PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS
Page 83 – THE BRAZIL BUILDING
THE BRAZIL BUILDING.—The structure erected by the greatest of the South American Republics was what might have been expected from that great country. Brazil appropriated for the Columbian Exposition no less than $600,000, and of this sum $50,000 was expended on the building where all visitors were entertained and where were the official head-quarters of the commission. The edifice was in the form of a Greek cross, and it was originally intended by the architect to build the entire superstructure of steel, but threatened delays at the manufacturers necessitated a change of plan and wood was largely used. The building occupied a conspicuous position on the shore of the North Pond, directly opposite the Illinois Building, and attracted attention by its graceful proportions and style of decoration. It occupied an area of one hundred and fifty feet square and was surmounted by a dome forty feet in diameter and forty feet above the roof. The height of the two stories was sixty feet and the height in the clear one hundred and fifty feet. There were four campaniles used as points of observation, while the roof, which was adorned profusely with tropical plants, was utilized as a promenade from which a fine view of the grounds was afforded. The interior contained a large arena, the mural paintings and sculpture of which illustrated events in the history of Brazil. The offices of the commissioners were on the first floor ,and a host of friends were made by the representatives of the distant friendly country. There were no exhibits in the building though Brazil was well represented elsewhere.
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