance - The Midway is just what the Board of Lady
Managers feared - risque, vulgar and full of beer and cigar smoke.
One great attraction is the Street of Cairo, which offers
entertainment in the form of street fighting, wrestling and exotic
dancing. Fairgoers cannot resist the fascinating sites on the
Midway. |
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21. Little Egypt - A new type of dance is
unveiled on the Midway Plaisance - Belly Dancing. The male fairgoers
are enticed by the exotic atmosphere of Cairo Street and dancers
like Little Egypt. Reporters are in awe of her beauty and repulsed
by her dancing at the same time. In the end, these exotic dancers
are some of the most popular and memorable attractions at the Fair. |
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22.
People on the Midway - A diverse collection of people that
Americans of 1893 had never seen before were displayed on the Midway
Plaisance. Eskimos, Laplanders, Dahomeys, Ceylonese, Germans and
Irish - the cultures of the world partied together in harmony. Many
visitors to the Fair find a comfortable spot on the Midway and
people watch. |
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23.
So Much More to See - There is still more on the Midway for
fairgoers to see like Haggenback's Arena full of exotic, performing
animals. The Ice Railway is there, possibly the world's first roller
coaster. Fairgoers can pay to ride the most expensive attraction at
the Fair, the Captive Balloon, at the astonishing price of $2. |
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24.
The Ferris Wheel - Fair planners want to build an engineering
marvel that will top the Eiffel Tower, but cannot agree on a plan.
Fortunately, Pittsburgh engineer George Ferris approaches them with
his idea. Ferris' Wheel is the most profitable attraction, grossing
nearly $730,000, putting the Fair into the black. Ferris hopes that
the Wheel will become a permanent monument. |
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25.
Cold Storage Fire - The Cold Storage building is another
technological marvel. One reporter calls it "the greatest
refrigerator on Earth." The building makes ice, keeps meat cold and
boasts an indoor ice skating rink. Like many buildings at the Fair,
the Cold Storage building was erected quickly with little concern
for safety. On July 10th, fire erupts in the building killing 17
people in front of a crowd of onlookers. |
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26.
Palace of Fine Arts - Unlike other Fair buildings, the Palace of
Fine Arts is built strong enough to stay. Since the paintings inside
are irreplaceable, the building must be fireproof for insurance
purposes. Unfortunately, the galleries inside are too small for the
art they hold, and there is little walking space. Few people spend a
long time in the building. |
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27.
Guns at the Fair - Germany's Krupp Gun Pavilion exhibits artillery
guns of a nation that will become a central player in some of the
bloodiest military conflicts of the 20th century. The largest gun in
the world, "The Thunderer," is there. America also displays its
military innovations at the Fair. |
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28.
Awe Inspiring Buildings - Two more awe inspiring buildings at the
Fair are the Fisheries Building and the Transportation Building. The
Fisheries Building is the birth of the modern aquarium. Crowds watch
the beauty of sea life with fascination. The Transportation
Building, complete with Louis Sullivan's Golden Door, feeds the
fairgoers' interest in movement and innovation. |
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29.
Transportation at the Fair - Because of the large size of the
fairgrounds, it is estimated that visitors will walk over 150 miles
if they are to see every exhibit. One method of transportation is
renting a wheelchair. Another popular method of transportation is
the Electric Intramural railway, an elevated electric railway.
Travel by gondola is a romantic option, so is the moveable sidewalk
which rarely works. |
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30.
Food and Beer - Food stands are everywhere serving up meals of the
day like oysters and meat platters. Those at the Fair can get relief
from the summer heat by drinking beer - the daily drink of many
working men. Wine is also a popular beverage at the Fair and
showcased in massive, ornate displays located in the Horticulture
Building. |
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31. Food Firsts and Music - Many "firsts"
credited to the Expo are related to food and drink, including a
snack later known as Cracker Jack. The music directors put a lot of
money and effort into attracting renowned composers and orchestras
to the Fair, but most visitors are not interested. The piano war
erupts over the banned Steinway used by pianist, Ignacy Jan
Paderewski. |
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32.
People and Problems - Many American celebrities come to the
Expo, but most visitors are from the American middle class. For
working class people, the cost of the Fair can be expensive. The
cost of rides and food can add up. In addition, fairgoers cannot
take a photo at the Fair without purchasing a permit. It seems that
one of the few free conveniences in the "White City" is the use of
toilet facilities. |
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33. Murder of the Mayor - The Fair is
scheduled to close on October 31st with a grand ceremony. Sadly, the
corrupt Mayor Harrison would never have a chance to celebrate the
closing after his meeting with Patrick Eugene Prendergast. |
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34.
End of Fair - After midnight on October 31st, the exterior
lights are shut off and the Expo passes into history. There are
arguments about what to do with the massive fair buildings. Those
arguments are resolved when the fires erupt sealing the fate of the
"White City." The buildings are torn down faster than they were
built. |
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35.
Jackson Park Today - The Fair is gone today but its legacy lives
on in Jackson Park in Chicago. The beautiful park still retains the
brilliant vision of Frederick Law Olmsted. The only remaining
building is the Palace of Fine Arts, now the Chicago Museum of
Science and Industry. Its impressive structure stands majestically
over the North Pond offering a glimpse of 1893. |
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