A Documentary Produced by UNO Television
for the Nebraska ETV Network
Planning the Exposition
It was one of the most unique events that took place in Nebraska. In 1898, the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition gave new life to a community rebounding from depression and drought.
As a result of these adversities, the country looked for new ways to revitalize a city's struggling economy. Late 19th Century became a golden age of the exposition or "World's Fair" - a way to highlight the prosperity of the industrialized society and showcase its goods.
Representatives from larger cities in the Trans-Mississippi states founded the Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress in 1894. These delegates met in Omaha in 1895 where William Jennings Bryan, convinced the group that Omaha was the ideal site for the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition of 1898.
On January 25, 1896, the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition Corporation was founded. More than $600,000 was raised through corporations, railroads, business leaders and local, state, and federal governments. Shares of stock in the Exposition were sold for as little as $10.00.
Building the Exposition
With money raised, the construction and planning could begin. Omaha architect Thomas Rogers Kimball and his partner C. Howard Walker were hired as Architects-in-Chief. The two were inspired by the 1893 Chicago Fair. Buildings would be designed in the classical style with columns, fountains and massive staircases.
The fair was built on 184 acres of land north of the city between 16th and 24th Streets. The land was donated by real estate developer Herman Kountze.
Architects from around the country assisted with the development and planning of the buildings. Strict guidelines were used for the Grand Court buildings. All of the structures were made of a single wood frame, covered with staff - a mixture of plaster of paris and hemp fiber.
The Grand Court and Bluff Tract
Opening day, June 1, 1898, drew nearly 28,000 visitors to the Exposition. Omaha and the West were on display. The Grand Court was the highlight of the fair with its dazzling mass of white buildings. Here, the latest technology was on display. A huge lagoon was built in the center of the Court. Surrounding the lagoon was the Government Building on the West, the Fine Arts, Liberal Arts and Mines and Mining building on the south, and the Agriculture, Manufacturers and Machinery and Electricity Buildings on the north. The Mines and Mining Building contained exhibits from 25 states and territories.
The Arch of States and the Administration Arch flanked the main court. The 2,000-foot long lagoon was filled with 7,000,000 gallons of water. Visitors could ride on a giant swan boat or Venetian gondola.
Most remarkable was the lighting of the Grand Court. A special power plant was built to handle light for the fair. Thousands of incandescent lights were used for the buildings and grounds. Turning the lights on at dusk was a fair event in itself.
What was known as The Bluff Tract was the location of the Horticulture Building on the south and the Plaza and Bandstand on the north. The Horticulture Building was an elaborate structure displaying fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants. Between these were buildings erected by nine states. Among them was the Minnesota Building constructed entirely of pine logs. The Bluff Tract was also home to a seven-story wigwam built by Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
The Midway
Playing an important role in World's Fairs was the Midway. Omaha's Exposition was no different. Attractions on the Midway included "A Street of All Nations," "Shooting the Chutes," a "German Village," and the "Giant See Saw." Several couples were married on the See Saw.
While filled with sideshows, beer halls and amusements, the Midway also included a variety of educational exhibits. Some of the newest wonders of the day could be seen....the baby incubator and the x-ray machine. The Midway featured daily recreations of the Battleship Maine being blown up in Havana Harbor. Ethnological displays such as The Moorish Village and The Old Plantation were an important part of the Midway.
The Indian Congress
By the late 1800s, Native Americans had been forced to live on reservations. Fair promoters believed a last gathering of all of the tribes would be "a drawing card."
The Indian Congress opened in August of 1898. Funding for the Indian Congress came from the Bureau of American Ethnology, a part of the Smithsonian. It was under the direction of ethnologist James Mooney and Army Captain William Mercer. More than 500 Native Americans representing 25 tribes attended. The tribes included: Apache, Arapaho; Blackfoot; Cheyenne; Crow; Flathead; Omaha; Ponca; Pueblo; Sioux; and Winnebago. The most famous Native American to attend was Apache Chief Geronimo.
