Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-12-07
TIE LAST OF THE CENTEN
NAL.

The largest building in the world i,
in process Of demolition. Workmen
have at last commenced the dismant
ling Of the Main Centennial Building
an absurd designation, apparently first
made through chance memorandum
or similar accident, and curioasly never
improved upon, and in few weeks
nothing will be left of what was the
most impressive feature of the great
Exhibition. II is not improper to
speak Of this change as involving the
last of the Centennial specialles, for
while Memorial and Horticultural Halls
will remain, they are fixtures Of a
special kind, intended for permanence
and so measurably removed from Cen.
tennial traditions, as well as devoted
to uses which do not of necessity re.
call memories af the Exposition. The
Main Building is the last to 90 OF the
structures which were erected only for
the occasion, and while it has stood
longer than there was any idea in the
beginning would be the case it is not
possible to escape regret that its re-
moval should be unavoidable. 1t 30
perfectly fulfilled the purpose of its
erection, it had such place in the
most memorable period in tho lives of
such mnltitudes of people, that the dis
mantling Of its twenty acres is not
only an unprecedented circumstance,
but n searching reminder Of exhilara.
ting days and sights such as few who
now live can expect ever to enjoy again
The Permanent Exhibition idea was
long ago seen to be impracticable, and
the wonder is that the Main Building
has stood this long, As far as the
iron work is concerned, it has had n
fairly long "hfe," but for the rest of il,
and not being intended for pcrmanencc,
thousands of dollars yearly would be
required for repairs tit had sufficient
Easements, if its wood work was of
more substantial kind, and if it stood
in place more accessible to the body
OF the city population, especial sacri.
fees for It's retention might be justified.
But under all the conditions nothing
moro could be done, distastcful as the
idea is of losing SO unique bnilding,
one softtingfo various public demon.
strations, and whose proportions, or the
half Of them, It's useless to oexpect to see
duplicated. 1t is realized now, that il
was a mistake TO order the demolition
of Machinery Hall. The location Of
that fine building was such that it did
not cucumber the Park, its size was
not too great and it was substantially
built. With moderate outlays for re-.
pairs it could have stood for genera.
ton and have been of immense public
service But the error was made and be
cause it was an error the retention Of
the Main Building is not made any
more practicable. The removal of this
last great relic WILL for time at least,
make q great difference in the popular
movement towards that portion of the
Park. How far the city railway service
to that point may be affected by the
change is yet to be determined, and
Memorial Hall and its fine museum
will seem farther away than ever. On
the other hasd, the Pennsylvania Rail.
road, with tho operation of tho Filbert
street extension, will have station on
the ground, which will serve to enliven
tn G locality, even if tho horse cars do
not longer find profit in making regu.
lar trips to Elm avenue Philadelphia
Telegraph.