The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-31
Progress of the Grand Centennial Ex-
hibitiOn Building.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
International Cooperation and List Of
Commissioners.
PROMISING PROSPECTS OF SUCCESS.

PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 81, 1875
ON the Fourth OF July 1874, the nrst spade
full Of dirt was cast up from the fnture
soundatlon OF the great Centennial build
AM His Bonor Mayor Stogley. being the
marty who broke the sod. The ceremonies upon
tae occasion were OF a very impressive order and
hundreds OF people assembled on the spot where
IA 1915 are 70 be exhibited the choicest mechanical
artistic literary and scientific products OF the co.
tire civilized world.
THEN AND NOW.
Al this time the vast area OF territory IN Fair
mount Park set aside by the highest officials OF
our national government as the LOCALITY most de-
sirable for the becoming celebration OF our one
hundredth birthday, though naturally presenting
Q superb outlook, was but little else than .
blooming waste OF landscape, showing only those
features characteristic OF IL since the Hood. But
now how great the change. Only a few months
have elapsed since the shovel penetrated the turf
but where before was empty noshingness the wish
tor witnesses the gradual uprising OF turrets and
towers, graced with those superb architectural
adornments calculated TO render them when COM
pleted the pedestals OF one OF the haDdsomest
structures ever reared. Hundreds and thousands
Of workmen, shaping the stones in the quarries,
piling up brick upon brick, fashoning the iron and
carving in thousand graceful forms and shapes
the pillars and cornices. even at tins early hour
have given us an insight TO their future achieve
ments and enabled Us grasp some IDEA OF the ex-
tent and beauty OF their work when the last stone
shall have been laid. To any one familiar with the
Centennial grounds few months ago the extraor-
binary change OF the interior seems TO be more
than human hands could have wrought, and APP
pears rather like the efforts OF the genn OF
the ancient Arsbians, for the art gallery OF the
structure has gone up almost as rapidly as the
tabled castle OF Aladdin.
THE ART GALLERY.
The building devoted to the EXHIBITS OF the dier-
eBt arts Is being pushed rapidly forward, and is
entirely pald for by appropriations received from
the State. It will be the great architectural
triumph OF the occasion. and Will remain as per-
manent memorial OF the exposition. Its architec-
sure IL modern renaissance, the materials used in
IT'S construction being granite, iron aud glass. No
wood II used in its make up, and hence in the
fullest sense OF the word the building Is freprooi
THE PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE.
The main Exhibition building IS located imme-
diAtely east of the intersection OF Belmont and
Elm avenues, on the Landsdowne plateau. 1t VIII
stand 170fee back from the north side OF Elm ave-
nue. the area between the building and fbe ave.
niue being used Tor special products, which may be
exhbIsed In the open air. There VIII also be
tne art gallery on the north side which VIII be or
namentally treated as ground for special purposes
The building is In the iorm OF psr,a s
north and south AGA feet IN width
The larger portion OF the structure is one story
in height, and shows the main cornlce upon the
outside at IS feet above the ground, the interior
height being 70 feet. Al the centre OF the longer
sides projections 4l6 feet In length and IN the
centre of The shorter sides or ends OF the build
ing are projections 216 eet IN length. In these
projections, IN the centre OF the Jour sides are 10.
Gated the main entrances, winch are provided
with arcades upon the ground moor ana central
facades extending to the height OF 80 Ieet.
The east entrance Will form the principal ap-
proach for carriages, visitors being allowed TO
Alght a. the doors oil the building under cover OF
the Arcade.
The south entrance will be the principal APP
prOach rom street cars the ticket Offices being
ways provided Tor entrance into the building
itself
The main portal on the north side communicates
directly with the Art Gallery, and the main portal
on the west SIDE gives the main passage way 10
the machinery and Agricultural halls
Upon the corners OF the building there are
four towers rs feet In height, and between the
towers ana the central projections or entrances
there ID lower roof introduced, showing q
cornice at "a feet above the ground.
In order to obtain central feature for the
building az a whole tne roof over the central part
for 1874 feet square has raised above the sur
rounding portion, and iour towers, ~ eet square,
YlsIng 70 120 eet IN height have been Introduced
NJ the corners of the elevated roof.
The areas covered are as follows
Sguare Fret /res
Ground floor 672,E0 2JU2
Upper floors in projec tons 8,4t .o5
Dper floors Ia toW 344
Total .............-....... l47
GROUND PLAN.
The general Arrangement OF the ground plan