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San Diego 1936: The Exposition's Second Season.....

2009-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

After the close of a successful 5-1/2 month long 1935 season, it was decided to re-open the California-Pacific International Exposition for a second season. Numerous changes were made to the grounds, buildings, attractions, and night illumination to create a totally new experience for 1936. Along the Avenida de Palacios a majority of the Blackwood acacia trees were removed to provide better views of the buildings, and additional landscaping was added. Many new exhibits were also introduced, and the House of Charm was re-named the Palace of International Art, and the Palace of Photography became the Palace of Medical Science. Within the House of Hospitality, the second floor loggia, located at the west side of the central patio, was enclosed with large glass doors; and the rear portion of the Casa del Rey Moro Café was enlarged to provide more indoor dining space. The most noticeable changes were made to the Palisades section, located south-west of the Avenida de Palacios. The Plaza de America was completely re-designed with a double-row of Queen Palms planted at either side, bordering a vast garden of multi-colored flowers; and the Firestone Fountains were replaced with the new Rainbow Fountains. Several buildings were also re-named and a majority of new exhibits added. The Palace of Travel, Transportation and Water became the Palace of Electricity and Water; the Standard Oil Tower to the Sun was re-named the Standard Oil Natural Parks Tower; the Hollywood Motion Picture Hall of Fame became the Palace of Entertainment; and the Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries was changed to the General Exhibits Building. At the south end of the Plaza de America, the large Ford Motor Company Building was transformed into the Palace of Transportation. Ford had relocated their extensive exhibits to the Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas, so the building's interior was re-designed to house an exhibit showing the history of transportation, from primitive times to the present. At the north-east portion of the grounds, the former site of the Casa de Tempo became a children's amusement area known as Enchanted Land; and the center section of Spanish Village was transformed into a large open patio. The Zocalo was re-designed in a moderne-style, surrounding a large landscaped plaza; and included completely new attractions such as "Hollywood Secrets" (showing modern technology used in making movies), the Danse Follies (a musical extravaganza), Big Top Circus (a revised midget show), Strange as it Seems (replacing Ripley's Believe it or Not), and the "Days of '49 Stockade" (replacing the ribald Gold Gulch). Despite much controversy, the Zoro Gardens nudist colony was retained due to its generation of revenue for the exposition. Dramatic new night lighting was introduced for the 1936 season, which used mobile-lighting to paint the buildings and trees in a vast spectrum of changing colors. Unique lighting was also added to Palm Canyon and the Alcazar Gardens which created a "firefly effect" surrounding the landscaping; and a revolving beacon, located atop the tower of the Palace of Science, flashed beams of white light visible for sixty-miles. Facing the Plaza de America, the Palace of Transportation was illuminated in translucent-blue, topped by a glowing gold rim; and further enhanced by the Rainbow Fountains, which displayed ever-changing patterns of water in misty multi-colored sprays.

San Diego 1935: Globe Theatre.....

2009-04-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Globe Theatre was located in the area north of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Palace of Science, and modeled after the historic half-timber and thatched-roof London theatre, originally constructed in 1599. The two-level circular structure was open to the sky at the center, similar to the original, and contained a performance stage surrounded by wooden benches seating 600 persons. 45-minute abridged versions of famous Shakespearean plays were presented six times daily to attentive audiences; while hourly performances of English country dances took place on the "village green" situated immediately in front of the building. Adjacent to the theatre were the Falstaff Tavern, serving authentic English food and drink; and the Old Curiosity Shop, where imported English pottery, silver, and many varieties of curios could be purchased.

San Diego 1935: Gold Gulch.....

2009-04-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

The California-Pacific International Exposition's Gold Gulch was a simulated Western mining town covering twenty-one acres in the canyon south-west of Zoro Gardens. Within the town were to be seen all the thrills and excitement of a typical settlement in "the rip-roarin' days of '49". Visitors could ride stage-coaches which rumbled down narrow dirt roads past the Shooting Gallery, Blacksmith Shop, Horse-Shoe Ring, Old Stamp Mill, Pioneer Dance Hall, Bull-Fighting Ring, Cigar Shop, Tin-Type Gallery, Chuck-Wagon Restaurant, and a variety of merchandise and food stands. Among the many live attractions found in Gold Gulch were burro rides, "shoot-outs" performed by pioneer-garbed miners, simulated arrests and hangings, tobacco-spitting contests, and risqué entertainment performed by Gold Gulch Gertie.

San Diego 1935: Zoro Gardens.....

