by Melinda Gilpin
The World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, was a landmark event in American history and culture. Named in honor of Christopher Columbus, the Fair was a means of celebrating the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World and promoting the progress of man in science, industry, and culture since that historic event. Six months prior to the opening of the fair was the elaborate Dedication Ceremony of October 21, 1892. Which was held at the massive Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building.
Officials provided lunch for the 70,000 people expected to attend the dedication. However, nearly double that number appeared. The ceremonies were marked by gala musical performances of the "Columbian March" and one of the earliest public recitations of The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag - written earlier that year by Francis J. Bellamy.
Construction continued after the dedication ceremony, although a particularly rough winter in 1892 and 1893 made progress slow and difficult. Thousands of architects, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other craftsmen labored long hours attempting to complete the hundreds of buildings before the deadline. There were many times they did not think they would complete the work. In addition to the numerous buildings and structures that needed to be completed inside the Fairgrounds, additional hotels, a partments and other buildings were required to house thousands of tourists and workers. Despite all the odds, on Monday, May 1, 1893, two years and $19 million after construction began, the World's Columbian Exposition opened to throngs of visitors.
President Grover Cleveland opened the Exposition by switching an electronic key shortly before noon, May 1, 1893. Flags unfurled, water flowed from fountains, the statue Republic was unveiled - and people rushed forward to enter the exhibition. T hat day alone, nearly 129,000 people paid admission to the fair. Ticket prices were $.50 for adults and $.25 for children. Although relatively expensive for the time, people gladly paid it.
No event in American History had drawn the number of visitors who traveled to Chicago to see the exposition. Attendance varied widely, and was a bit disappointing at first to the fair planners. The central location of Chicago played a large role in the people who attended, and more Midwesterners and Europeans visited the World's Columbian Exposition than any other previous event.
Boasting exhibits like those never before seen anywhere in the world, the World's Columbian Exposition had a wide variety of attractions. The massive Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, the largest building in the world at the time, stood over 19 sto ries high and required over seven million feet of lumber for the flooring alone.
Many of the exhibits showcased technology, especially the relatively new electrical machinery being developed. Displays were mounted by hundreds of private organizations, as well as 36 countries and 46 U.S. States and territories. One guidebook listed more than five thousand exhibits intended to demonstrate the achievements of their sponsors.
Undoubtedly the most popular attraction among visitors to the expo was the debut of the Ferris Wheel. George W. Ferris invested $25,000 for a concession in the Exposition. Then with other investors, he spent another $250,000 constructing the enormous wh eel in the Fair's midway.
Visitors boarded one of the 36 cars to find luxurious surroundings. Wood paneling covered the walls, and plush revolving seats provided comfort to the passengers. Each car could carry up to 60 passengers, who paid 50 cents each for the ride. (Equal to the amount they paid to enter the World's Fair.) The duration of each ride was two full revolutions in twenty minutes, with frequent stops to allow passengers to disembark. Some passengers purchased tickets by the handful, and rode the wheel continuousl y. Each car was equipped with a small dining counter to be used for food brought on board by passengers.
The Ferris Wheel offered unparalleled views of the Exposition and surrounding city. The electric lights of the Fair made the Wheel one of the most popular after-dark activities. Over 1.5 million people boarded the Ferris Wheel during its five months of operation. After the Exposition closed, it was dismantled and moved to Chicago's North Side. It appeared again at the St. Louis Exposition, but was permanently removed two years later.