Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1905-02-03
4 WESTERN WORLDS FAIR
Lewis and Clark Exposition Nearing
COmpletlon-How 1t Looks Four
Months Before Opening Day.
BY FRANK L. MERRICK.


the grounds and buildings of the
Lewis and Clark Exposition, which
will be held in Portland, Oregon, this
summer, opening June l and closing
October is, is progressing rapidly.
Eight exhibit buildings have been
completed and the installation of ex-
hibits begun, while the remaining
structures are nearing the stage where
the finishing touches will be applied.
The mild Oregon winter has permitted
the work to progress without an inter-
ruption, and when the President
presses the button on opening day
everything will be ready and waiting
something unusual in expositions.
Not only are the buildings far ad-
vanced, but the landscape picture also.
The grass is green and roses bloom in
open air all the year round in Port
land. Thousand of rose bushes have
been set out on the lawns and terraces
and these kept fresh by the winter
rains-Oregon knows no frost-bites or
STROKES are awaiting the spring
sunshine to bring forth riot of color.
The Lewis and Clark Exposition
although not so large as other exposi
tions, will be worlds fair in every
sense, rejecting the progress of all
participating nations, and particularly
of Western America. 1t will be quite
unlike it predecessors in that it will
combine with its broad scope the idea
Of compactness without crowding in
the laying out of the grounds and the
housing of the exhibits. There will
be no dreariness of architecture to
tire the eye, no miles of aisles to weary
the limbs. All will be perfection, or
at least the nearest approach thereto
ever achieved by an exposition.
The Centennial, which is the first
international exposition ever held
under the patronage of the United
States Government west Of the Rocky
Mountains, will celebrate the 100tk
anniversary of the exploration of the
Oregon Country by an expedition
commanded by Captains Meriwether
Lewis and William Clark, and planned
by President Jefferson. The sentiment
which inspires the people of the Pacific
Northwest in the preparation of this
exposition is one in which every
American must share. The result Of
this expedition, the acquisition of the
great Oregon Country by right Of dis
covery, extended our frontier to the
Pacific Ocean, adding vast and rich
territory to our domain. 1t was one
of the direct causes of the acquisition
of California, and the subsequent
acquisitions of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam
and the Philippines are related to it.
The beauty of the exposition site and
the superb view to be had from it,
coupled with the artistic grace Of the
in the style of the Spanish
Renaissance, will be an agreeable sur
prise to all visitors. Nesting at the
base of the foothills of the Cascade
Range, on the gentle slopes and
terraces overlooking the Willamette
river, with an unobstructed view of 65
miles which embraces the snow capped
peaks of Mt Hood and Mt. ST. Helens,
the site presents picture entirely
in exposition building.
OF the gross area of the site, 1870
acres are on the mainland and 60
acres form a peninsula extending out
into Guilds Lake, fresh water body
22O acres in extent and the largest
mere ever enclosed within an exposi-
5ion fence, which is separated from
the Willamette river by narrow strip
Of land. The exposition grounds are
made up of hill and dale, and in one
portion natural park of trees and
shrubs affords an opportunity for
work of a most attractive
character. In the arrangement of the
thorough consideration has
oeen given to the convenience of
4 rich and beautiful architectural
Effect The main group Of exhibit
palaces consisting Of eight structures
the ground bordering on the
axe, and forms nearly straight line,
With their short sides facing the water.
Around these structures, on the outer
,dge, cluster the state, territorial and
,ther minor pavilions. The Admin
building, in which the execu-
i've offices of the Fair are located,
stands at one end of the ornate
,olonnade entrance, the main gate
way to the grounds.
On the peninsula in the center of
5uild's Lake is located the United
states Government display. Here an
Government building with
wo towers each 26O feet high, is in
course of construction. Besides the
main building there are several minor
among them being the
Forestry, Fisheries and Irrigation
,avilions and the Life Saving Station.
All the main exposition structures
ire in the style Of the Spanish Renais-
ance except in the Forestry building,
which is a true American type, being
of huge logs in their vir-
yin state, thus eXemplifying in its
the timber resources Of
he river region. The structure is 200
eet in length by lO2 feet in width and
IS extreme high is 20 feet. In its con-