Yachting to the World’s Fair

Visitors traveled to the 1893 World’s Fair by train, boat, carriage, horse, bicycle, and even by foot (sometimes very long distances). Below is an annotated excerpt from “Going to the Fair” in the June 1893 issue of Current Literature, in which the author describes the route to travel by yacht from New York to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. “The Water Route” Certainly for the man who owns a boat capable of making the journey, no more delightful trip [...]

By Scott|2018-06-03T09:25:54-05:00June 3rd, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The “Farmer’s Bridge.” (p. 52)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 52 – THE "FARMER'S BRIDGE" THE "FARMER'S BRIDGE." — Not a few of the prominent features of the Columbian Exposition acquired popular titles quite different from their official designation. The main entrance to the Transportation Building became known as "The Golden Door," the rolling chairs propelled largely by theological students, acquired the title of " Gospel Chariots;" the Columbian Guards were called the "Tin Soldiers," and in other directions [...]

By Randy|2018-06-01T05:51:07-05:00June 1st, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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Memorial Day, 1893

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan of Illinois, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance of “comrades who died in defense of their country” during the recent war between the states. Decoration Day was held on May 30 annually. By 1890, all northern states had adopted the holiday. In 1968, the U.S. Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. Decoration Day 1893 was the first [...]

By Scott|2018-05-28T08:19:09-05:00May 28th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Agriculture Building (p. 51)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 51 – THE AGRICULTURE BUILDING THE AGRICULTURE BUILDING.—Viewed from the northwest, different facades of the great Agriculture Building can be seen and a fair idea obtained of its magnitude and beauty. Though but a single story in height, most imposing effects were sought in the design of the structure and were fully realized. Its dimensions were, for the main building, eight hundred by five hundred feet, and for the [...]

By Randy|2022-01-23T11:30:54-06:00May 25th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Happy Bertha-day

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Bertha Honoré Palmer, on May 22, 1849, in Louisville, Kentucky. As President of the Board of Lady Managers for the 1893 World’s Fair, she made lasting impact on the shape of the Columbian Exposition, especially with regard to raising the profile of women’s contributions to society. Here is an excerpt from her Dedication Day address, presented on October 21, 1892, in the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building to a crowd of [...]

By Scott|2018-05-20T17:58:32-05:00May 22nd, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , |0 Comments
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The Most Wonderful Achievement the World Has Ever Seen

This article from the May 6, 1893, issue of Engineering and Mining News espouses the glory and shortfallings of the Columbian Exposition, which had recently opened in Chicago. View of north lagoon, Art Palace and state buildings, photography by William Henry Jackson. [Image from the Ball State University digital media repository.] The World’s Columbian Fair, which was opened at Chicago, May 1st, is already, in its buildings and promises to be in its exhibits, the most wonderful achievement [...]

By Scott|2018-05-20T09:34:00-05:00May 21st, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Horticulture Building (p. 50)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 50 – THE HORTICULTURE BUILDING THE HORTICULTURE BUILDING.—It is doubtful if among all the views taken upon the World's Fair grounds one has been secured which in beauty and general interest surpasses that given here. It is from the top of the Government Building looking west over the Wooded Island and commanding the whole splendid frontage of the Horticulture Building, a view which, from the nature of things, could [...]

By Randy|2021-05-05T14:20:54-05:00May 17th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Iron Gates, German Section (p. 49)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 49 – THE IRON GATES, GERMAN SECTION THE IRON GATES, GERMAN SECTION.—The facade, if it may be so called, of the German exhibit in the Manufactures Building, was as unique as it was attractive. No solid front or imposing arches faced the visitor, but, instead, merely three iron gates connected by an iron fence. But the gates were on a grand scale and with the connecting fence formed in [...]

By Randy|2018-05-16T08:04:05-05:00May 14th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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The First Ticket Sold at the World’s Fair?

The following story about Opening Day of the Columbian Exposition on May 1, 1893, comes from “Sketches and Anecdotes of the Fair” in the June 1893 issue of Current Literature [public domain]. A contrasting story published in the Chicago Daily Tribune reported that the first person on the fairgrounds on Opening Day was a man from Oskaloosa, Iowa. Whether or not the story below is true … it should be. Probably the most humorous incident of the opening day [...]

By Scott|2022-01-22T12:48:38-06:00May 10th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Ferris Wheel (p. 48)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 48 – THE FERRIS WHEEL THE FERRIS WHEEL.—What the Eiffel Tower was to the Paris Exposition the Ferris Wheel was to the Columbian. Like the Eiffel Tower, it was a triumph of engineering and an example of metal construction on a gigantic scale, but it had the additional feature of activity. It was in motion, a monster plaything, a device for furnishing a novel experience to the multitude. The [...]

