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Visitors to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition took in the view of the Court of Honor from the roof of the Manufacturers Building.
Visitors to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition took in the view of the Court of Honor from the roof of the Manufacturers Building.
The Grand Plaza in front of the Administration Building, seen on Chicago Day, Oct. 9, 1893, the twenty-second anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. The Administration Building was a 55,000-square-foot dome that held the offices of organizers of the 1893 World's Fair. It was the first building fairgoers likely saw after they paid their 50-cent entrance fee.
The Grand Plaza in front of the Administration Building, seen on Chicago Day, Oct. 9, 1893, the twenty-second anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. The Administration Building was a 55,000-square-foot dome that held the offices of organizers of the 1893 World’s Fair. It was the first building fairgoers likely saw after they paid their 50-cent entrance fee.
The first Ferris wheel was built by George W. Ferris for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It stood 250 feet high and had 36 cars that could each carry 40 people.
The first Ferris wheel was built by George W. Ferris for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. It stood 250 feet high and had 36 cars that could each carry 40 people.
The Statue of the Republic, at 65 feet tall, stood across from the domed Administration Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The original was destroyed in a fire, so a replica was made in 1918 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the World's Fair. The replica, only 24 feet high and made of gilded bronze, resides in Jackson Park.
The Statue of the Republic, at 65 feet tall, stood across from the domed Administration Building at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The original was destroyed in a fire, so a replica was made in 1918 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the World’s Fair. The replica, only 24 feet high and made of gilded bronze, resides in Jackson Park.
Nearly 129,000 people — “a surging sea of humanity,” as the title on this stereograph print describes it — filled the grounds on the opening day of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Visitors to the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 could take a gondola ride to cover some of the 633-acre expo and give the feet a rest. This is a view of the colonnade from the Grand Basin.
Visitors to the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 could take a gondola ride to cover some of the 633-acre expo and give the feet a rest. This is a view of the colonnade from the Grand Basin.
The Agricultural Building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
The Agricultural Building of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Columbian Exposition crowds were so huge at times that trains, like this one on Cottage Grove Avenue, carried an overflow of passengers on the roofs of their cars.
Columbian Exposition crowds were so huge at times that trains, like this one on Cottage Grove Avenue, carried an overflow of passengers on the roofs of their cars.
People walk down the Midway Plaisance at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Ill., circa 1893. The Ferris wheel can bee seen in the background.
People walk down the Midway Plaisance at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Ill., circa 1893. The Ferris wheel can bee seen in the background.
A woman rides on back of a camel at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, circa 1893.
A woman rides on back of a camel at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, circa 1893.
The center of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 was an architectural wonder known as the Court of Honor. It featured Venice-like waterways and a collection of stately palaces that served as exposition halls. The Palace of Fine Arts was the future home of the Museum of Science and Industry.
The center of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 was an architectural wonder known as the Court of Honor. It featured Venice-like waterways and a collection of stately palaces that served as exposition halls. The Palace of Fine Arts was the future home of the Museum of Science and Industry.
The exposition helped mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus' supposed discovery of the New World, and fair crowds lined the shores of Lake Michigan waiting for a replica of the Christopher Columbus caravels to arrive from Spain.
The exposition helped mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ supposed discovery of the New World, and fair crowds lined the shores of Lake Michigan waiting for a replica of the Christopher Columbus caravels to arrive from Spain.
One of the replica Christopher Columbus ships that sailed from Spain for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.
One of the replica Christopher Columbus ships that sailed from Spain for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
This one-day admission ticket to the World's Columbian Exposition cost 50 cents.
This one-day admission ticket to the World’s Columbian Exposition cost 50 cents.
With fair buildings as the background, officials for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 pose for a group portrait, including architect Daniel Burnham, third from left.
With fair buildings as the background, officials for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 pose for a group portrait, including architect Daniel Burnham, third from left.
The Liberty Bell left its home in Philadelphia for only the second time in history to be part of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. The bell traveled aboard a flatbed rail car and was greeted with fanfare on stops between Philadelphia and Chicago.
The Liberty Bell left its home in Philadelphia for only the second time in history to be part of the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. The bell traveled aboard a flatbed rail car and was greeted with fanfare on stops between Philadelphia and Chicago.
Chicago police guard the Liberty Bell, which was in town for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. A lengthening of the bell's famous crack was discovered in Chicago and may have been caused by the bell's travel by rail.
Chicago police guard the Liberty Bell, which was in town for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. A lengthening of the bell’s famous crack was discovered in Chicago and may have been caused by the bell’s travel by rail.
The Columbian Exposition had an emergency crew, pictured here on the boat F.D. Millet, that was skilled in swimming and climbing and trained to respond to emergencies. The crew rescued three men whose pyrotechnics raft had broken off from its mooring during a storm.
The Columbian Exposition had an emergency crew, pictured here on the boat F.D. Millet, that was skilled in swimming and climbing and trained to respond to emergencies. The crew rescued three men whose pyrotechnics raft had broken off from its mooring during a storm.
A parade during the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago.
A parade during the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago.
At the center of the Columbian Exposition's Court of Honor was the Statue of the Republic, designed by Daniel Chester French. A replica of this statue now stands in Jackson Park.
At the center of the Columbian Exposition’s Court of Honor was the Statue of the Republic, designed by Daniel Chester French. A replica of this statue now stands in Jackson Park.
A view of Jackson Park with the German Building featured in the foreground surrounded by other Columbian Exposition landmarks in 1893.
A view of Jackson Park with the German Building featured in the foreground surrounded by other Columbian Exposition landmarks in 1893.
One of the first electric trolleys installed on 61st Street was used during the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.
One of the first electric trolleys installed on 61st Street was used during the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.