Visitor's Guide 3

visitor’s guide

to the

world’s

Columbian Exposition

in the city of Chicago, state of Illinois,

may 1 to october 26, 1893.

BY AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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COMPILED BY PETER NEPSTAD

FROM THE ORIGINAL BY JOHN J. FLINN

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issued under authority of the world’s columbian exposition

[ HAND BOOK EDITION. ]

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CHICAGO

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Table of Contents

Visitor’s Guide ....................................... 3Table of Contents ..................................... 4Introductory .......................................... 5Ten Suggestions for Visitors .......................... 6The Main Exposition Buildings ......................... 8 Administration Building ............................. 9 Agriculture Building ............................... 10 Art Palace ......................................... 11 Electricity Building ............................... 12 Fisheries Building ................................. 13 Horticulture Building .............................. 14 Machinery Hall ..................................... 15 Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building ............. 16 Hall of Mines and Mining ........................... 17 Transportation Building ............................ 18 U.S. Government Building ........................... 19 Woman's Building ................................... 20Sculpture on the Grounds ............................. 21 The Columbia Fountain .............................. 21 The Statue of the "Republic" ....................... 22 The Columbian Quadriga ............................. 22The Midway ........................................... 24

General Exposition Information ....................... 26

Visitor's Guide 5

IntroductoryThe first duty of the visitor who is desirous ofobtaining the best possible results from a visit to theWorld’s Columbian Exposition, be his time brief orunlimited, is carefully to study the accompanying map.This is an absolute necessity to one who would nottravel aimlessly over the grounds and who has a purposebeyond that of a mere curiosity hunter. It is presumedat the outset that the great majority of visitors arethose who seek to enlighten themselves regarding theprogress which the world has made in the arts, sciences,and industries. To him who enters upon an examination ofthe external and internal exhibit of this the greatestof all World’s Fairs a liberal education is assured. Itis the aim of this volume to aid in such endeavor – toclear the way of obstacles – to make the pathway broadand pleasant. It has not been attempted to point out or to describeeverything within the World’s Fair grounds. Such anattempt of necessity would prove futile. The visitorwill find ample directions on all sides, nor will hesuffer for want of information of a general or of aspecific nature. Directing signs and placards will befound on the grounds as well as within the buildings.The employees of the Exposition are instructed to answerpertinent questions, promptly and civilly. Guides may beemployed by the hour or by the day. The Columbian Guard,acting as a semi-military police force, provides againstunusual or uncomfortable blockades. The Visitor’s Guide is an adjunct to all of the otherwise provisions made by the Exposition management, andwith proper regard for the suggestions it makes, and theinformation it contains, the visitor cannot fail, it ishoped, in obtaining comprehensive and satisfactory

results.

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Ten Suggestions for Visitors1. Before leaving home arrange for lodgings either byaddressing the “Bureau of Public Comfort, Jackson Park,Chicago, Ills.,” or through information from friends orfrom hotels mentioned in this guide.

2. As there are accommodations for feeding 60,000persons per hour within the Exposition grounds, andhundreds of thousands outside the grounds, it will befound, as a rule, more convenient and economical not toinclude board in advance arrangements. Meals may be hadat time and place as desired at cost from twenty-fivecents upward.

3. The visitor would be wise not to attempt to see theentire fair in a single day. Indeed, the Manufacturesand Liberal Arts Building alone could take up a singleday or more by itself, if the visitor is sufficientlyinterested. Use the map to plan what area of the groundsto visit each day. A typical five-day itinerary mightinclude two days for the Court of Honor, one day for theSouthern Court, one day for the Northern, and one dayfor the Midway.

4. Jackson Park, the site of the Exposition, is aboutseven miles from the down-town railway depots and may bereached by street car or elevated railway for 5 cents;by Illinois Central railroad, round trip, 20 cents; orby steamboat from foot of Van Buren street, round trip,25 cents.

5. The State Buildings can serve as a clubhouse forvisitors from that state, wherein you can find friendlyadvice, gain information about other exhibits presentedby your state throughout the fair, and meet friends andfamily from your state who are visiting the fair at thesame time.

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6. Many exhibits in the Agriculture Building hand outfree food samples during lunchtime.

7. There is a newspaper printed on the grounds, the"Daily Columbian." It is eight pages in length,consisting of the first pages of the Times, Tribune,Inter Ocean, Herald and Record. The other three pagescontain official orders, programs, prices oftransportation, daily events, classified ads, andnotices.