By Randy|2018-05-07T05:34:34-05:00May 7th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The French Statue of the Republic (p. 47)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 47 – THE FRENCH STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC THE FRENCH STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC.—The majestic gilded figure which stood at the east end of the great basin in the court of Honor, and which typified the nation inviting her sisters of the world, was not the only representative statue of a Republic to be seen at the Exposition. On the east side of the broad thoroughfare known as Columbia [...]

By Randy|2018-04-18T05:55:07-05:00April 18th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The German Castle (p. 46)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 46 – THE GERMAN CASTLE THE GERMAN CASTLE.—The most notable feature of the German Village in Midway Plaisance was, assuredly, the German Castle, a manner of structure with which very few save foreign visitors were at, all familiar. It bore little resemblance to the ideal fortress of the Middle Ages, even to those upon the Rhine whence robber barons descended upon passing bodies of traders or to make war [...]

By Randy|2018-04-14T06:44:54-05:00April 14th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , |1 Comment
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – A Group of State Buildings (p. 45)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 45 – A GROUP OF STATE BUILDINGS A GROUP OF STATE BUILDINGS.—The State Buildings, though dwarfed by the monster structures south of them, made a city by themselves in the north and northwest parts of the Exhibition grounds, and afforded varying and beautiful types of architecture in their exteriors, while among their interior displays were many rarely surpassed in interest- The view above presented is from an elevated point [...]

By Randy|2018-04-11T12:01:07-05:00April 11th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , |1 Comment
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – Interior View in the Government Building (p. 44)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 44 – INTERIOR VIEW IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING INTERIOR VIEW IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.—While the building erected by the government of the United States was hardly counted among the architectural masterpieces of the Fair, it was at least to be expected that the vast resources available would make its exhibits of special interest, and in this respect public opinion was not wrong. From the possessions of the Smithsonian Institution, [...]

By Randy|2018-04-07T17:58:55-05:00April 5th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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Fake News, 1892 edition

While it may feel like a new problem, fake news has been with us for a long time. Perhaps no day brings more “alternative facts” than does April Fool’s Day. Long before Russian troll farms, the New York press was at it, attempting to undermine the upcoming World’s Columbian Exposition that was set to open in Chicago on May 1, 1893. The January 11, 1892, issue of World’s Columbian Exposition Illustrated aimed to set the record straight in their column [...]

By Scott|2018-03-30T20:39:40-05:00April 1st, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Great Display of Windmills (p. 43)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 43 – THE GREAT DISPLAY OF WINDMILLS THE GREAT DISPLAY OF WINDMILLS.—One of the most picturesque effects produced on the Exposition grounds was that resulting from the grouping of windmills of all sorts and kinds in competition. From the old Dutch windmill made famous in poetry and story to the latest patented American invention, they were there in the path of the lake breezes, blazing in all colors and [...]

By Randy|2018-07-07T12:16:15-05:00March 28th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Administration Building (p. 42)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 42 – THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.—The heart of the great entity known as the Columbian Exposition was in the Administration Building. Here were the offices of the Presidents and here, also, those of the Director-General and some of his immediate lieutenants. From here the vast machinery was directed and controlled, and about here as a nucleus thronged the multitude preliminary to any great festal occasion. It was [...]

By Randy|2018-03-24T06:19:40-05:00March 24th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – Japanese Government Buildings (p. 41)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 41 – JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.—From the very inception of the idea of the Columbian Exposition, the Japanese Government showed a hearty good will toward the United States in the movement, and was one of the earliest nations on the ground engaged in the erection of its buildings. A site on the Wooded Island was given the old empire, it being the only country occupying space in [...]

By Randy|2018-03-24T06:24:29-05:00March 22nd, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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Grover Cleveland’s Columbian Exposition Keepsake

We conclude a trio of stories this week about President Grover Cleveland’s visit to the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago with a newspaper report about a handsome Columbian Exposition keepsake. The following tidbit about Opening Day of the Columbian Exposition on May 1, 1893, comes from “The Great Fair Opens” in the June 1893 issue of Current Literature [public domain]. Bibliophiles may wonder where this handsome volume is today! ___________________________________________________________ President Cleveland, says the Chicago Record, carried away with [...]

By Scott|2018-03-18T09:42:58-05:00March 20th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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An Irish Serenade for President Cleveland

Continuing our celebration this week of both St. Patrick’s Day and the anniversary of President Grover Cleveland’s birth, we present this annotated report from the May 2, 1893, edition of the San Sabo (TX) News. The article describes how a group of Irish women from the Midway serenaded President Cleveland as he departed Chicago after the Opening Ceremony of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. _________________________________________________________________________ OFF TO WASHINGTON Photograph of Grover Cleveland. [Image from Dedicatory and Opening Ceremonies [...]

By Scott|2018-03-18T10:19:10-05:00March 19th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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