Fun facts
It is commonly understood that the nickname "the Windy City" was given to Chicago because of the city's narcissistic attitude and that it's politicians were "full of hot air" and "just blowing smoke" about their status and capabilities.
A woman named Mrs. Lucille Rodney of Galveston, Texas walked 1,300 miles to attend the fair and was not disappointed. (Larson 2003)
Frank Lloyd Wright was a junior architect at his firm and was fired by Sullivan, only to later become friends and business associates (Larson 2003).
Elias Disney worked as a carpenter for the exposition and would recount tales of fair experiences to his children. Some say that Elias's son, Walt, was so affected by the stories of this incredible White City that it would lead to the creation of the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.
It's likely that L. Frank Baum's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was also influenced by the great fair.
A woman named Mrs. Lucille Rodney of Galveston, Texas walked 1,300 miles to attend the fair and was not disappointed. (Larson 2003)
Frank Lloyd Wright was a junior architect at his firm and was fired by Sullivan, only to later become friends and business associates (Larson 2003).
Elias Disney worked as a carpenter for the exposition and would recount tales of fair experiences to his children. Some say that Elias's son, Walt, was so affected by the stories of this incredible White City that it would lead to the creation of the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.
It's likely that L. Frank Baum's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was also influenced by the great fair.
‘NOT SO FUN’ FACTS
The exposition wasn’t without its share of crime. For some time before and during the fair, a con artist and serial murderer H. H. Holmes was luring unsuspecting victims, some of whom were fairgoers to his home. There, he tortured, mutilated and killed his victims. His home was a specially constructed three story block-long building. Some of the rooms in the house had gas jets where it is believed that he asphyxiated some of his victims. He also used chutes and traps doors to convey bodies to his basement to burn. Holmes’ home was later dubbed the ‘Murder Castle.’ Holmes was eventually hanged on may 7th 1896 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the death of his partner in insurance fraud. http://www.biography.com/people/hh-holmes-307622?page=2
Another death that marred the Exposition was that of the recently reelected mayor of Chicago, Carter Harrison Sr. It occurred three days before the fair was to end. Elaborate ceremonies had been planned for the closing day but all had to be scrapped because a disgruntled office-seeker, Patrick E. Prendergast had assassinated the mayor. Instead a public memorial was held, while the fair closed quietly with its flags at half-mast.