2009-04-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Zoro Gardens was located in the canyon at the south end of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Espana, immediately east of the Palace of Better Housing. Known popularly as the "nudist colony", the picturesque gardens were occupied by long-haired topless women and bearded loin-clothed men dedicated to the freedom of outdoor living. The occupants referred to themselves as "Zoros" and performed all the various tasks of daily life, in addition to pseudo-religious rituals worshipping their Sun God, Zoro. The gardens contained landscaped terraces, cobblestoned walls, a waterfall and pool, and an open-air kitchen where vegetarian meals were prepared. Daily programs, consisting of dances and athletic demonstrations, were performed on a large circular stage for the scores of exposition visitors who flocked to the gardens.

San Diego 1935: The Zocalo.....

2009-04-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

The California-Pacific International Exposition's amusement section was located immediately north of Spanish Village, and was known as The Zocalo. Situated along both sides of the long thoroughfare were numerous attractions such as "Miss America" (a colorful beauty pageant show), Ripley's Believe it or Not (an "Odditorium" of humans performing amazing and grotesque feats), Crime Never Pays (featuring John Dillinger's bullet-proof limousine), "Stella" (a life-like painting), Lens Wonders of the World (photographic masterpieces from around the world), Snake Farm (a collection of rare and unusual reptiles), Venetian Glass Blowers (showing the art of glass-blowing), Sexsation (an illusion show), Midget Village (occupied by scores of "little people"), Egyptian Village (featuring Egyptian and Syrian arts and crafts), and "End of the Trail" (featuring 150 Indians from 30 tribes located throughout the United States - housed within the Indian Village remaining from the 1915-16 exposition). Interspersed among the attractions were also rides such as "Bailout" (a parachute jump), Laff in the Dark (a funhouse tunnel-ride), Loop-O-Plane (an aerial thrill ride), Swooper (an elevated spinning ride), and Toyland (a collection of rides designed for children). The Zocalo also contained several shows such as the "Globe of Death" (motorcycle dare-devils performing within a globe of latticed steel), Log Rollers (lumberjacks exhibiting their log-rolling skills), and the "Days of Saladin" (Arabian horses performing amidst colorful pomp and pageantry). An additional exposition attraction, located adjacent to The Zocalo, was the San Diego Zoological Gardens; which contained hundreds of primates, mammals, birds, and reptiles on display within a vast garden of rare plants and trees.

San Diego 1935: Spanish Village.....

2009-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Spanish Village was situated along the northern section of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Espana, and occupied the former site of the 1915-16 exposition's Southern California Model Citrus Grove. The large enclosure was designed to create the illusion of old Spain, and contained narrow cobblestoned streets lined with low thick-walled buildings featuring weathered walls, tile roofs, arched doorways, grilled windows, overhanging balconies, wrought-iron lighting fixtures, and colorful flower-pots and awnings. Throughout the village were located more than fifty stores and shops selling a variety of handcrafted items, such as jewelry, pottery, and various types of artwork; in addition to a small art museum which contained a private collection of rare Spanish works of art, valued at more than $300,000. Small food stands sold candies, pastries, and other edibles; and a large restaurant, specializing in authentic Spanish cuisine, featured continuous live entertainment and dancing. Opposite Spanish Village, on the west side of the Avenida de Espana, was located the Hollywood Potteries Building; which contained many varieties of unique pottery and dinnerware, crafted by California artists.

San Diego 1935: Shell Oil Company Building.....

2009-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Shell Oil Company Building was located on the east side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Espana, immediately north of the Palace of Natural History. Featured within the large shell-shaped structure, copied from the Shell Oil Company trademark, was a thirty-eight foot long electrically-animated highway map, depicting the geographical area from the Pacific Ocean east to the Rocky Mountains, and from Canada south to Mexico. Several murals illustrated historical scenes of transportation in the west; and a fully-staffed information center provided detailed information about the exposition, as well as road maps for every state in the Union. The Shell Oil Company Building was flanked on the south by the Boulder Dam exhibit building, featuring a detailed working scale-model of the enormous dam; and on the north by the Life in San Diego building, a local publication which provided information about events and tourist attractions in the San Diego area.

San Diego 1935: Casa de Tempo.....

