Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-12-30
ARCHITECTURAL GEM.
WASHINGTON, BUILDING AT THE
WORLDS FAIR.
Architect Skiilings Returns from
Chicago and Tells of the Work
AccOmplished-C Observers
Pronounce the Structure N Great
Advertisement for the state.

AccOmpIis ished- Observers
Pronounce the Structure n Great
Advertisement for the State.
The building which will represent
the new State of Washington at the
Worlds Fair is marvel OF beauty and
originality, and although only little
over half completed, is attracting
more attention than any other State
building under the course OF erection.
1t is not the Washington people
alone who are aware of this, but hun
dreds throughout the nation who have
visited Chicago, and after careful in
spection of the many handsome and
unique structures, freely express the
opinion that Washington's structure
eclipes that of any other State.
Warren p. Skillings, OF Seattle, who
designed the building, returned re-
Gently from Chicago where he had
been for six weeks superintending the
work and when seen at his home by
Telegraph reporter, spoke at length on
the progress being made in the erec-
ton of the magnificent structure.
"The many congratulations, both
verbal and written, that l have re-
ceived," said Mr.. Skillings, convinces
me beyond any doubt that Washing
ton can well feel proud of its Worlds
Fair building"
Continuing, the architect said:
Evans & Rigby, who received the
contract to erect the building, COM
menced their task last September.
Notwithstanding that there was con-
siderable delay for awhile in getting
some necessary material together and
then having it shipped to Chicago,
the work progressed very rapidly. and
unless some unforeseen delay occurs
tile building will be virtually COM
pleted by March. 1t will take two
extra months to put the finishing
touches on, but that will not interfere
with placing the exhibits in their re-
spective departments.
"At present the building is more
than half completed. In fact, we had
the foundation logs in position for the
dedicatory services held several weeks
ago. The roof is finished, work of
plastering begun, and we are now get
ting ready for the finishing material,
much of which has been shipped from
Seattle during the past few weeks.
The remainder will be secured in
Chicago by w. S. Davidson, of Ia
coma, who was selected by the State
Commission TO make the purchase.
Mr.. Davidson fills the position OF ma
terial agent, and having had expert
ence in that direction is the right man
in the right place.
"Many people, l understand, wit
messed the erection of the flag pole
last week. The pole is 200 feet long,
and the gilt ball at the top is feet in
diameter. 1t is by far the largest and
handsomest of any yet placed in posi-
tion."
Workmen are now engaged in
building up the arch stone entrance,
which will consist entirely of stone
gathered in the different parts of the
State. Mineral Agent Pfunder has
collected 20 tons of silver ore, which
will be shipped to Chicago in a few
days, and used in the construction of
the arch"
"The main entrance will be in the
form of rockery, with the outside
compo, ed of low grade ores, with the
veins of silver, lead and other miner
ais showing plainly in the rocks. In
the crevices will be placed earth and
native moss, flowers and vines OF the
State. The main entrance, facing the
lagoon, which will by very prominent
in the approach to the grounds, will
be of the various excellent building
stones of the State, ornamentally
carved and wrought. the style being
Spanish renaissance.
The contractors inform me that
critical observers who have carefully
inspected the building say that it will
be the greatest advertisement Wash
ington has ever had since its birth.
The building alone, in the opinion of
many to whom have talked, will be
sufficient to induce Eastern capitalists
to invest their money in this State.
$50 far as the buildings in general
are concerned, l believe that the peo-
pie who visit the fair will have the op-
portunity of witnessing the greatest
architectural display that the most
imaginative person could picture"