8. An abundance of drinking water is supplied free ofcost. "Hygeia" Waukesha water may be had at 1 cent perglass.

9. Admission tickets may be had at 22 ticket booths inthe business portion of Chicago, aside from the boothsat the Exposition grounds.

10. Admission to Exposition, 50 cents. Children undersix years of age free. Ticket admits to every attractionon the grounds, excepting the Esquimaux and CliffDwellers' exhibits. Midway Plaisance attractions are notpart of the World's Columbian Exposition. Consult theBureau of Public Comfort on the grounds in relation toall matters; advice and assistance will be givencheerfully and without charge.

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The Main Exposition BuildingsThese structures cover twice the area and representtwice the cost of those of the Paris Exposition of 1889.The plans were prepared by the best architects inAmerica, and several structures exhibit the highestachievements of American architecture. The work ofconstruction was from the first to close under thegeneral supervision of Director of Works, Daniel H.Burnham, and to him, perhaps, more than to any other oneman is due the daring conception of the whole and thegeneral harmony of design.

Inside, they house exhibits from more nations than everbefore assembled in one location. Seventeen thousandhorse power for electric lighting is provided. This isthree times the electric lighting power in use inChicago. There is 9,000 horse power for incandescentlights, 5,000 for arc lights, and 3,000 for machinerypower.

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Administration Building

This magnificent structure may be seen from almost anypoint within the Exposition grounds. It has justly beenpronounced the gem of all the architectural jewels ofthe Exposition. It occupies the most commanding positionon the Exposition grounds, overlooking the Grand Basinwhich stretches between the facades of the Manufacturesand Agricultural buildings, under the Peristyle to thelake. The building holds a number of offices andservices, including the Columbian Guardsmanheadquarters, the Daily Columbian newspaper offices, abranch of the Northern Trust bank, and the Telegraphoffice. Architect: Robert M. Hunt.

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Agriculture Building

The Agriculture Building is in many ways one of the mostmagnificent and striking structures of the Exposition.It stands very near the shore of Lake Michigan, facingthe Grand Basin. For a single story building the designis bold and heroic. On either side of the main entranceare mammoth Corinthian pillars, 50 feet high and fivefeet in diameter. The Exposition has focused the bestresults, the thought, the intelligence, the discoveries,and the energy of the agricultural interest and itsallied industries within this building. Architects:McKim, Mead, & White.

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Art Palace

Of all the ambitious structures of the Fair this onealone may be said to have escaped the assaults of eventhe hypercritical. The building is oblong, intersectednorth and south, east and west, by a great nave andtransept 100 feet wide and 70 feet high, at theintersection of which is a dome 60 feet in diameter,which is surmounted by a colossal-winged figure ofvictory. Inside, sculpture is displayed upon the mainfloors of the naves and transepts, and on the walls ofthe ground floors and in both the galleries aredisplayed paintings and panels in bas-relief. Never hasthere been so comprehensive and brilliant a showing ofmodern works of art as is here assembled. Going in ateither of the four entrances the visitor finds himselfin a broad gallery which runs straight through to theopposite end. Here is placed all the sculpture of theExposition, without attempt at arrangement according tonationality or chronology, but simply displaying eachpiece to the best advantage. Architect: Charles B.Atwood.

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Electricity Building

Here are located the most novel and brilliant exhibitsof the Exposition. The south front is on the greatQuadrangle or Court of Honor; the north front faces thelagoon. For the first time in the history ofInternational Expositions, a great structure has beenset aside for electrical exhibits. Many of the exhibitsare illustrations of the commercial and economic uses ofelectricity, and shows the latest inventions forcreating the three great economic commodities -- light,heat, and power. The exhibitors here are all privatecorporations or firms, and in most cases, they arevigorous commercial rivals. Within the walls of thebuilding, special demonstrations and experiments aremade for the benefit of the visitor. Among the mostunique exhibits is the new kinetograph, which transmitsscenes to the eye as well as sounds to the ear. Theinventor Edison was granted a concession to make aspecial exhibit of this invention. Architects: Van Brunt& Howe.

