The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-11-09
STUPENDOUS!
The Columbian Exposition The
World's Greatest Achievement.
IT'S BUILDINGS Respondent
IN AGRICULTURAL BEAUTY.
Their Contents Exhibiting the Ge
MUS and Wealth Of the Ciyi>
lized World.
GLORIOUS UNITED STATES !,

GLORIOUS UNITED STATES
Monday, October Both, 1893, will be
memorable in the annals of history, the
day on which came to a close the great
est undertaking of modern times. For
six months the citizens of the United
States and Foreign countries, have been
viewing the vast exhibits at the Worlds
Fair, All enterprise suggested by the dis
covery of America by Christopher Co
lumbus, under the reign of Queen Isa-
bella of Spain. After stubborn fight
in Congress the billauthorizing the hold
ing OF the Exposition was passed, and
| the wide awake citizens of Chicago
offered the greatest Inducements for it's
location. Two years were required to
erect the buildings and arrange the ex>
hibits, and from its opening exercises
until its close, there was a vast army of
visitors, coming from the four corners
OF the earth. How inspiring the sight !
America, the youngest Nation of all the
earth, after a most searching test, ac-
knowleged to be without peer.
In order to convey some idea of the
stupendous character of this Exposition,
we will give a condensed description of
the Courts and Buildings erected in
Jackson Park by the Worlds Fair Com
missioners, acting for the State of llli-
nois, which required the expenditure of
an enormous sum of money. AS each of
these structures pass in review, many
of the readers of the VIRGINIAN who at
tended this Exposition, will doubtless
recall some object of interest connected
Herewith that came under their obssr-
yation.
THE GRAND COURT
This great plaza is a regular triangle,
700 by 1000 feet. Water communication
lis provided at the East end of this O. urt,
communicating with Lake Michigan,
and the system of railroads debouch at
the West end in a railroad terminus,
marked by the Administration Building,
which was located so as to serve as the
monumental porch of the Exposition.
| From the railroad terminus, through the
arches of this porch and beneath its lofty
dome, visitors enter the Court. To the
Eastward is Lake Michigan, the con-
yerting screen of corridors between the
Casino and Music Hall intervening; on
! the right, the palaces devoted to the De-
partlnents ct Machinery and Agriculture
face the Court; on the left, the Mines,
| the Electricity and the colossal Manu-
facturers aud Liberal Arts Buildings
complete the Northern closure to the
Grand Court. The center is occupied by
great artificial basin which forms a
part OF the water system of the Park.
Connecting with the basin, broad
canal. bordered by double terraces and
crossed by arched bridges, runs South
ward between the palaces of Agriculture
and Machinery Opposite this canal is
another of similar character running be-
| tween the Department of Electricity
and Of Liberal Arts, and connecting with
the water of the Lagoon
One Of the most beautiful and con-
spicuous features of the Exposition was
the Electric fountain which was located
at the head of the basin. This marvel
GUS work of art sat at the head of the
Grand Court, in view of the main en-
trance to the Administrative Building,
and its commanding position had not
been idly assigned. 1t was purely spec
tacular and it's purpose was confined
solely to display at night, in connection
with the wonderful ''Scheuler'' Electric
Search Lights, which were located on
the rooves of the surrounding buildings.
! However, it added to the charm of the
noble statuary and furnished a most
valuable addition to the beauties of he
Grand Court. The inspiring sculpture
| is the handicraft of Macmonnies.
MAUFACTURERs AND LIBERAL ARTS
Notable for its symmetrical proper
tions, the Manufactures and Liberal
Arts Building is the mammoth structure
OF the Exposition. 1t measures | ,6S8 by
78S feet and covers more than 81 acres,
being the largest Exposition building
ever constructed. 1t is rectangular, and
its Central Hall is surrounded by nave
and two galleries.
The feature of the building is the great
Central Hall. 1t has clear space of
| 1880 feet by $50 feet It's roof rises to a
height of 245a feet at the apex and the
$50 foot space is covered by single
arched span, without a supporting col
umn,
Only by a comparison with existing
structures can any adequate idea be
formed of the size of this building. 1t is
| three times as large as St. Peters Cathe-
oral, IN Rome, and the largest church in
Chicago could be placed within the YES
tibule of st. Peters. On the floor of the
manufactures Building could be placed
twenty buildings like the big Audito-
rum. Its central Hall, one-third of it's
area, will comfortably seat 80, 600 people.
The building is in the Corinthian style
architecture and is severely classic.
The long arrag ce.smns and arches,
which .s44-es present, is relieYed
from monotony by very elaborate orna>
mental i'll staff, fire proof exterior
covering having the appearance Of mar
| bic. There are four great entrances to
the building, one i'll the center of each
/ facade, These are designed in the mans
ner Of triumphal arches, the central
archway of each being 40 feet wide and
80 feet high. There are numerous other
entrances less imposing.
The building occupies most conspic-
uous place in the grounds 1t faces the
Lake, with only lawns and prolnenades
between. North of it is the United
States Government Building and south
the Harbor and injutting Lagoon. The
building cost 81 500, 900.
THE MACHINERY HALL.
This building measures $50 by 500 feet,
and with the Machinery Annex and
/ Power House, cost about 81 900, 900. 1t
is located at the extreme South end of
! the Park, midway between the shore OF