Long Beach 1928: Entrance Dome & Garden Court.....

To create the appearance of an actual Tunisian city, architect Hugh R. Davies designed the exterior walls of the Pacific Southwest Exposition as plain and unadorned. The feel of crossing a barren desert was simulated by placing a vast unpaved parking-lot at the end of Seventh Street, on the east side of the exposition grounds. At the west side of the parking lot was located a long white unadorned facade, forming the outer wall of the the exposition palaces. At the center of this wall was placed the main entrance to the exposition, consisting of a large square pavilion containing a Moorish-style arch, and topped with a massive chalk-white dome. At each end of the outer wall was located a smaller domed pavilion, marking the corners of the exhibit palaces. After passing through the turnstiles, located within the domed entrance pavilion, a lushly landscaped garden-court suddenly appeared. This gravel-paved court contained spacious lawns, planted with shrubs, flowers, and several large palms. Surrounding the court, on three sides, was a long Moorish-style arcade roofed with mission-tile. At two corners of the arcade were located octagon-shaped towers, topped with small latticed minarets. On the south side of the court a large square pavilion, with a Moorish-style arch, formed a gateway leading to the Avenue of Nations; while a similar pavilion and arch, on the court's north side, opened into the Palace of Education & Liberal Arts. On the east side of the court, on either side of the main entrance, were located the exposition's administrative offices, a large banquet hall, and a cafeteria.