2009-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Casa de Tempo was a large California-Monterey style model home located on the west side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Espana, on the former site of the 1915-16 exposition's Cristobal Café; immediately north of the Palace of Foods and Beverages, and east of the Japanese Tea Garden. The sprawling two-level residence, designed by the architectural firm of Jackson & Hamill, contained twelve rooms; in addition to four bathrooms, a powder room, and an adjoining two-car garage. The entire home was valued at $50,000, which included the modified Georgian-style "Tempo" furnishings, provided by Barker Brothers of Los Angeles. At the front of the home, a wide Colonial-style door opened into an oval entrance hall, containing a curving stairway leading to the second floor. Two large doorways, located at either end of the hall, opened into the formal dining room on the left; and a spacious living room, with fireplace, on the right. A square library, paneled in burl-finished "Presdwood" attached with horizontal copper stripping, opened at the front of the living room; and two sets of French-doors provided access to a broad terrace located at the rear of the home. Adjoining the formal dining room was a modern kitchen and pantry, which connected to an airy breakfast room, laundry room, and maid's room with bath. The first floor also contained a large powder room and coat closet, opening from the oval entrance hall. On the second floor were two large bedrooms, with connecting compartmented bath; in addition to a spacious master suite, complete with attached boudoir and two full bathrooms. A long narrow balcony, situated at the front of the residence, opened from the master bedroom and stair hall; and a tiled open-air deck, located over the laundry and maid's rooms, was accessed from the rear bedroom. Featured throughout the home were the latest trends in modern design and comfort, which included natural gas heating with central ventilation system, a natural gas range and refrigerator, vitreous china sinks and sanitary fixtures, chrome-plated red brass plumbing fixtures, "Carrara" structural glass tile, "Presdwood" paneling, cushioned flooring, textured carpeting, aluminum window blinds, acoustical plaster, long-lasting paint, and composition shingle roofing.

San Diego 1935: Japanese Tea Garden.....

2009-04-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Japanese Tea Garden was located north of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Botanical Building and Gardens, and remained from the 1915-16 exposition. The high-roofed and paper-lantern decorated Buddhist-style pavilion, situated within the lush gardens, provided a restful place for exposition visitors to pause and enjoy a cup of tea, fortune-cookies, or a variety of Japanese dishes, served by kimono-clad maidens. The adjoining gardens were filled with meandering paths, bridge-spanned waterways, and koi-filled ponds bordered by towering bamboo, trailing wisteria, manicured cedars and pines, delicate mosses, unique bonsai, stepping-stones, rocks, stone lanterns, and ceremonial water basins.

San Diego 1935: Firestone Fountains.....

2009-04-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Firestone Fountains, sponsored by the Firestone Tire Company, were the centerpiece of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Plaza de America; and were situated north of the Ford Motor Company Building, between the Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries and the California State Building. The group of six mechanically-controlled fountains, located within a low rectangular basin measuring 120-feet long and 20-feet wide, were bordered by colorful beds of flowers spelling the name "Firestone", and broad lawns surrounded by benches for seating. Two small Mayan-style pavilions, located at the southern edge of a flower-garden immediately north of the fountains, contained electric speakers which provided the melodic sounds which controlled the rise and fall of the misty fountain-sprays. Both recorded and live music, from the nearby Ford Bowl, were used to present shows featuring synchronized water and melody; further enhanced during the evening hours by the addition of rainbows of colored light, causing the various hues of the fountains to merge and change, from bright plumes of red and orange to cooler sprays of blue and green, in harmony with the tone and pitch of the music. The Firestone Tire Company was also represented by a comprehensive exhibit located within the Ford Motor Company Building.

San Diego 1935: Ford Bowl.....

2009-04-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Ford Bowl was located east of the Ford Motor Company Building, immediately south of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries. Within the modern acoustically-designed 3000-seat amphitheatre were presented numerous concerts and musical programs, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company. Among the many featured performers were the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. A novel feature of the Ford Bowl was the newly invented Hammond Electronic Organ, upon which unique organ concerts were presented.

San Diego 1935: Ford Motor Company Building.....

2009-04-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Situated at the south end of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Plaza de America was the reinforced-concrete Ford Motor Company Building, designed by industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague to represent the latest trend in modern 20th-century industrial architecture. The massive structure was designed in the shape of a massive "8", with a ninety-foot high blue-ribbed rotunda forming the entrance, and providing access to a circular 300-foot diameter exhibit hall. The interior of the rotunda featured two large vertical murals representing "The Spirit of America" and "The Spirit of Asia", and a revolving hemisphere composed of twelve dioramas showing the use of Ford automobiles in various countries bordering the Pacific. In the main exhibit hall the entire process of constructing a modern Ford automobile was explained in detail, from the extraction of the raw materials from the earth to the completed product. Also prominently displayed in the hall were three historic Ford cars, consisting of Henry Ford's first motor-car, constructed in 1893; the first Ford Model-A, built in 1905; and the first Ford Model-T, introduced in 1908. At the building's center was located a spacious open-air flagstone-paved patio, containing shade-trees, flowers, and shrubbery; in addition to a large splashing fountain in the shape of a "V-8", symbolizing the innovative Ford V-8 engine, flanked by displays of the latest models of Ford automobiles. At the rear of the building a broad terrace provided panoramic views of the city and bay of San Diego, and overlooked the half-mile long "Roads of the Pacific", where modern Ford cars were demonstrated along 200-foot sections of fourteen historic roads, reproduced from famous byways found in the Pacific region. At night the front portion of the building was bathed in white-light, from neon-tubes hidden within the hollow steel ribs circling the rotunda; and four enormous groups of letters spelling "FORD", situated around the rotunda's top-rim, glowed in red.