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Fisheries Building

This structure has been pronounced an architecturalpoem. Situated on the eastern side of the large islandnorth of the Wooded Island in the lagoon, its mainfacade faces to the southeast, being directly oppositethe Government building, from which it is separated by abroad arm of the lagoon. It is in three parts, a mainbuilding 365 feet long and 165 feet wide, and twopolygonal buildings each 133 feet 6 inches in diameter,connected with the main structure by two curved arcades.Everything that science has rescued from the depths ofthe ocean, sea, lake, or river, is displayed here.Probably the most interesting portion of the exhibit tothe general public is the aquarial or live fishdisplays, contained in the circular buildings. They makea panorama never before seen in any exposition, andrival the great permanent aquariums of the world notonly in size, but in variety of specimens. Architect:Henry Ives Cobb.

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Horticulture Building

While in almost every part of the grounds may be seenevidences of the efficient work of this department, andof its companion department, that of Floriculture, thecentral point of interest will naturally be in andaround the Horticultural building itself. The plan ofthe principal structure is central with two endpavilions, each connected with a center pavilion byfront and rear curtains. The central pavilion is roofedby a crystal dome, 187 feet in diameter and 113 feethigh. From the middle of the space below the dome risesan immense pyramid of shrubbery. Splendid palms, fernsin vast variety and luxuriant specimens from the floraof almost every clime carry this miniature mountain wellup into the dome, while giant bamboos planted at itsbase tower high above the gallery, and may overtop themountain before the close of the fair. Architect: W. L.B. Jenney.

Visitor's Guide 15

Machinery Hall

This building, known familiarly as The Palace ofMechanical Arts because of its palatial design anddimensions, is 846 feet long by 482 feet wide, notincluding the Annex. The design follows classical modelsthroughout, the details having been fashioned from therenaissance of Seville and other Spanish towns as beingappropriate to a Columbian celebration. Attached to thisgreat building is the Power House, convenient to thetracks for coal and other supplies, and containing animmense display of boilers, while in the ajoiningportion of the Annex is established an enormous plant ofengines and dynamos. To tell of all the many exhibits inMachinery Hall would require a large volume. There aremachines for sewing wood and leather with wire thread,machines for measuring and weighing coffee, for makinghooks and eyes, steel fence posts, chains, matches,sections of telegraph poles, and many more. Architects:Messrs. Peabody & Stearns.

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Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building

The greatest structure on the Exposition grounds and thelargest building of its kind ever erected, its lengthbeing 1,687 feet, and its width 787 feet. It is notablefor the symmetry of its proportions as for its immensesize. The floor alone consumed over 3,000,000 feet oflumber, and five carloads of nails. To say that thisgiant structure contains forty-four acres of floor spacegives but a faint idea of its immensity. One thousandcottages, each 25 by 50 feet, could find room within itswalls. "Columbia Avenue," 50 feet wide, extends throughthe mammoth building longitudinally, and an avenue oflike width crosses it at right angles at the center. Itwould be impossible to describe the individual pavilionsor displays. In the center of the building is astructure which rises above all the others and whichmust attract general attention. It is a clock tower 120feet high, the clock face seven feet in diameter.Architect: George B. Post.

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Hall of Mines and Mining

Located at the southern extremity of the lagoon, andbetween the Electricity and Transportation buildings,the Mines building has a length of 700 feet and a widthof 350 feet. Its architecture has its inspiration inearly Italian renaissance, with which sufficient libertyis taken to invest the building with the animation thatshould characterize a great general exposition. In noother department of the World's Columbian Exposition,perhaps, is seen a greater diversity of exhibits than inthat of Mines and Mining. A dazzling display ofdiamonds, opals, emeralds, and other gems, and of theprecious metals, has for its setting a most extensivecollection of iron, copper, lead, and other ores, and oftheir products, of coal, granite, marble, sandstone; ofsoils, salt, petroleum, and, indeed, of everythinguseful or beautiful in the mineral kingdom. Architect:S.S. Beman.

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Transportation Building

The leading architectural characteristics of thisbuilding disclose simplicity of design, harmoniousstructural effects and dignity of proportion, relievedby richly ornate details. The grand portal on the eastfront, facing the lagoon, consists of a series ofreceding arches entirely overlaid with gold leaf. Thisdepartment fully presents the origin, growth, anddevelopment of the various methods of transportationused in all ages and in all parts of the world. As faras possible, the means and appliances of barbarous andsemi-civilized tribes are shown by specimen vehicles; ofwheeled vehicles from the first inception of the idea ofthe wheel, to their present seeming perfection; and ofthe greatest of all means of transportation -- therailway -- there are specimens of the engines andpassenger cars themselves. Architect: Adler & Sullivan.

