Picturesque World’s Fair, An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views—Published with the Endorsement and Approval of George R. Davis, 1894
ON THE WOODED ISLAND.—Without the Wooded Island, with its touch of the country, its wonderful flowers and shrubbery and winding walks, and cosy nooks and quaint Japanese houses of the past, the Fair would have lacked one of its most refreshing and interesting features. Charming alike to the naturalist, the couples who liked to wander by themselves, the student or the mere lover of the beautiful, was the island which added such variety to the scenery of the vast inclosure. The flora, transplanted from a thousand different and distant places, seemed to thrive here as at home, and nature seemed assisting man to make the whole as nearly a perfect thing as possible. And man certainly did his own part exceedingly well. He utilized what nature gave to the greatest advantage and added numerous improvements of his own which were in admirable taste. The view which appears above is but a bit, just the extreme southern end of the island where it is connected with the mainland by a tasteful bridge. There appears the broad way leading up to the Administration Building directly in front, with the Electricity Building showing partly on the left and a corner of the Mining Building on the right. The very spirit of the island’s atmosphere is caught in the illustration, the flowers, the shrubbery, the sturdy trees and the fairy lamps which gave such brilliancy to the night scene, are all depicted just as they were. The spot was one of the most charming on the Island.
THE GOLDEN DOOR, FROM THE WOODED ISLAND.— Among the great number of photographs, taken from different points of view of the famous “Golden Door,” it is doubtful if any surpassed in charming effect that from which the accompanying illustration is taken. The point afforded on the Wooden Island seems to have been at just the right distance from the Transportation Building and in just the right direction to allow of an absolute presentation of detail, while, at the same time, giving the entire doorway with surroundings enough for an effective setting. The water, the pretty point of miniature beach, even the leaves upon the trees, are reproduced with admirable appearance of reality, and above all, the delicate patterns and traceries upon the entrance are represented with admiration appearance of reality, and, above all, the delicate patterns and traceries upon the entrance are represented with marvelous fidelity. Here may be seen just what was the quality of that Oriental style of decoration which, supplemented by brilliant coloring, made such a striking picture and aroused so much discussion among artists and architects as to whether or not its florid beauty were preferable to the purer nd simpler stylen of the fronts where the uniform white prevailed and where the features were more classic. But whatever might be the verdict arrived at as to general effect, there was no disputing the fact that the designs upon the Golden Door were beautiful in themselves, and that the picture exhibits their character so faithfully is gratifying.
Jackson Park Lagoon Looking East
July, 1891
Wooded Island