Nebraska State Building
Architect: Henry Voss, Omaha, Nebraska
Area: 7,312
Cost: $18,000
Picturesque World’s Fair, An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views—Published with the Endorsement and Approval of George R. Davis, 1894
THE NEBRASKA BUILDING.—Almost directly across from the South Dakota Building, on the roadway leading eastward from the Fifty-seventh street entrance, was the Nebraska Building. It was a fine structure of the Corinthian order, and presented a striking appearance in its admirable location. It was sixty by one hundred feet in area, and two stories in height. The exhibit hall was a splendid room about sixty by seventy feet in dimensions, and contained varied showings of the products of the state. The nature of one display was such as to attract general attention. It was that of the beet-root sugar industry, relatively new in the United States, but which, in Nebraska, is full of promise. One of the most notable objects perceived immediately upon entering the place was a white pagoda made of beet sugar in glass jars. Beet sugar in other forms was found elsewhere, and over the entrance to one of the rooms was the inscription, “Corn is King and Sugar is Queen.” The king was shown as well as the queen, though, of course, the king was less of a novelty to visitors. There was a table made of corn, a gift of the ladies of Cummings County; the frieze about the room was the sunflower made in corn; there was a United States flag made in corn, and in other objects the cereal was used to the same purpose. The ladies of Nebraska had contributed largely, and specimens of their work in various forms were exhibited on all sides. It was a most attractive building with most attractive exhibits.
Nebraska State Building
The Nebraska Building, which is the first one to be reached as the visitor enters the Fifty-seventh street gate and turns to the left, is built in the colonial style of architecture. It measures 60×100
feet, and is covered with staff to represent stone. On each side of the building is a large portico, with eight massive columns running the full height of both floors, and supporting the gables over the porticos. Six large rooms open on to these, giving space for exhibits. On the first floor is found a large exhibit hall, reception, waiting, commission and men’s toilet rooms. The second floor is
reached by a magnificent staircase ten feet wide which is one of the features of the building. The janitor’s and reading rooms are located on the second floor, as are also waiting, reception and toilet
rooms for ladies. There are some interesting art exhibits in the building, as well as displays of the great agricultural resources of the State. It is amply equipped with stand pipes and other apparatus
for checking fires. Henry Voss, of Omaha, is the architect of the building, and it was erected at a cost of $15,000. Designed as the general headquarters for Nebraska people and their friends, it is entirely satisfactory for the purpose intended.
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