Palace of Mechanic Arts—Machinery Hall

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Palace of Mechanics Arts—Machinery Hall
Architect:
Area:
Cost: $1,200,000

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Picturesque World’s Fair, An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views—Published with the Endorsement and Approval of George R. Davis, 1894

MACHINERY HALL.— One of the most elaborate structures of the Columbian Exposition, Machinery Hall, or the Palace of Mechanic Art as it was termed officially, fully justified by its general effect the attention paid to ornamental details. The genius who achieved the lesser thing so well did not fail in the greater. Located at the south of the Grand Plaza and fronting to the east on the south canal, the vast dimensions of the building, eight hundred and fifty feet long by five hundred in breadth, appeared to great advantage, and viewed from the basin or the Manufactures Building, the charms of both facades appealed to the eye at once. The total cost was something over $1,200,000. The style that of the Renaissance, of the most famous cities of Spain, promoted greatly the architectural effects sought and, while its order might not be as strictly defined as was possible in other buildings, there was no question as to its capabilities. The main entrance on the north bore six large figures, each carrying a shield on which were engraved the names of prominent inventors, and above these and between the high towers were placed five more figures, each thirteen feet high. In the renter stood Science and beside her were the elements, Fire, Water, Air and Earth. Surmounting each tower, both on the north and east, was a winged Victory, apparently just alighting from flight and bearing the laurel wreath. The graceful classic columns, the open beauty of the surrounding loggia and the taste maintained in the adornments everywhere combined in making the great edifice one of the Fair’s great architectural triumphs.

MACHINERY HALL FROM THE SOUTHEAST.—The Spanish Renaissance style adopted by the gifted architects who designed Machinery Hall, enabled a beautiful effect and the north and east facades of the great building ranked in most respects with the grandest of the Exposition. The illustration here afforded shows the southeast corner of the structure and most of its east frontage, and gives a fair idea of the many attractive elements. Here was an extent of five hundred feet, every square yard of which was of elaborate finish, and, aside from its special charm, part of a harmonious whole. The covered loggia at the first story appears to exceptional advantage in this view and the lavish decoration of its graceful columns is made apparent. The staff was stained to an ivory tint, and the gold finish of the upper part of the columns made a rich and striking combination. The heroic figures gathered at the portals added much to the effect of each facade. Over the eastern entrance, on the pediment, Columbia appeared sitting on a throne, Honor and Wealth standing beside her, the one ready to award the laurel leaf, and the other what gold may purchase; while, awaiting, stood the great inventors. Above the pediment appeared the group of figures seen on the north as well, Science, Fire, Water, Air and Earth, all graceful and symbolic. The great towers on the east, like those on the north, each supported an angel just alighting from flight, and all the sculptural and architectural effects of the other towers were here repeated. Statuary also enriched the opening to the canal.

INTERIOR OF MACHINERY HALL.-Quite different from the view afforded inside any other of the buildings of the Fair was that where the acres of all kinds of modern machinery were exposed in competition. So constructed that the the most effective display of such exhibits could be made, the vast hall presented a scene never equaled of its kind before. A common simile in describing the place was to compare its interior with three immense train houses set side by side and surmounted by a single roof, a structure eight hundred and fifty feet long by five hundred feet in width. This great area had a gallery about it fifty feet in width, and the illustration here makes possible a comprehension of the spectacle the gallery commanded. To the right, extending away into the distance, appears the roadway of the traveling crane, a necessity in this building, since no other means would suffice as well for moving the heavy machinery, one piece of which alone, a gigantic engine, weighed three hundred and twenty-five tons. All the extensive space was divided into squares and parallelograms, called sections, and here in friendly rivalry, met all the leading nations of the world. The United States, admittedly first in inventions, made the anticipated showing, and Europe endeavored to prove that she had kept abreast in the struggle. The space allotted Germany, for instance, was so crowded that twice the amount might have been occupied to advantage, and so it was with other countries, met all the leading o nations of the world. The view given is over a portion of the foreign sections, Germany appearing in the middle distance.