The Exposition's official photographer, Frank Rinehart and his assistant Adolph Muhr photographed many of the Native Americans in their traditional dress.
Mooney however, became frustrated with the Indian Congress. He had hoped the Congress would be a display of the customs of the various tribes. Instead, promoters had erected a grandstand that could hold 5,000 people. Its purpose was to watch the tribes in re-enactments of battles.
Peace Jubilee Week
By August 12, the Spanish-American War was over. Exposition promoters planned a Peace Jubilee Week in October as a national celebration to the end of the war. It culminated with the visit of United States President William McKinley on October 12, 1898. Nearly 100,000 people jammed the fairgrounds for a glimpse of the President.
Closing the Exposition
Omaha Day on October 31, 1898, was the last day of the fair. More than 2.6 million people had attended the five-month event. The Exposition Board and its investors were pleased with the results - it returned over 90 percent of initial investments to stockholders.
Greater America Exposition of 1899
Because the fair was such a success, a group of local hotel, restaurant and saloon owners believed more money could be raised by re-opening the fair in 1899. The buildings were sold to this group and this fair would be known as the "Greater America Exposition." The theme of this 1899 fair would be the new colonial empire. America was now in control of the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
The fairgrounds remained largely intact. Several of the buildings on the Midway were moved. Gardens, landscaping and additional lighting were added to the Grand Court. Promoters proposed a large Philippine Village. Due to the conflict in the Philippines, it was difficult to construct this exhibit, delaying its opening. Smaller numbers of tribes returned for the Indian Congress. Chief Red Cloud attended.
But with all its efforts to promote the fair as a greater American event, the fair was a failure. Attendance was low and it closed in November of 1899. Its owners sold the entire grounds to the Chicago House Wrecking Company for $50,000. The buildings were dismantled and sold. The lagoon was filled in and a small park was created. Homes were built on the fair site.
bshaffer@unomaha.edu
Last Modified 6/10/98
It was one of the most unique events that took place in Nebraska. In 1898, the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition gave new life to a community rebounding from depression and drought.
With money raised, the construction and planning could begin. Omaha architect Thomas Rogers Kimball and his partner C. Howard Walker were hired as Architects-in-Chief. The two were inspired by the 1893 Chicago Fair. Buildings would be designed in the classical style with columns, fountains and massive staircases.
Architects from around the country assisted with the development and planning of the buildings. Strict guidelines were used for the Grand Court buildings. All of the structures were made of a single wood frame, covered with staff - a mixture of plaster of paris and hemp fiber.
Opening day, June 1, 1898, drew nearly 28,000 visitors to the Exposition. Omaha and the West were on display. The Grand Court was the highlight of the fair with its dazzling mass of white buildings. Here, the latest technology was on display. A huge lagoon was built in the center of the Court. Surrounding the lagoon was the Government Building on the West, the Fine Arts, Liberal Arts and Mines and Mining building on the south, and the Agriculture, Manufacturers and Machinery and Electricity Buildings on the north. The Mines and Mining Building contained exhibits from 25 states and territories.
Most remarkable was the lighting of the Grand Court. A special power plant was built to handle light for the fair. Thousands of incandescent lights were used for the buildings and grounds. Turning the lights on at dusk was a fair event in itself.
The Midway
By the late 1800s, Native Americans had been forced to live on reservations. Fair promoters believed a last gathering of all of the tribes would be "a drawing card."
The Exposition's official photographer, Frank Rinehart and his assistant Adolph Muhr photographed many of the Native Americans in their traditional dress.
Because the fair was such a success, a group of local hotel, restaurant and saloon owners believed more money could be raised by re-opening the fair in 1899. The buildings were sold to this group and this fair would be known as the "Greater America Exposition." The theme of this 1899 fair would be the new colonial empire. America was now in control of the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.