CHAPTER I.

A WONDERFUL METAMORPHOSIS.

Jackson Park in 1891— An Uninviting Strip of Sand, Swamp and Scrub Oaks— No Redeeming feature
Except Area and Location — The Most Magnificent Transformation Scene Ever Presented to Man-
kind— Twenty-five Millions of Dollars Expended on Buildings and Improvements— Director of
Works Daniel H. Burnham and His Engineers, Architects, Sculptors, Painters and Landscape
Designers, Transform a Spot of Swamp and Sand into a White City of Palaces and Collonades —
Terraces, Towers, Turrets and Statuary on Every Hand — Plantations of Massive Foliage and
Flowering Plants — Beautiful Fountains and Picturesque Water Ways — Artificial Canals That Put
to Blush those of Venice, the Bride of the Sea — Burnham and His Staff.

T was many months before those authorized to select a site for
the Exposition buildings arrived at a generally harmonious
and satisfactory decision. Chicago is topographically
divided into three populous sections: the North Side, the
West Side and the South Side. But while the two former
had active and influential adherents, it was early demon-
strated that a large majority of the Directors and Commis-
sioners had concluded in favor of the latter. How and
where to locate on the South Side, however, provoked
extended and animated discussion between the Directors
and Commissioners until at last it was unanimously agreed
to accept from the South Park managers those portions of
their territory known as Jackson Park and Midway Plaisance.
The Jackson Park of 1891 and the Jackson Park of 1893 present a system of
transformation that cannot be adequately described. Suffice it to say that the
Jackson Park of 1891 was about as uninviting a strip of sand ridges and scrub oaks
as fringes Lake Michigan at any point. Two years ago this unsightly strip did not
possess one redeeming feature except area and location — to-day it is not only the
most beautiful and spectacular spot in the world, but it is the grandest and most
georgeous transformation scene ever presented to mankind.

In January 1891 there were 556 acres of swampy, ridgey, sandy ground, with
here and there clumps of scrubby trees and some herbage. In May 1893, there

63

64 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

were $25,000,000 worth of buildings and other improvements, containing exhibits
valued at $100,000,000.

In October, 1890, the Committee on Grounds and Buildings appointed Mr.