The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-03
FERRIS WHEEL READY.
Famous Worlds Fair Attraction Again in
Position.

Chicago, Oct. a-The big Ferris wheel
which was one of the great features of the
Midway is once more in operation
Ever since it was torn down at the close
of the Worlds Fair the Ferris wheel has
been an homogeneous mass of iron until a
little over six weeks ago; when it was
transported to the North Side. For near
ly four months the workmen have been
at work at Wrightwood avenue and CLARK
street preparing to put the Ferris wheel
in motion once more. A massive foun-
dation of crossbars, concrete, and solid
masonry was put in. This is twenty
nine feet deep, and it took nearly three
months and an expenditure of $40. 900 to
complete this portion of the work alone
This complete, the workmen began to
shape the mass of iron and steel into the
large wheel which delighted SO many Wis
itors to the Worlds Fair. For thirty-five
days this work has been going on, and now
the wheel is complete again. Yesterday
the large engines which operate the big
wheel were started, and the 2, 800 tons Of
iron and steel were putin motion. The
wheel revolves as easily as before it was
torn down, and nearly all the clank and
jar that attended its operation at jackson
Park are now absent, and 1t cannot be
same powerful engines drive the
machinery, and the whole went together
without hitch.
During the past week the management
have had force Of $50 men busy rushing
the work, and inside OF q week 1t is ex-
pected to have the big wheel ready to
throw open to the public. Thursday was
the day fixed, but it is doubtful if the
wheel will be ready by that time. The
cars have all been remodeled, and now
the interior is of hardwood finish and the
glazing is of double strength French
plate.
The grounds around the wheel are in
an unfinished state. 1t is intended to
erect summer opera pavilion just north
are located restaurants and promenades.
In the southwest corner of the grounds
will he dining hall and cafe. The main
floor is to consist of large dining hall i,
the second will be devoted to private
dining rooms and a large banquet hall,
while the third floor will be reserved for
the use of the employees.
1t was not the intention of the manager
ment to open the grounds before next
spring, when they have arranged to have
the grounds beautifed by 10000 roses,
twenty eight small trees and othe-
shrubs, and Is, 600 electric lights. An or
ohestra of thirty pieces will discourse
music and the opera pavilion will have
an English opera company for an attrac-
ton,
The wheel itself will be open in week,
if the company carries out its present in
tsntions and visitors will have an oppor-
tunity to see Chicago from the clouds.
The wheel Is located on one of the high
est points in the city The wheel can be
easily seen from Garfield Park. From
the top a much better view Of the city
can be secured than when at Jackson
Park 1t is the intention to make the
whole single admission fee, and giving
the visitors as much of a ride as they
want After paying at the gate Il person
can attend the opera, ride an hour, get
out of the wheel, dine at the restaurant
and then go back and ride, all for one
price of admission, with the exception of
the dinner, of course. The grounds will
be transformed into park and efforts
will be made to make wheel parties fad
among the fashionable people next year,
and elegantly furnished dining rooms
will be one of the attractions