Even at the present time, nearly a year before the date set for the opening of the World’s Columbian Exposition, the site upon which it is to be given forms the main object of interest to Chicagoans as well as visitors. This interest will, of course, be heightened as time passes on until it culminates in the attendance of visiting millions at the exhibit, which will stand unrivaled in the history of the nations.

The World’s Fair grounds are in Jackson Park, seven miles from the business center of the city, and any one who has noticed within the last year or so the great expanse of swampy, uneven ground would not recognize it to-day, so stupendous has been the transformation. The great expanse, half wilderness, half prairie, which stretches away southward from the Park on the shores of the Lake, has been transformed into a miniature city, and the great buildings, several of them in a state bordering on completion, tower high toward the skies, giving promise of the magnificent effect they will create when finished. If the millions of people whose eyes are directed in fancy upon this scene could view it in reality, they would feel satisfied that the promises made as to their entertainment will be much more than fulfilled.

The shore line of the Lake approaching the World’s Fair grounds is graced by a sweeping promenade of flag-stones. Entering the grounds one is greeted by a splendid vision of graceful lagoons, wooded islands and colossal buildings, gracefully ornamented and striking the beholder dumb with admiration.

The history of this World’s Fair project reads like a romance. All the great cities of the country contested for the honor of holding the Fair within their gates. By dint of splendid work, admirably strengthened of course by the natural advantages it possessed, Chicago won the prize, and the manner in which the city’s pledges have been carried out fully justifies the selection. The citizens of Chicago raised over five million dollars for a guaranty fund and pledged themselves to have a like amount in addition ready in case it should be needed. That is one of the reasons why Chicago secured the Fair; it was a case where “money talked.” This Fair, which marks the four hundredth birthday of this great and mighty Nation will be thrown open next year to the delight of the civilized world. The following is the proclamation by which President Harrison invited the Nations to participate:

The World’s Fair grounds embrace a total of 1,037 acres and the two adjoining parks, Jackson and Washington, form a part of the magnificent park system of Chicago, which has been fully described in a previous chapter. It stands to reason that a project of this scope can only be undertaken under the supervision of a great host of officers. The principal officers of the World’s Columbial Exposition are:

The National Commission is composed of eight commissioners at large and two for every State and Territory in the Union, with two alternates. There are standing committees as follows: Executive, Judicial, Tariffs and Transportation, Foreign Affairs, Fine Arts, Science, History, Literature and Education, Agriculture, Live Stock, Horticulture and Floriculture, Finance, Auditing, Ceremonies, Classification, Manufacture, Commerce, Mines and Mining, Fisheries and Fish Culture, Electrical and Pneumatical Appliances, Forestry and Lumber, Machinery, World’s Congresses, Printing, Grounds and Buildings, Federal Legislation, Awards, Reference, and Control.

There is also a Board of Lady Managers composed of two members for every State and Territory of the Union, with alternates, under whose supervision woman’s share in the exhibit is being prepared. The following are the officers in the Board of Lady Managers:

There is also a body known as The World’s Congress Auxiliary, which is an organization authorized and supported by the Exposition corporation for the purpose of bringing to Chicago a series of world’s conventions of leaders in the various departments of human progress during the Exposition season of 1893. The auxiliary has also been recognized by the Government of the United States as the appropriate agency to conduct this important work. Its general announcement has been sent to foreign governments by the department of State, and an appropriation for its expenses has been made by act of Congress.

The Auxiliary consist of an active membership of persons residing in Chicago or sufficiently near to attend committee meetings without inconvenience and a nonresident membership divided into advisory councils of the different departments of progress and honorary and corresponding members. Each committee has its own advisory council, composed of eminent leaders of the world in the department to which it relates. Honorary and corresponding members are persons not assigned to a particular department, but whose prominence and influence make their aid and co-operation desirable.

The officers of the Auxiliary are:

The dimensions and costs of the various buildings are shown complete in the following table:

The first two of these are erected by the United States Government, and the third by the State of Illinois. They will form a striking portion of the group of buildings surrounding the lagoons. In addition to these buildings at the north end of the Park, buildings will be erected that are to be devoted to individual States and the foreign Governments structures, probably one hundred in all. The latter will surround the gallery of fine arts at the north end of the lagoon. On the Midway Plaisance the visitor will find special features, such as the bazaar of all Nations, the street of Cairo, the Constantinople Street, the Japanese village, the German village, etc.