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U.S. Government Building

This building is most attractively located. Itsarchitecture, the central figure of which is a hugedome, is classic and bears a strong resemblance to theNational museum and other government buildings atWashington and elsewhere. The building is devoted toexhibits from various government agencies, including thePostoffice Department, Treasury Department, Departmentof Agriculture, and the Smithsonian Institute.Architects: Windrim, succeeded by W.J. Edbrooke.

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Woman's Building

Woman has been from the first a most important factor inthe World's Columbian Exposition. The Act of Congresscreating the Exposition provided for a Board of LadyManagers, and in the administration of affairs, ladycommissioners have been actively at work in every Stateof the Union, and in every foreign country. The Woman'sbuilding is a great museum or exhibition of everythingthat woman in the past has contributed, or iscontributing toward the common stock of knowledge andmaterial progress. They show that women are capable, inalmost every department of human activity, of competingwith men. Architect: Sophia G. Hayden.

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Sculpture on the GroundsThroughout the grounds, the visitor finds himself in thecompany of sculptural pieces of acknowledged artisticmerit. Many of them are connected with the greatbuildings. Others, however, are to be found in the Stategroup, while others are met with upon bridges andviaducts, or among the trees, or on the Wooded Island.Native wild animals of America are illustrated insculpture by Edward Kemeys and A.P. Proctor, prominentamong them being a male and female puma, a buffalo cowand bull, a brown and black bear, a polar and grizzlybear, an elk, and a moose. Many of these are repeated.Three distinctive pieces of work, however, stand out inbold relief.

The Columbia Fountain

This beautiful creation, sometimes spoken of as theMacMonnies Fountain from the name of its sculptor, islocated directly in front of the AdministrationBuilding, at the western end of the Grand Basin whichforms a gateway of the Exposition, and around which islocated the group of buildings which form what is knownas the Court of Honor. The sculptor Frederick MacMonniesis an American by birth, and scarcely thirty years ofage. The central idea of the fountain is that of anapotheosis of modern liberty -- Columbia enthroned on atriumphal barge, guided by Time, heralded by Fame, androwed by eight standing figures, representing on oneside the Arts, and on the other Science, Industry,Agriculture, and Commerce. The barge is preceded byeight sea-horses, forming a circle directly in front andmounted by eight young men as outriders representingmodern commerce. The smallest figure is about twelvefeet in height, and the largest twenty feet. At night,the sculpture is illuminated by electricity, after the

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principle employed in the fountains in the Champ deMars.

The Statue of the "Republic"

Looking eastwardly from theMacMonnies fountain, the eyes ofthe visitor rest upon the greatstatue of the Republic, thelargest ever made in America,which faces the Administrationbuilding from the eastern end ofthe waterway. This figure issixty-five feet tall, is perfectin symmetry, and was designed byDaniel C. French of New York. Thearms and hands are upraisedtoward the head. In her righthand she holds a globe on whichan eagle rests with outspreadwings, the left hand grasping apole on top of which is a libertycap, the globe and eaglesymbolizing the invitation ofliberty to the nations of the

Earth. Between it and the Statue of Liberty which standsin New York harbor there is a striking resemblance.There is a stairway through the inside of the figure,and the man who attends to the electric lights in thediadem clambers up a ladder through the neck and outthrough a doorway in the crown of the head.

The Columbian Quadriga

This group, representing Columbus as he appeared in thetriumphal fete given in his honor on his return from hisfirst voyage, has for its central figure the great

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discoverer standing in a four-horse chariot, leaninglightly on a bejeweled admiral's sword. The figure,fourteen feet high, is poised firmly on its feet, thehead thrown back proudly as an indication of the daringdetermination of the bold navigator. The horses drawingthe chariot are led by women, whose attitude expressesstrength and energy. Their light drapery flies in thewind, and the mounted horses are prancing impatiently. Amounted herald on either side completes the group. D.C.French and E.C. Potter are the sculptors and designers.

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The MidwayThe Midway plaisance: the summer play-ground of nations,where all the serious business of life seems to be laidaside, and all peoples, tongues, nations, and languageshave assembled for a summer holiday. Some have said theMidway plaisance affords a grand opportunity forethnological study, and as being an equivalent forforeign travel -- a place where one can study thepeculiarities and customs of the various nationsrepresented, as if under their own vine and fig tree. Onthe other hand, some have spoken of the immoralities andvulgarities of this unique pleasure-ground. One shouldnot make the mistake of adopting either extreme ofopinion. The people of the Midway are typical only to acertain extent. They represent some phases of foreignlife, but it is life in its most whimsical aspect, andit would be as unfair to take them as representatives oftheir respective nations as to take Buffalo Bill's "WildWest" show as typical of American life.

