Just 22 years after the devastating Great Chicago Fire, the nation's "Second City" became home to the World's Columbian Exposition. Regarded as the most famous world's fair held on American soil, the 1893 expo celebrated the four hundredth anniversary since Columbus landed in the Americas. Welcoming millions of visitors from around the globe, Chicagoans worked at a fevered pitch to prove they had risen like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes. Inside the official park, a Beaux Arts inspired "White City" of 200 classically designed buildings stunned observers with their beautiful architecture, canals and lagoons. The white stucco facades stood in stark contrast to the new stone buildings in the neighborhood, and seemed to glow at night from the incandescent light that was being introduced at the fair. The breadth of artistic and industrial exhibits inside the enormous structures was equally awe-inspiring and showcased much of the newest technology that was being invented around the world. Contributors to the success of the "White City" included architects Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, General Electric backed by Thomas Edison, Westinghouse which powered the incandescent light, and many other ground breaking inventors. Elevated rail cars were erected around the south side Garfield Park fairgrounds to transport visitors to and from the exhibits, using the new electric power. Outside the fairgrounds, visitors reveled in the Midway, boasting the first ever Ferris Wheel, which was 264 feet (80 m) high and had 36 cars which could each hold 60 people. One car was reserved for a band that played while the wheel was in motion. Notable figures performed for crowds in the Midway. Buffalo Bill Cody, a native Chicagoan, set up his famous Wild West Show during the fair. An Armenian dancer, Fahreda Mahzar, who went by the stage name "Little Egypt", became infamous in the Midway's "Streets of Cairo" where she danced a provocative version of belly dancing known as the "Hootchy Kootchy." Scott Joplin played his new "ragtime" music, which later influenced the jazz scene that boomed in Chicago. New foods were introduced at the fair, including Cracker Jacks, Juicy Fruit Gum, Cream of Wheat plus the Hamburger which made it's American debut. Lasting nearly 6 months, the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition was a huge success, not only drawing international acclaim for hosting such a well run event, but also for putting Chicago back on the map as a force to be reckoned with in business, industry and arts.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Summer 2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Summer 2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
