PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS
Page 89 – FORT SHERIDAN IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING
FORT SHERIDAN IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.—In point of reproduction, under a roof, of certain objects connected with the aim of its display the government did exceptionally well. The lay figures of soldiers and animals, the first to exhibit styles of uniforms of different eras, the second to illustrate means of transportation under certain circumstances, were exceedingly life-like and deceived, for the moment, hosts of the inexperienced. In the illustration given here, while the main subject is, of course, the representation of Fort Sheridan, which occupies the foreground, there is much to interest in the figures grouped beyond, recalling in their style of dress the heroes of 1812 or of the later war with Mexico. They look as if they had stepped down out of some of the school histories. Of the representation of Fort Sheridan, Chicago’s pet army post, it may be said that it was remarkably well done and attracted much attention, perhaps even more from Chicagoans than from visitors, since Chicagoans know all about Fort Sheridan’s brief history, while comparatively few of them have ever visited the grounds. To the north and left is the parade ground and south of it the row of buildings devoted to the various uses of the post, with the familiar tower in the center and together a dividing line between the barrack grounds and the parade. Over in the distance, away to the north and east and nearer Lake Michigan, appear the officers’ residences. The work was executed in stucco and the whole was surrounded by a fence with ascending steps outside, enabling a view of the interior.