The state herald., 1891-09-18
WORLDS FAIR euILblhds.
Rapidly With Which the Work Is Be-
ing Carried Forward.

Rapidly With Which the Work ls Be-
ing Carried Forward.
II takes II fence six miles long to
enclose the world's Fair buildings. ALL
these structures are TO be Of extraordinary
Dimensions, but the largest Of them, on
which tho foundation work has just boon
commenced, will be something stupendous-
1t IL the Hall Of Manufactures and Ltberol
Arts. The sito Of this vast building 10 y
broad, highly situated plateau overlook
ing the lake. A railroad track runs
through the center, and on each side rise
tremendous piles of lumber, iron aad All
sorts Of construction material.
A similar scene is witnessed at the
other great buildings on which further
progress has been made. Within the In
closure the exposition site resembles one
vast workground, surrounded by frelgnt
cars and lumber yards. Looking out to
wards the lake, the breakwa ter, the long
pier and foundation for the naval exhibit
present the appearance Of mammot"
dockyard.
Changed, indeed, is jackson park, and
those who visited 1t three months ago
would not know II now. A worlds work
shop, employing au army Of builders, en-
vironcd on three sides by the foliage and
flowers of the south parks, and on the
fourth by the infinite expnnse Of the lake.
Tho exposition site has undergone
wonderful change since last spring. Then
1t was q soft marshy ground shelving In
irregular stretches to the water line. Now
1t Is firm Lowell, y smooth sandy surface
upon clay subsoil. A perfect and admir-
q bly, improved building site. The hun
dreds Of visitors who view tho grounds
cannot Immediately appreciate the i'm
mense difficulties that have been overcome
and the great labor involved In the Garth
work accomplished on this lake shore site-
It is now level surface TO tho line OF the
lake, surface mile and q half IN length
and, ut its southern extremity, nearly =
mile in width. This has been created snd
graded and levclcd by constantly employ
ing u small army of men, ind now, within
tho six miles Of fence that surrounds 1t, tho
work of constructing the great buildings
is being pushed with ccaseless activity.
From the slight eminence already known
as administration hill," which the lofty
administration building is destined to
effectively crown, the observer can even
thus early gain realistic sense Of tho
distinctive features and general magni-
tude OF this stupenduous undertaking. AT
this point he is practically in the CEN
ter of the sites allotted to the principal
buildings aud the system of terrace work
which will surround them. He is also In
the center Of n complex network OF rail
way track, 10000 feet Of 1t extending In
every direction and connecting with tho
trunk lines by fifty switches, all Of them
in constant use. This system Of railway
is laid upon what, four months ago, was
wild park land untouched by the drst
Improvement. The tracks are covered
with cars loaded with lumber, iron and
every description Of building materials.
These roll into the ground INCREASINGLY
and are switched up to tho buildings to
which tho materials belong. Gangs OF
mcn take hold with will, and as II by
magic towering piles of material rise in
every section OF the grounds. Mounted
supcrin.endents ride from point to point,
urging things forward. The word Is
crush" in every department and branch
of construction.
The big buildings are beginning to rise.
Already some of the principal structures
are not only in evidence, but progress ON
them is marked from day to day. Look
Ing northwest from the administration
building the visitor secs the woman's
building, already so far advanced that IL
looms up imposingly against Its back.
ground OF park trees.
Rising in the vista are the electricity
and mines and mining buildings, on
which the foundations are already com
plcted. Upon the sites OF the horticul-
tural und transportation buildings all
preliminary work is completed, aud hun
drcds OF tons OF material are ready 70 bc
placed in position.
Hundreds Of men are engaged on every
possible sort OF construction work-laying
water mains, electric light plant, model
Ing for the exterior decorative work and
developing landscape effects around tho
ornamental waters.
A busy place indeed Is the exposition
ground. and soon II will be rs busy by
night us by day for tho electric lighting
necessary for night construction has Just
been arranged Tor.