George R. Davis – Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

Director-General of the WCE

Mayhem on the Midway
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Mayhem on the Midway

REPRINTS

Mayhem on the Midway

Chicagoans rioted in the street—looting shops, destroying property, and attacking law enforcement. They were drunk, lascivious, and did not stop their mayhem until morning. The year was 1893. The place was the Midway Plaisance, the entertainment district of the World’s Columbian Exposition. Just two nights earlier, an assassin had gunned down Chicago’s colorful and beloved mayor, Carter Harrison, Sr., at his front door. With the pageant planned for the Columbian Exposition Closing Day ceremonies cancelled out of respect for [...]

By Scott|2025-10-29T07:50:47-05:00October 30th, 2025|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Bedouin Camp-Wild East Show, Chinese Village, Closing Day, Columbian Guard, Edmund Rice, Ferris Wheel, George R. Davis, Harlow Higinbotham, Midway Plaisance, rolling chairs, Turkish Village, W.W. Denslow|0 Comments

“It would never do to leave it out”: How the Columbian Exposition was omitted from the U.S. Capitol’s FRIEZE OF AMERICAN HISTORY
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“It would never do to leave it out”: How the Columbian Exposition was omitted from the U.S. Capitol’s FRIEZE OF AMERICAN HISTORY

HISTORY

“It would never do to leave it out”: How the Columbian Exposition was omitted from the U.S. Capitol’s FRIEZE OF AMERICAN HISTORY

The United States Capitol almost became the home of a painting to commemorate the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. [Image from Pennsylvania Railroad to the Columbian Exposition (Pennsylvania Railroad Co., 1892).] U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., February 24, 1890 “CHICAGO WINS,” headlines read across the country the next morning. The Midwest metropolis won the bid to host the upcoming World’s Fair on the eighth vote in the House of Representatives. After a six-hour battle on February 24, 1890, the [...]

By Scott|2025-08-18T09:14:31-05:00September 18th, 2025|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Adlai Stevenson, Bertha Palmer, Columbian Guard, Dewitt Cregier, Duke of Veragua, Frances E Willard, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, James W. Ellsworth, Kenyon Cox, Potter Palmer, Princess Eulalia, William E Curtis|0 Comments

Giving Thanks Before the 1893 World’s Fair Opens
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Giving Thanks Before the 1893 World’s Fair Opens

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Giving Thanks Before the 1893 World’s Fair Opens

On Thanksgiving 1892, Chicago was gearing up for the World’s Columbian Exposition, having just held the grand Dedication Day ceremonies on October 21 and the Inaugural Reception ball two days before that. Both events had showed that Chicago was ready to host the World’s Fair the following spring. What were these ten prominent Chicagoans thankful for? In this cartoon for the Chicago Inter Ocean Illustrated Supplement, artist Art Young attempts to take a guess their inner thoughts. George R. [...]

By Scott|2024-11-28T09:23:28-06:00November 28th, 2024|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Anthony F. Seeberger, Art Young, Eugene Field, George R. Davis, Harlow Higinbotham, Hempstead Washburne, Moses P. Handy, Robert A. Waller, Thomas W. Palmer, Victor Lawson|0 Comments

Seizing Russian Assets at the 1893 World’s Fair
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Seizing Russian Assets at the 1893 World’s Fair

HISTORY

Seizing Russian Assets at the 1893 World’s Fair

Arriving unannounced and dressed in civilian clothing, United States government officials attempted to seize Russian assets in Chicago. In retaliation of the invasion, the Russians abruptly withdrew from a major international alliance. The year was 1893. The World’s Columbian Exposition was a trade show on a colossal scale. Foreign countries and businesses sent to the World's Fair in Chicago an enormous quantity of goods to display in the great halls of the White City. Though ostensibly exhibits, many of [...]

By Scott|2022-03-12T07:08:10-06:00March 12th, 2022|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: George R. Davis, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Russia|1 Comment

Chicago’s Alligator Problems
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Chicago’s Alligator Problems

HISTORY, NEWS

Chicago’s Alligator Problems

“One day spent among the curious works of nature found in the Fish and Fisheries building was worth a whole year’s reading about them.” -- “Exposition as an Educator” in Campbell's Illustrated History of the World's Columbian Exposition. A new resident to a Chicago city park has been (occasionally) making waves and making international news. An alligator spotted earlier this week swimming the lagoon of Humboldt Park is now drawing large crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of the [...]

By Scott|2022-03-05T10:33:55-06:00July 12th, 2019|Categories: HISTORY, NEWS|Tags: Fisheries Building, George R. Davis, Joseph W. Collins, William S. MacHarg|0 Comments

“A city of ivory palaces, embodying architectural dreams.” George R. Davis introduces the 1893 World’s Fair
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“A city of ivory palaces, embodying architectural dreams.” George R. Davis introduces the 1893 World’s Fair

REPRINTS

“A city of ivory palaces, embodying architectural dreams.” George R. Davis introduces the 1893 World’s Fair

Today marks the anniversary of the birth on January 3, 1840, of George R. Davis, Director-General of the World’s Columbian Exposition. The article below by comes from The World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 by Trumbull White and William Igleheart. J. W. Ziegler, 1893. _________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION By Col. George R. Davis, Director-General of the Exposition. When the gates of the World's Columbian Exposition have been finally closed it will be time enough to impress its lessons upon the world. To [...]

