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WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CHICAGO

ADMIT THE BEARER

1ST MAY TO 30TH OCTOBER 1893

#344127

GOOD CONDITION

I WAS ASKED TO SELL THIS FOR A FRIEND OF MINE AND I AM NOT SURE HOW TO GRADE THIS SO I PUT GOOD CONDITION AS IT HAS BEEN WELLED CARED FOR. PLEASE SEE PICTURE POSTED. T ARE NO TEARS OR CREASES.

Chicago, Illinois May-October 1893

Origins of the World's Columbian Exposition can be seen in the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia event marked the first large-scale effort of this kind in the United States. As early as 1880, advocates argues that a special exposition should mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus sailing to the New World. By 1888, the movement gained enough momentum to begin being taken seriously by the public, and by government officials. Early on, St. Louis was a leader for the site location. By 1889, public opinion and individual efforts had mobilized enough support to launch the new exposition. Contenders for the massive exposition site included St. Louis, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D. C. In an effort to woo the U. S. Congress to select their city, Chicago businesses raised $5,000,000 to pledge to the fair, and promised to double the amount if Chicago was selected. After eight ballots, Congress finally selected Chicago as the site, by a vote of 157 for Chicago, 107 for New York, 25 for St. Louis, and 18 for Washington, D. C. The fair was considered the greatest event of its kind in history.

Transportation time to Chicago

From Travel Time Montreal, Quebec, Canada 29 hours Boston, Mass. 32 hours New Orleans, Louisiana 36 hours Mexico City, Mexico 5 days New York, NY 26 hours San Francisco, Calif. 3-1/2 days London, England 9-1/2 days Berlin, Germany 11 days St. Petersburg, Russia 16 days Vienna, Austria 11 days Edinburgh, Scotland 10 days Chicago was divided into three divisions "sides": North, West, and South. Additional townships include Hyde Park, Lake View, Cicero, and Jefferson. According to the school census of 1892, the population of the South Division was 515,736 , and of the West Division 645,428, and of the North Division 278,846. Total resident population in 1893 was about 1,550,000. One third of the population was of foreign birth, more Germans and Irish, the Scandinavians, Poles, and Central Europeans. The local economy was booming. Chicago was a major port and transportation hub. Population was up 400% from 1870-1890 and the economy grew even faster. Dominant industries like grain trade and meat packing boomed, with the meat packing industry increasing 900% the same period. The new wealth brought Chicago great development in the arts, literature, music, and other fine arts. Due to the fair, beer consumption nearly doubled, to 2.7 million barrels in 1893. And, Chicago faced urban problems typical of a fast-growing city, including overcrowded schools, hundreds of bordellos, and high street crime. As an indicator of municipal transportation modes and rates, a two horse "hack" cab could be ridden one-way for $1 for under 1 mile and $2 for 2 passengers under 2 miles. A full day's rental of a coach ran $8 or $2 for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour. By city ordinance passed in 1892, one-animal conveyance rates were capped at 50 cents per mile for 1-2 passengers and 25 additional cents per mile per additional passenger. Admission and Transportation Prices and Statistics

Admission Prices

General Admission: Adults: 50 cents
Children 6-12: 25 cents
Children under 6: Free

Admission Statistics

Tickets Sold: approx 21.5 million
Free Admissions: approx. 6 million
Total Attendance: approx. 27.5 million
Additional : Free passes were initially available for those who came to visit the site to watch construction in progress. The crowds eventually ran up to 5,000 people a day, so admission was charged to be on the site to watch construction, first 25 cents, then to 50 cents.

Dedication Day was October 26, 1892. Vice President Levi...

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