THE BOILER-ROOM OF MACHINERY HALL.—Never before was such a boiler-room as that which delighted engineers in Machinery Hall. It must needs be enormous, for it supplied the force for all the lights and machinery of the great buildings, but those who had never seen It were none the less astonished when they entered the great room. It extended north and south in the annex, and to look down it was like looking down a street the end of which was lost in the distance. It was the largest boiler-room in the world. Not one class of boilers alone were used, but those of different manufacturers were set up side by side and so, throughout the Fair’s continuance, they were subjected to a practical test of quality and endurance. The same rule was followed with the pumps, the boiler-room thus becoming one of the greatest competitive fields of the Exposition. It was a model boiler-room in management, too. Only petroleum was used as fuel; convenience and neatness being thus assured, and tyros had little place among the engineers in charge of a plant so expensive and working under such conditions. An amazing force emanated from that boiler-room. Underground tunnels in which pipes were laid carried steam to distant buildings where engines were in operation, and great conduits containing electric wires radiated in all directions. It was a sight worth looking at for the engineer, or the student of progress of any sort in the mechanical field, and will afford a mental object of comparison for a long time to come. It was one of the wonders of the Fair, but was recognized as such by only a portion of the visitors.

EASTERN PORTAL OF MACHINERY HALL.-The view here given is an admirable one of the eastern entrance to Machinery Hall and makes plain the remarkable architectural style of that great edifice. The entrance has been described at length, but only such a view as this, the reproduction of a photograph taken from the Agriculture Building at a point directly across the canal, could bring out the charming details. The portico of this entrance was a popular resort because here was a regular stopping place for the boats, a couple of gondolas which are in the picture showing where the landing was. In addition to this, the south canal was at times the theatre of most interesting and amusing contests, one in particular occurring on what was known as “Machinery Day,” affording vast recreation to visitors. A contest between steam pumps was on and one through which water was forced by the contesting pumps, were stationed to do battle. The test was to determine which men, by the force of the streams from their hose, drive their opponents from the other rafts. The result may not have materially affected the ultimate decision of the judges of machinery, but it was a great naval victory for the successful combatants and a source of great delight to the public.

EAST FRONT OF MACHINERY HALL AND THE OBELISK.-The area of water extending to the south from the Grand Basin and known as the South Canal was so entirely surrounded by the beautiful in art or architecture that a view across it from any point was sure to be something captivating. The view above is from the northeast corner of canal, just where the “Farmer’s Bridge” terminated on the area in front of the Agriculture Building, with the observer looking toward the southwest. The great arch of the Southern Colonnade and the east portal of Machinery Hall appear with fine effect, as does the Obelisk, while the illustration has also an interest as showing the manner in which the Horticulture Department aided in beautifying all about the Court of Honor, with the great potted plants upon the balustrades. Here, too, are visible in one scene three of the sculptural masterpieces used for outdoor adornment of the grounds. At the left appears the statue of “Plenty,” across the canal that of “Industry,” or, as it was sometimes called, the “Boy and Horse.” To the right in the immediate foreground, is one of the famous group, or, rather, “set,” of wild animal figures which attracted a great deal of admiration. Guarding the east end of the bridge stood, as described by the sculptor, Mr. Phimister Proctor, “two sullen moose with shaggy manes, disproportionately long legs, short, thick necks and ugly noses. The animals’ antlers are their only beauty, but the sculptor has given a faithful representation of them.nThey were beautiful, though, in the very perfection of their uncouth naturalness.

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Palace of Mechanic Arts (Machinery Hall)

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Westinghouse Engine in the Machinery Hall Exhibit

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Buckeye Engine Company Display

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Engines like the one shown in this picture were used for many purposes. They used steam created by heating water to move mechanical arms back and forth. The back and forth motion would spin big wheels. The motion could be harnessed to power many different devices. Engines could generate electricity, lift heavy objects for construction, or turn giant drills for mining.

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J. F. Martin’s World’s Fair Album-Atlas and Family Souvenir, 1892

The Machinery Hall, of which Peabody & Stearns, of Boston, are the architects, has been pronounced by many architects second only to the Administration Building in the magnificence of its appearance. This building measures 850 by 500 feet, and with the large Machinery Annex and Power House, cost about $1,200,000. It is located at the extreme south end of the Park, midway between the shore of Lake Michigan and the west line of the Park. It is just south of the Administration Building, and across a lagoon from the Agricultural Building. The building is spanned by massive arched trusses, and the interior has the appearance of three railroad train-houses side by side, surrounded on all four sides by a gallery 50 feet wide. The trusses are built separately, so that they can be taken down and sold for use as railroad train houses. All of the buildings on the grand plaza are designed with a view to making a grand background for display, and, in order to conform to the general richness of the court and add to the striking appearance, the two facades of the machinery hall on the court are rich with colonnades and other features. The design follows classical models throughout, the detail being followed from the renaissance of Seville and other Spanish towns, as being appropriate to a Columbian celebration. An arcade on the first story admits passage around the building. The exterior of the building is in staff, colored.

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