By Scott|2019-01-03T20:34:55-06:00January 3rd, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: George R. Davis|1 Comment

Pushing for a Labor Strike at the Fair
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Pushing for a Labor Strike at the Fair

REPRINTS

Pushing for a Labor Strike at the Fair

The American labor movement and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition share an intertwined history. Labor Day became an official U.S. federal holiday in 1894. The official histories of the World’s Fair rarely recognize the back-breaking labor of the working class and largely immigrant labor force that carved the lagoon, constructed the White City, operated the concessions. The following article from the August 16, 1893 issue of the Chicago Inter Ocean, describes one instance of labor unrest at the Fair [...]

By Scott|2018-09-02T11:21:38-05:00September 3rd, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: George R. Davis, Harlow Higinbotham, labor, rolling chairs|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds
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Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds

Tour of the Fairgrounds This is Part 12 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. After the “Banquet of Nations” luncheon, President Cleveland and his entourage embarked on a whirlwind tour of the Columbian Exposition grounds and buildings. They departed from the north entrance of the Administration Building where carriages were waiting. “President Cleveland [...]

Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations
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Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations

The Banquet of Nations This is Part 11 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. Pushing the button that launched the great transformation scene to open the 1893 World’s Fair was not the end of the duties of the President of the United States on May 1. Escorted to the café Hardly had the Opening [...]

By Scott|2019-08-17T12:11:22-05:00May 2nd, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Bertha Palmer, Buffalo Bill, Chief No Neck, Duke of Veragua, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, John Burke, May 1, Thomas W. Palmer|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address
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Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address

President Grover Cleveland's Address This is Part 9 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. Scarcely had Director-General George R. Davis finished his address, when President Cleveland slowly arose from his seat. He swept his eyes first over the occupants of the platform and then over one of the greatest audiences that ever a man [...]

By Scott|2018-04-29T08:49:56-05:00April 30th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, May 1|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis
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Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis

The Address by Director-General Davis This is Part 8 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. The dignitaries on the platform for the Opening Ceremonies. [Image from the Ryerson and Burnham Archives.] As conductor Thomas laid down his ebony baton following the performance the "Rienzi" overture by the Exposition Orchestra, Director-General George R. Davis [...]

By Scott|2018-04-29T07:11:07-05:00April 29th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Bertha Palmer, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, May 1, Thomas W. Palmer|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 6: Reading of “The Prophecy”
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Opening Day, Part 6: Reading of “The Prophecy”

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 6: Reading of “The Prophecy”

Reading of “The Prophecy” This is Part 6 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. At the conclusion of Reverend Milburn’s invocation, General-Director George R. Davis again commanded the attention of the crowd and announced the third number on the program. "I introduce to you Miss Jessie Couthoui, who will read the poem." With faultless [...]

By Scott|2018-04-25T20:23:28-05:00April 27th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Christopher Columbus, Columbian Ode, George R. Davis, Harriet Monroe, Jessie Couthoui, The Prophecy, Thomas Edison, William A. Croffut|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 5: Invocation by the Blind Chaplain
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Opening Day, Part 5: Invocation by the Blind Chaplain

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 5: Invocation by the Blind Chaplain

Invocation by the Blind Chaplain This is Part 5 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. At the conclusion of the performance of the “Columbian March” by the Exposition Orchestra, Director-General George R. Davis approached the front of the platform. He lifted his hand and commanded silence from the vast audience, to which there was [...]

By Scott|2018-04-26T06:09:32-05:00April 26th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Duke of Veragua, George R. Davis, May 1, William H. Milburn|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity
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Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

A Sea of Humanity This is Part 3 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. As the procession of the President of the United States began its march south on Michigan Avenue, thousands of people in downtown Chicago began forming their own spontaneous parade to the World’s Fair. Everyone on West Madison Street and North [...]

Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds
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Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds

Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds This is Part 2 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. Finely decorated with flags and bunting The Auditorium Building, where the Duke of Vergua stayed. [Image from the Rijksmueum, Amsterdam.] On the morning of Opening Day of the 1893 World’s Fair, the center of attraction in downtown Chicago [...]

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Administration Building (p. 42)
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Administration Building (p. 42)

REPRINTS

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: Administration Building, George R. Davis, Grand Basin, Harlow Higinbotham, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR|0 Comments

Grover Cleveland’s Columbian Exposition Keepsake
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Grover Cleveland’s Columbian Exposition Keepsake

REPRINTS

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: George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Official Catalogue, Opening Day|0 Comments

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS (pp. 1-2)
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS (pp. 1-2)

REPRINTS

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS (pp. 1-2)

My reading copy of PICTURESQUE WORLD'S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS has a broken binding and many ripped and tattered pages. In order to preserve the images and text for further enjoyment, I have decided to scan and post the images with captions. I'll do my best to remove any folds, foxing, rips and tears, fading and damage that has occurred in the past 124 years and upload them over the next few months. Please comment or email us [...]

By Randy|2017-12-06T08:15:13-06:00December 6th, 2017|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: color lithograph, George R. Davis, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR|3 Comments

Remembering George R. Davis, Director-General of the Fair
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Remembering George R. Davis, Director-General of the Fair

HISTORY

Remembering George R. Davis, Director-General of the Fair

On November 25, 1899, George R. Davis died in Chicago. He served as the Director-General of the 1893 World’s Fair. This short biographic sketch of Davis appears in "My Country, Tis of Thee !" or, the United States of America; Past, Present and Future by Willis Fletcher Johnson and John Habberton, (John Y. Huber Company, 1892): A portrait of George R. Davis from Picturesque World's Fair (W. B. Conkey, 1894) The Director-General of the Exhibition, its chief [...]

By Scott|2018-07-07T12:13:41-05:00November 25th, 2017|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Agricultural Building, construction, George R. Davis, Jackson Park, lagoon, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building|2 Comments