San Diego 1935: California State Building.....

2009-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

The California State Building was situated on the west side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Plaza de America, adjacent to the Hollywood Motion Picture Hall of Fame. Architect Richard Requa designed the structure to represent the similarities in mass and form between ancient Mayan, Indian Pueblo and modern 20th-century architecture. The large rectangular building featured plain unadorned walls, decorated with vine-filled planter boxes at the parapet level, and a central concave entrance portal, decorated with Mayan style fibre-wallboard ornamentation. Four large vertical panels, created from squares of fibre-wallboard painted and varnished to imitate polychrome tile, were located above the entrance and depicted symbolic scenes of the story of California. Within the spacious building California's agriculture, commerce, industry, education, architecture, art, communications, highways, and police and military organizations were represented by many comprehensive displays. A detailed relief-map illustrated the state's water resources and the central valley water project; while several large murals portrayed California's history and lore.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries.....

2009-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries was located on the east side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Plaza de America, immediately south of the Federal Building. Architect Richard Requa designed the structure to represent the similarities in mass and form between ancient Mayan, Aztec and modern 20th-century architecture. The large rectangular building consisted of plain unadorned walls, decorated with vine-filled planter boxes at the parapet level; while centered along the front facade was a large projecting marquee-style entrance portal, decorated with Mayan and Aztec style fibre-wallboard ornamentation. The floor of the building's entrance featured a colored-concrete panel representing "Electricity and Industry", and a large verdigris-finished panel, located over the entrance, depicted various forms of industry, carved in high-relief. Within the building were located many electrical and industrial exhibits, the main feature of which was the "House of Magic" where popcorn was popped with ice and music transmitted over a beam of light, among other amazing wonders. Electrical demonstrations were presented in a 300-seat theatre, where lecturers explained the intricate details of modern electrical science; while a large-scale "Electric Farm" showed how electricity could be used to improve rural living.

San Diego 1935: Palisades Café.....

2009-03-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palisades Café was located at the north end of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Plaza de America, immediately west of the Standard Oil Tower to the Sun. The low Pueblo-style structure featured a deeply-arched entrance portal opening into a large rectangular patio, which contained numerous dining tables covered by brightly colored umbrellas and awnings. Situated along two sides of the open-air patio were several indoor dining rooms, a bar, and cocktail lounge with a dance floor. The entire facility was capable of accommodating several hundred persons, and was second in size only to the Café of the World, located on the Plaza del Pacifico.

San Diego 1935: Hollywood Motion Picture Hall of Fame.....

2009-03-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Hollywood Motion Picture Hall of Fame was located at the north-west corner of the Plaza de America, along the west side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Naciones. Architect Richard Requa designed the structure in an Indian Pueblo-style to compliment the nearby Palace of Education, which was situated immediately north of the building. Simulated adobe walls, small square windows, projecting wood vigas, and tall wood-pole ladders created the illusion of an ancient Pueblo-style structure; which was enhanced by desert landscaping consisting of many varieties of cacti and aloe. Large red letters spelling "Hollywood" sat at the top of the front facade, above a rectangular entrance portal, proclaiming the nature of the displays located within. The interior contained a large motion-picture memorabilia museum featuring hundreds of items, including Shirley Temple's shoes; and a motion-picture sound stage, where live Hollywood performances were rehearsed and filmed.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Education.....

2009-03-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Education was originally constructed as the New Mexico State Building for the 1915-16 exposition, and was located on the west side of the Avenida de Naciones, which passed by the western side of the House of Pacific Relations. For the California-Pacific International Exposition the Pueblo-style building was doubled in size by the addition of a large wing at the rear of the structure, and the interior was completely remodeled. The building's former open-air patio was enclosed, and became the educational exhibit's Theme Room. At the center of the square Theme Room was placed an octagonal fountain, created by sculptor Frederick Shweigardt, representing "The Four Cornerstones of American Democracy"; while the room's rear wall featured a large mural, painted by local artist Belle Baranceanu, depicting "The Progress of Man". Exhibits in the building represented all aspects of education, and included displays from the University of California system and various State Colleges, in addition to exhibits illustrating business education, industrial education, physical education, art education, education of the deaf and blind, journalism, navigation, and many other educational fields. At the rear of the building was located a large cactus garden, containing many varieties of cacti and other desert plants.

