Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-03
Broad Walks and Graveled Drives,
Beautiful Lakes, Rustic Bridges
and Playing Fountains.
The Splendid Railway Facilities OF CO.
lumbus. With Network OF Pas
senger and Freight
Lines Tapping Every Corner of the
Wonderful State Whose Centen-
NAL Is Celebrated.

Ohio centennial exposition of 1888,
opening September 4 and continuing
until October 10, is situated only two
miles north of the Capitol building, and
is accessible by horse and electric car
lines, two separate lines of steam cars
running directly to the gates and by
many pleasant streets and avenues.
The improvements already made upon
the grounds place them among the first
in the United States for exposition pur-
poses, and when the buildings and
other improvements yet to be
added for the centennial are
completed there will be nothing
wanting to make them the very finest
and best in general arrangement and
equipment for the grandest exposition
purposes.
Entering tho park through the large
brick archways at the northeast or
Woodward avenue entrance, one is i'm
mediately impressed with the beauty,
grandeur and variety of the landscape
gardening. Broad drives and gravel
walks lead to the right and left, while
Just beyond the intersection of these
drives is a large artificial lake, dotted
with islands upon which grow beautiful
shrubbery and water plants. This lake
is constructed with great care and adds
much to the beauty of this part of the
grounds. The main drive to the right
winds among rows Of beautiful trees
and well-arranged flower beds across the
grounds to the machinery department,
in the center of which is constructed
large power hall, fitted up with shaft
ing and pulleys of all sizes and dimen-
sions. Attached to the hall is an en-
CINE and boiler-room, with steam, en-
CINE and boiler sufficient to supply all
necessary power for running the ma
chinery exhibited in the build
ing. On the north and south
sides of Power hall have
been erected about twenty private ex-
hibition buildings, of neat and tasty de-
sign, that add greatly to the importance
of the department, and furnish owners
with excellent facilities for advantage
ously showing their particular manu-
features.
East of the machinery department is
still another large artificial lake, the neck
OF the lake being on the main drive and
crossed by large rustic bridge sur
mounting the most natural and pict-
uresque-looking rock-work. The islands
and banks of this lake are dotted with
beautiful willows and ornamental
shrubbery. North of the lake is located
a large, fancy, open building for the ex-
hibition OF poultry and pet stock. 1t is
built in the form of Maltese cross, and
arranged with broad aisles through the
center of each wing. Passing on around
to the left is approached the horse
barns, said to be the most convenient
and complete in the United States.
There are twenty-four buildings, each
containing eighteen large, well-ventilated
stalls, thus atfording capacity for nearly
500 head of horses. These barns encir-
Gle on the outer side of broad, WE'LL
made drive, the exhibition or speed
ring, which is constructed according to
correct principles and is eighty feet wide
on the back stretches, with a home
stretch of 100 feet wide. Facing the
track across and opposite the stables is
well-built, substantial grand stand,
with seating capacity for 5000 people.
This immense building has many ad-
vantages over similar structures. The
seats are arranged in such manner that
every occupant has full view of the
track and home stretch, and need not
rise in their seats to get
complete view of the horses
coming IN on the home stretch.
The first tier of seats is fifteen feet
above the grounds. The means of
entrance and exit are commodious and
safe.
Going back to the main WtNd~ard
avenue entrance and taking the road
leading to the left, is passed the treas
urer's office and the grand railway en-
trance. Outside this entrance is the
passenger depot, where people are
landed from the trains that arrive
every few minutes over the double
tracks from the city passenger depot.
Passing the treasurer's Office the first
buildings along the main
drive are those for cattle, sheep and
swine. These are well constructed,
airy buildings of handsome design and
very unlike the ordinary stalls found on
exhibition grounds. The buildings are
laid off and located along streets, and
ample passageways have been allowed
between each building. There is stall
accommodation for some fifteen hun
bred head. In front and south of the
cattle buildings is located the large
arranged with seats for
the people and show RUG in the CEN
ter. This structure will accommodate
a great number of people.
About the center of the park and be-
tween the roads leading to the right and
left, is located the central exposition
buildings, consisting of one grand GEN.
trail building and two annexes. The
central building is provided with a
gallery around the entire structure,
overlooking the vast exhibition spaces
below. These buildings are of brick
and stone, with slate roof, and are
therefore of the most substantial char
acter. In different portions of the
grounds have been constructed rock
work, fountains and odd rustic work
that add greatly to the beauty of the
general surroundings and give the park
a most natural and inviting appear
ance.
The buildings and improvements
pleted. but MANY more buildings will |
be constructed and such other improve
ments TO the park made as will make |
the whole amply sufficient 10 accom- |
modate the large exhibits to be brought |
oUO II the cenienUldi ana TIE crOWQS OF /
people who will daily visit the grounds. |
Everything will be ready and in smooth |
running order for the opening day, Sep |
TENDER /, 1883, when Ohio will distin-
gulsh herself in welcoming her citizens
from all parts and the people from |
other states TO the celebration of the |
anniversary of the settle |
ment OF the Northwest territory.
Horticulture.