Illinois State Building
Architect: W. W. Boyington, Chicago, Illinois
Area: 92,388
Cost: $250,000
The gift of Illinois to the Exposition was $800,000, and of this sum, $250,000 were expended on the ambitious structure.
ILLINOIS BUILDING.—It is but just to say that the Illinois Building was not considered one of the beauties of the World’s Fair. The great sum of $800,000 was appropriated by Illinois for World’s Fair purposes, and of this sum a quarter of a million dollars was expended on the ambitious structure shown in the illustration, but it was not artistically speaking, worth the money. It had only the quality that all about it was consistent; it was not charming outside nor homelike inside. It was not in tone with the rest of the Exposition. It was not international. It looked a State affair; was a State affair and was conspicuous enough to be obtrusive. So much may be fairly said of it in an uncomplimentary war, but it had some merits. The body of the building was impressive, and it was not ill-proportioned. Its dimensions were four hundred and fifty by one hundred and sixty feet. In the center a dome seventy-two feet in diameter rose to a height of two hundred and thirty-five feet. Memorial Hall, containing a great collection of trophies of war and State relics, was a prominent feature of the interior, and the non-competitive display of State products, the educational exhibit and other showings made were very creditable in themselves. The usual offices for commissioners were in the building, but little provision was made for the accommodation of visitors, and Illinoisans alone may be said to have had no home upon the Fair grounds.
THE ILLINOIS BUILDING ON ILLINOIS DAY.—On the occasion of a day of celebration devoted to any particular state, a scene of interest occurred at that state’s building. Naturally, the people of the particular commonwealth would gather in thousands about their edifice and there would be much enthusiasm and much noise while the ceremonies of the occasion were in progress. So it was to be expected that Illinois Day, that of the state in which the Exposition was held would be a day of note and vast pleasant confusion. Expectation was in no way disappointed. There was a great throng. There were numerous speeches made and there was a sufficient display of enthusiasm. In the illustration, though the view is a vague and distant one, the floating decorations of the Illinois Building may be seen, as well as the hundreds thronging the south balcony and looking down upon the multitude below. It was a great day, but not very different from any other of the state days. It was just a buoyant, patriotic time for everybody. Inside the building very little occurred. In fact very little could occur inside the Illinois Building. It was not constructed with any adroit idea regarding the comfort of visitors. It contested hotly with the United States Government Building the honor of being the worst prominent architectural production upon the ground. Which really deserved the honor of pretentious failure may never be absolutely decided. Each offensive building has its champions, claiming it to be the most uncouth ever erected, but there is no absolute verdict in the case.
Illinois Building
Just to the south of the Art Palace, across the north arm of the lagoon, stands the Illinois building. This building is by far the most pretentious of the State buildings, and can be classed as one of the great Exposition structures. The plan of the building forms a Greek cross, whose main axis is 450 feet long by 160 feet wide, and lies east and west, while the shorter axis is 285 feet long, with an average width of 98 feet. At the intersection of the arms of the cross rises the dome, with a diameter of 75 feet at the base and a height of 152 feet to the top of inner dome.
This dome has, besides, a continuation of the gallery, 15 feet above the floor, that runs around the main hall, and another, 96 feet above the floor, reached by two circular stairs in piers of dome. At the east aijd west are two large public entrances, at either side of which are rooms extending the entire width of the building, and about 29 feet deep, occupying the whole height, which is divided into three stories.
The rooms at the east end are chiefly used for school exhibition purposes, a large one on the ground floor being fitted up as a model kindergarten. Beyond this extends the great exhibition hall, 381 feet long; the central portion, 75 feet wide, being flanked by aisles 40 feet wide. The central division is lighted by windows in the clearstory, and by roof lights, it being 67 feet from the floor to the roof. The hall has a continuous gallery 16 feet wide and 15 feet above the floor. The aisles are lighted by large semicircular windows on the side walls. The southern part of the short arm of the cross is 121 feet wide and extends 75 feet beyond the walls of the main building. The lines of its cornice, being extended back across the main building, form the external base from which the dome springs. Its three stories are subdivided into rooms, halls, corridors, etc. The base of the dome rises from a series of steps upon which is a double support to the drum, the outer one being an order of Corinthian columns, the inner being a wall pierced by windows. Above the entablature rises the dome, which is covered with galvanized iron; the trusses are accented on the outside by prominent ribs, and the intermediate spaces are paneled. A round lantern on top, 12 feet in diameter and 35 feet high, is the crowning feature. Architects, Boyington & Co., of Chicago; contractors, Harlev & Sons, of Chicago. Material—3,000,000 feet of lumber, 1,300,000 pounds of iron.
Illinois Building from the North Lagoon
Illinois Building, Side View
Illinois Building at the World’s Fair
Inter Ocean
17 May 1893
- Lewis Magnue Melander visited the grounds of the Columbia Exposition shortly after it closed and photographed the emptiness.
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