The strip of land which holds this heterogeneouscollection of races is 600 feet broad and containseighty acres. It was formerly a popular shaded drivewayconnecting Jackson and Washington parks. Now it is thetemporary and peaceful abode of people who, centuriesago, had they chanced to meet, would have challengedeach other to mortal combat. Let us make a tour of thismotley world. Walking down the cosmopolitan avenue,jostled by men of every race, color, and creed, withquaint faces and quainter costumes, we are attractedfirst to a Javanese village.

The village consists of a picturesque collection oftwenty bamboo houses, set in the midst of tropical palmtrees. The strange and varying noises of the gong-orchestra invite the visitor to enter the theater, wherehe will be entertained with jugglery, dancing, fencing,

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wrestling, and snake-charming. The "wajang-wong" orJavanese dance consists of a succession of gracefulposes, forming a pantomime, which is part of acontinuous story.

Nearby, in the street of "Old Cairo," may be seen aperfect representation of the narrow roadway, andpicturesque architecture of the old Egyptian city, withits balconied houses and curious ornamentation of openwood-work. Many curiosities and antiquities are offeredfor sale in the bazaar. Hideous dances and exhibitionsof jugglery are carried on at almost every corner,accompanied by ear-torturing music. We are not sorry toleave Old Cairo, nor do we care to tarry along among thenatives of Algeria, where may be seen the shockingbrutalities of the torture dance, performed to thedeafening clang of symbols.

At last, we find ourselves in the shadow of thewonderful Ferris wheel, from the top of which, 260 feetabove terra-firma, we may view the counterfeitpresentment of "all the kingdoms of the world and theglory of them." Literally, we can see from this loftylook-out the whole of Jackson park, Chicago with itssuburbs, miles and miles of the blue expanse of LakeMichigan, the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, andIndiana, and far into the interior of Illinois.

Moving on, we find entertainment in watching themarvelous tricks and performances of Hagenbeck's trainedanimals. A visit to the Libbey and Venetian glass workscompletes our experiences on the plaisance. We leavebehind us without regret this fantastical conglomerationof strange people, with their antipodal customs, dressand amusements.

MARION SHAW,Special Correspondent for The Fargo Argus.

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General Exposition InformationBoats: The interior waterways of the grounds areequipped with speedy small boats for pleasure andtransportation purposes, driven by steam and electricpower. Every principal building on the grounds isreached by water, and there is an ornamental landing foreach. In the service is a fleet of 40 electric launches,with a capacity of 45 people each, known as "omnibusboats," making round trips of the waterways and touchingat each landing. A fleet of 50-foot steam launches plyin Lake Michigan, entering the grounds at the upper andlower inlets to the interior waterways. On the interiorwaterway also is a fleet of gondolas, manned bypicturesque Venetians. These boats may be hailed at anypoint for time service, similar to the street cab.

Patrol Launch: A patrol launch patrols the waters of theExposition as a life-preserving or precautionary device.

Intramural Railway: Trains on the Intramural Line travelbetween stations at a rate of about 12 miles per hour.The loops are south of the Convent of La Rabida, andover the lagoon north of the Fisheries Building. This isthe first elevated electric railway ever built anywhere.A complete circuit of the Exposition grounds may be madein twenty minutes.

Moveable Sidewalk: A mechanical contrivance whichcarries passengers from the steamship landing on thepier into the Casino. It is a continuous doubleplatform, half of which moves at the rate of three milesan hour, and the other half at the rate of six miles.All of the boats from the city land at the pier whichjuts beyond the peristyle, and twenty turnstyles for thesale of tickets of admission to the grounds are locatedhere.

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Pavilions: Numerous pavilions are scattered throughoutthe grounds, among the most notable being those east ofthe Manufactures Building, near the Peristyle. Thesepavilions were erected by concessionaires, among thembeing the VanHouten & Co., Walter Baker & Co., andothers.

Children's Building: Location, between Woman's andHorticultural buildings. Erected by contributions fromthe Exposition management, the States of the Union,foreign governments and private individuals. Generalplan beautiful though simple; two stories high, withroof as a playground. Everything likely to instruct oramuse children is found in this building. Children maybe left here by the hour or by the day in charge ofcareful nurses.