Ferris Wheel

Daniel Burnham sought to rival the debut of the Eiffel Tower at the previous World’s Fair in Paris.

Civil engineer George Ferris invented a giant movable wheel, the first of its kind ever built. At night, the wheel was lit by approximately 2,500 bulbs and could be seen from across the fairgrounds. The Ferris Wheel would carry 2.5 million people from around the world to experience the Fair from on high.

Ferris Wheel

Before you entered the Horticultural Hall, you were welcomed by a beautiful flower terrace. When you entered the building itself, you were surrounded by shrubs and flowering plants. Atop the center pavilion was a crystal dome, 117 feet high and 187 feet wide. Underneath the dome were massive palm trees, towering bamboo, and huge ferns. The many galleries featured viticulture, pomology, floriculture, and also wines to sample and enjoy throughout.