The great Ferris Wheel on the Midway Plaisance of the World’s Columbian Exposition opened to the public on June 21, 1893.
The following account comes from Mrs. Julia Waugh, whose letter describing her ride on the Ferris Wheel was published in the July 7, 1893, issue of the Crawfordsville (IN) Weekly Journal. She notes that her “memorable trip” was taken the second day after the opening of the attraction, when 1,000 tickets were purchased in the first two hours.
The impressions during the first ascent vary with the individual, the timid may be somewhat nervous from the novelty of the situation, while the stout-hearted revel in the delight of a wonderful and awe-inspiring experience. As you rise into space above the tops of high buildings and the vast panorama of the Plaisance, the lake, the Fair and Chicago unfolds to view, you may well believe yourself transported to the land of the fairies. It is a picture which no pen can paint, no imagination conceive. Whatever timidity you may have felt on entering the car is entirely dissipated by confidence in the perfect equilibrium and the movement is all but imperceptible. There is no swaying or swinging motion, and people who are very sensitive to the motion of boat, or ordinary cars feel absolutely no inclination to dizziness. Heretofore only aeronauts have been able to enjoy such magnificent views, but the Ferris wheel now furnishes a safe and comfortable way in which to enjoy this incomparable pleasure.
“The Ferris Wheel” from the Chicago Herald on October 9, 1893, which was “Chicago Day” at the Fair.
The illustration above, from the October 9, 1893, issue of the Chicago Herald, shows various scenes of the Midway Plaisance from around and atop the Ferris Wheel. The visual vignettes are labeled “A Birdseye View, Southeast,” “Overlooking West End of the Plaisance,” “Ascending to the Ferris Wheel,” “A Trip to the Moon,” “Love Above the Clouds,” “The Main Entrance,” “By Gum,” “The Moving Power,” and “Visitors of Note.” The accompanying caption describes “fifteen minutes spent in fairy land” aboard the ride.
There is no grander sight to be enjoyed than a ride on this great wheel at night. Rising gradually from the ground till the height of 260 feet is attained, a magnificent panorama of the Fair grounds greets the vision of the occupant of the car. The domes of the magnificent palaces of the White City are seen in distinct outline, while thousands of electric lights sparkle like diamonds in the broad avenues of this magic ground. The lake forms a beautiful dark background, through which the World’s Fair steamers are seen gliding lighted and propelled apparently by some mysterious power. Descending Washington Park is seen in the foreground, dark with only an occasional twinkle of the bright electric lights partly hidden from view by the foliage of the trees, while the great City of Chicago, with its myriads of lights twinkling from windows and street lamps, stretches away far west to the horizon. It is fifteen minutes spent in fairy land, often repeated and never forgotten. A ride on the great wheel in daytime shows many beautiful scenes not seen at night, but without the ride at night amidst the 3,000 electric lamps which illuminate this great structure, only half the pleasure is received the wheel gives to its admirers.
“The Ferris Wheel at Night,” from a stereoview card published by H. H. Bennett, 1893.