Among the various buildings in a more or less advanced state of construction, the Administration Building at once challenges attention, being regarded as the finest. It stands at the west end of the great court in the southern part of the site, facing eastward, the transportation facilities and depots being immediately in its rear. The Administration Building cost $450,000, and its lofty dome is observable from all parts of the grounds. It consists of four pavilions, each eighty-four feet square, one at each of the four angles of the square and connected by the central dome, which is 120 feet in diameter and 220 feet in height. The design of this building is after the French renaissance, the first story being on the Doric order of architecture of heroical proportions, the tiers of each pavilion being ornamented with fine sculptures. On the second story the Ionic style prevails. There are four great entrances fifty feet wide and fifty feet high, covered with huge arched vaults. Above the entrance doors are enormous screens of glass, through which light is given to the central rotunda. Galleries connect between the different pavilions. The internal features of the building are even more magnificent. Between every two of the grand entrances is a hall thirty feet square, giving access to the offices. The rotunda is octagonally formed, the first story consisting of eight great arched openings, corresponding in size to the arches at the entrance. The second story, fifty feet in height rises above the balcony, and from this rises the interior dome, 200 feet from the floor, in the center of which is an opening fifty feet in diameter and through which light falls from the exterior dome overhead. The interior of the dome is richly paneled and moulded, the panels being ornamented with sculpture and paintings of numerous size and splendid design. The corner pavilions are divided into offices for the administration, lobbies and toilet rooms. The fire and police departments are located on the ground floor. In the second pavilion are the ambulance offices and other departments; in the third, a bank and post office; in the fourth, a restaurant.

Next in magnitude to the Administration Building, perhaps, is the Transportation Building, which is one of a group of edifices forming the northern architectural court of the Exposition. It is situated between the horticultural and mines buildings, facing eastward and commanding a view of the floral island and part of the lagoon. The building is simple in its outlines, but rich and elaborate in detail. The cupola of the Transportation Building, reached by eight elevators, commands a most beautiful view of the entire exterior Exposition. The main entrance is in the form of a single arch, richly carved and decorated with bas reliefs and mural paintings. The main part of the building is composed of a continuous arcade in which numerous minor entrances are pierced, while almost at every place are grouped terraces, drinking fountains, statues, etc. The main part of the building is 960 feet front by 250 feet deep, from which extend a huge annex one story in height, covering about nine acres. In the annex, the more bulky exhibits are to be found. Along the central avenues scores of locomotive engines will be found, highly polished and greatly adding to the grandeur of the effect. In this building will be found exhibits of everything connected with transportation, from a carrier pigeon to a traction engine.

Passing from the Transportation Building one comes to Machinery Hall, which is said to be second only in magnificence to the Administration Building. Machinery Hall is located at the extreme south of the Park, between the west Park line and Lake Michigan, standing south of the Administration Building across the lagoon from the Agricultural Building. This building is spanned by three great archways, and the interior looks not unlike three railroad train houses grouped side by side. The arches or trusses are built separately and will be sold after the Exposition is over to the railroads for use as train houses. The building has numerous platforms upon which visitors may stand and view all that is transpiring. A power-house adjoining will supply all the power needed. The entire group of buildings in this vicinity is designed so as to conform with the idea of a Spanish town, the same being considered appropriate in a Columbian celebration.

Between the Machinery and Agricultural Halls is a space covered by a colonnade and cafe; in the center is an archway which, if followed to the end, will lead the visitor to the cattle exhibit. There is also a portico which affords a view of nearly a mile down the lagoon. Machinery Hall has an annex covering between four and five acres, thus increasing the length of the actual building to about 1,400 feet. It ranks second of the larger structures of the Exposition.

The Woman’s Building, it is safe to say, will be the main object of interest to a large number of visitors at the Fair. It is situated in the north-west part of the Park, facing the great lagoon with the beauty island of flowers at its front. In this building will be grouped exhibits showing woman’s work in every conceivable form, and judging by the progress made at this writing, the building itself will be no less splendid than the array of marvels it will contain. In front of the Woman’s Building the lagoon stretches out to a bay 400 feet in width, from the center of which a landing and staircase leads to a wide terrace. Above the terrace are other staircases giving access to the ground floor of the building itself. On the first terrace are artistically designed flower beds and shrubs, and the building itself, in the style of the Italian renaissance will be considered one of the most attractive points for the visitor. The main grouping of the building consists in a center pavilion with a corner pavilion at each end, connected at the first pavilion with open arcades. There is a shady promenade the whole length of the structure. The first floor is ten feet above the ground line. The pavilion is reached by a wide staircase which forms the main triple-arched entrance. The corner pavilions are two stories high, where are located the hanging gardens and the committee rooms of the Board of Lady Managers. There is a lobby forty feet wide leading into the rotunda, the latter being surrounded by an open arcade of beautiful design. On the first floor of the building will be found a model hospital and a kindergarten. As to exhibits, the whole floor of the south pavilion will be devoted to the delineation of woman’s work in the past; the one on the north to reform work and charity organization. Above this are located ladies’ parlors, committee rooms and dressing rooms, all of which lead to the open balcony on the front. The balcony commands a superb view of almost the entire grounds. In the south pavilion will be found the kitchen and refreshment rooms, etc.

The Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building stands alone as the largest Exposition building ever designed, being 1,687 feet long and 787 feet wide and covering an area of thirty and one-half acres. The building is rectangular in form, its great central hall being its feature. The height of the roof is 245½ feet at the apex, and the 380 feet space is covered by a single arch without so much as a supporting column. The height from the floor to the center of the arch is 201 feet, the roof being supported by twenty-two steel arches, each arch weighing 125 tons. An idea of the magnitude of this building may be conceived from the fact that over 5,000 tons of steel were used in the construction of the main hall. Extending around this hall is a gallery twenty feet from the floor, sixty-seven feet wide, twenty-one feet of which space overhangs the floor of the hall. Beyond the gallery is a nave 108 feet wide and 114 feet to the roof. Extending around the nave into the outside limit of the building is a gallery twenty feet from the floor and forty-nine and one-half feet wide, the two galleries being connected by twenty-eight bridges fifty feet in width and 108 feet in length. Forty-one carloads of glass were used in the construction of the roof. The immensity of the building may be still further conjectured by the fact that it is three times as large as St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome; twenty buildings the size of the Auditorium could be placed side by side on its floor, and its central floor is big enough to seat 50,000 people. The building, which is in the Corinthian style of architecture, will contain, besides pavilions and promenades, about sixteen large cafes and seventy-five private dining rooms. The building faces the lake and fronts upon smooth lawns and wide promenades. Its estimated cost is $1,500,000.

But the building that will challenge the attention of everybody, rich and poor, young and old alike, will be the Art Palace, which is Grecian-Ionican style and a pure type of the most beautiful architecture. The Art Palace is 500 feet long by 320 wide. Collections of sculpture will be displayed on the main floor of the nave and transit, and on the walls of both the ground floor and balcony will be ample space for paintings. Small picture galleries will occupy the corners. All around the building are spacious galleries forming a continuous promenade. In small spaces between the promenade and the naves are small rooms to be devoted to private collections and the collections of the various art schools. There are also large annexes to the main building, which will be used for various art exhibits. There are four entrances to the main building approached by broad flights of stairs. The entire construction of the Art Palace is the most of classic order and will compare favorably with any Exposition building ever constructed. The location of the palace is the northern portion of the Park, the south front facing the lagoon, from which it is separated by beautiful terraces, and immense flight of steps lead from its main portal to the lagoon, where there is a landing for gondolas. From the north front are to be seen the wide expanse of lawn and the group of State buildings.

The Horticultural Building stands just south of the entrance to Jackson Park from the Midway Plaisance, facing east on the lagoon. The front of the terrace borders the water, its center forming a boat landing. The length of the building is 1,000 feet and its width 250. Its plan is a central pavilion with two end pavilions connected by front and rear corridors, forming two interior courts, each 270 feet by eighty-eight feet. A colossal dome 288 feet in diameter crowns the central part of the pavilion, under which are to be shown the tallest palms, bamboos and tropical tree plants to be found anywhere on the face of the earth. The galleries in each of the pavilions have been designed particularly for cafes, the surroundings being considered inducive to the enjoyment of refreshments. On three sides of these cafes stretches an arcade commanding a fine view of the grounds. In this building will be found arrayed every variety of flower, plant, vine and sod, together with a complete array of every implement used in horticulture. Such parts of the building as require it will, of course, be warmed to a tropical temperature.

The Dairy Building will be of special interest to the agriculturist for whose special favor and edification it was designed. Besides the exhibits of dairy products it will contain a dairy school, in connection with which will be carried on a series of tests to determine the various merits of different breeds of dairy cattle and milk and butter producers. The Dairy Building stands close to the lake shore in the southeastern part of the Park, and covers one-half acre. It measures 200 feet by ninety-five, and is two stories in height. It is simple in design. On the first floor appears a large open space to be devoted to the butter exhibits, while further back will be the large operating room to be devoted to the dairy. This room will contain an amphitheater capable of accommodating four hundred spectators, under whose seats will be stored refrigerators for the care of the products turned out. The cheese exhibits will be placed in the gallery, the rest of the second story being devoted to a cafe which overlooks the lake. The dairy school, which is regarded as of special interest, this being a great agricultural country, will continue in operation throughout the entire Fair, and will, no doubt, prove of surpassing interest to visitors.

The Fisheries Building is regarded as one of the most artistic of all, embracing, as it does, a large central structure with two smaller buildings connected with it by arcades at either end. The extreme length of the building is 1,100 feet and its width 200 feet. It stands to the north of the United States Government Building. In one of the similar buildings or annexes will be found the angling exhibit and in the other the aquaria. The architecture of the building is exceedingly quaint, the designer having arranged the ornamentation in such a way as to employ only fish and sea forms for his designs. The display of live fish will be something wonderful. In the middle of the rotunda will be found a basin or pool twenty-six feet wide, in the center of which will be a mass of moss-covered rocks. From crevices in this mass will flow streams of water to the basin below, and in this great basin all sorts of live fish will disport themselves. Outside the rotunda is a great corridor or arcade, on opposite sides of which are tanks, great and small to accommodate members of the finny tribes. This arcade is fifteen feet wide. The glass fronts of the aquaria will have 3,000 square feet of surface.