Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-12

which have been designed to house the
various exhibits have been termed palaces,
o title which their magnificent proper
tions and artistic lines have fully earned.
1t is doubtful if such an aggregation Of
palatial structures has ever been gathered
together within such a compass. Seven
stupendous buildings, any one of which
will cover more ground than the national
Capitol at Washington, monuments alike
to the genius Of the architects as well as
the progress Of national architecture, fit
ting temples in which to celebrate the an
niversary of an event OF une4ualed i'm
portance in the history of the western
continent--such will be the Worlds Fair
edifices at Chicago in 1888
The birdseye view herewith presented
gives fair idea of what the Exposition
will look like. The grouping of the build
ings, which was the work of Mr.. John w.
Root, consulting architect Of the board,
has been pronounced perfect.
Ex-President Gage, in his annual address
to the shareholders of the Illinois corpora
ton, thus referred to the general layout of
the fair grounds and buildings:
BY reason of the greater picturesqueness
of lake shore site, and the superior aces
sibility of Jackson Park, both by water
and land, and for the additional reason
that, being now for the most part unim-
proved, it is more readily adaptable to our
purposes, Jackson Park has been chosen
as the principal site of the fair.
The eighty acres at the north which are
now laid out and under cultivation form
but small fraction of the entire area of this
park, which extends mile farther south,
broadening constantly along tho curv@
ing shore of the lake. In this unimproyed
portion, much of which is thickly wooded
with native trees. the ground is being pre-
pared for system of lagoons and canals
from 100 to 800 feet wide which, with the
broad, grassy terraces leading down to
them, will pass the principal buildings, in
close wooded island 1,s00 feet long, and
form a circuit of three miles navigable by
pleasure boats.
These canals, which will be crossed by
many bridges, will connect with the lake
at two points, one at the southern limit of
the present improved portion of the park,
and the other more than half a mile farther
south, at the great main court of the Expo
sition. At this point, extending eastward
into the lake 200 feet, will be piers
which will afford landing place for the
lake steamers, and inclose harbor for the
picturesque little pleasure boats Of all
epochs and nations which will carry pas
sengers along the canals. stopping at nu-
merous landing places.
This harbor will be bounded on the east,
far out in the lake, by the long columned
facade of the Casino, in whose free spaces
crowds of men and women, protected by
its ceiling of gay awnings, can look east to
the lake and west to the long vista between
the main edifices, as far as the gilded dome
of the Administration Building. The first
notable object in this vista will be the CO.
lossal Statue of Liberty rising out Of the la
COON at the point where it enters the land,
protected by noles which will carry sculpt-
ured columns emblematic of the thirteen
original states of our Union.
The main building. extending northwest
ward third of mile, will be devoted to
manufactures and liberal arts, and will re-
ceive from all nations the rich products of
modern workmanship. Recalling archi-
tecturally the period Of the classic revival,
it has the vivacity, the emphatic joyous
ness of that awakening epoch. The long,
low lines of its sloping roof, supported by
rows of arches, will be relieved by a cen
trail dome over the great main entrance,
and emblematic statuary and floating BAN
ners will add to its festive character. The
north elevation of the classic edifice devoted
to agriculture will show a long arcade be-
hind Corinthian columns, supporting a Sc
ries of triple arches and three low graceful
domes.
The lofty octagonal dome of the Admin
istration Building forms the central point
of the architectural scheme. Rising from
the columned stories of its square base $50
feet into the air. it will stand in the center
Of spacious open plaza, adorned with
statuary and fountains. with flower beds
and terraces, sloping mt the east. down to
the main lagoon. North of the plaza will
he the two buildings devoted to Mines and
Electricity, the latter bris:ling with points
and pinnacles. as il to entrap from the air
the intangible elements whose achieve
ments it will display.
South of the plaza will be Machinery
Hall, with its power house at the south
east corner A subway at the west will
pass under the terminal railway loop of
the Illinois Central road to the circular
Machinery Annex within. North of this
railway loop. and along the western limit
of the park. will be the Transportation
Building. Still farther north, lying west
Of the north branch of the lagoon, will ex-
tend the long, shining surfaces and the
gracefully curving roof of the Crystal Pal
ace of Horticulture.
Following the lagoon northward one
will pass the Women's Building, and east
ward will reach the island devoted to the
novel and interesting Fisheries Exhibit,
shown in an effective, low rooted Roman
esque structure, fianked by two vast circu-
lar aquaria. in which the spectator can look
upward through clear waters and study
the creatures of ocean and river. This
building will be directly west of the north
ern opening of the system of lagoons into
Lake Michigan, and in straight line with
the Government Building and the Main
Building, which extend along the lake
shore to the southeast.
North Of the lagoon which bounds this