San Diego 1935: Standard Oil Tower to the Sun.....

2009-03-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Standard Oil Tower to the Sun was located at the north end of the Plaza de America, across from the California-Pacific International Exposition's Federal Building. The Mayan-style structure consisted of a rectangular exhibit building, edged with vine-filled planter boxes situated along the parapet, and a three-sided 108-foot high tower, covered with geometrically-patterned ornamentation copied from ancient Yucatan monuments. The building's main entrance was located at the base of the tower, facing north toward El Prado, and was flanked by walls covered with Mayan-style ornamentation. Colorful murals were located above both the curved main entrance and a secondary entrance facing south toward the Plaza de America, and illustrated the beauties of nature found throughout the western National Parks. Colored flood-lighting illuminated the building during the evening hours, creating patterned shadows upon the fibre-wallboard ornamentation. The building's interior contained murals and dioramas depicting National Park scenes; and a small theatre showed a series of motion-pictures describing the natural wonders of the various National Parks.

San Diego 1935: Federal Building.....

2009-03-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

The California-Pacific International Exposition's Federal Building was located at the north-east corner of the Plaza de America, facing El Prado; and was designed as a permanent reinforced-concrete structure, to be converted into a theatre after the close of the exposition. Architect Richard Requa based the design of the building on the Palace of the Governor, located within the ancient Mayan settlement of Uxmal, in Yucatan, Mexico. The massive square building featured a low front wing with a triangular-shaped entrance portal, containing a colorful window of reverse-painted glass depicting a standing Mayan priest and a crouching submissive Indian. Flanking the entrance were low towers scored to resemble large stone blocks, covered at their upper levels with elaborately massed and colored Mayan-style ornamentation, created from fibre-wallboard. Wide geometrically-patterned cornices surrounded the structure's two roof levels, and a columned Mayan-style portico overlooked a small tropical garden situated at the rear of the building. The spacious interior contained exhibits representing more than twenty departments of the United States Government.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Travel, Transportation and Water.....

2009-03-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Travel, Transportation and Water was located on the east side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's El Prado, south-west of the Organ Amphitheatre. Architect Richard Requa designed the large exhibit structure, which combined elements of both modern and pre-Columbian architecture. The building's main entrance faced El Prado, and consisted of a large rectangular portal enhanced with geometrically patterned Mayan-style ornamentation; while three colorful panels, located above the entrance, illustrated several modes of travel and transportation. Situated north of the building were the spacious California Gardens, filled with large beds of many varieties of flowers grown within the state. At the building's north-east corner, facing the California Gardens, was a second uniquely designed entrance, featuring three cascading waterfalls; at the top of which was situated a colorful stylized-mask of Aztec origin, flanked by large letters spelling "Water Palace". At night the structure was bathed in colored light from concealed sources, and the north entrance was reflected in a Moorish-style pool, surrounded by large decorative urns. Within the building were located numerous exhibits telling the story of advances made in travel and transportation during the past four-hundred years; which included comprehensive displays by the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads. In the Water Palace section of the building the Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District Company featured an exhibit explaining its project of supplying water to Southern California from the soon to be completed Boulder Dam.

San Diego 1935: Plaza de America.....

2009-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Situated at the center of the Palisades section was the spacious Plaza de America, surrounded by many of the California-Pacific International Exposition's new exhibit structures. The Plaza de America consisted of a large rectangular space containing lawns, colorful flowers, and many varieties of trees and shrubbery; with broad roadways and walks providing access to the exhibit buildings, many of which were decorated with Aztec and Mayan-style ornamentation. Hollywood set-designer Juan Larrinaga decorated the new structures using fibre-wallboard; which was glued together in several layers, cut and carved into various shapes, mounted onto ply-board, coated with a waterproofing solution, and finished with cement-paint. The unique multi-colored ornamentation was then attached to the stuccoed walls of buildings to create decorative panels, cornices, and moldings. The structures located around the Plaza de America consisted of the Palace of Travel, Transportation, and Water; Federal Building; Standard Oil Tower to the Sun; Palace of Education; Hollywood Motion Picture Hall of Fame; Palisades Café; Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries; California State Building; and the ultra-modern Ford Motor Company Building and adjacent Ford Bowl. The plaza's centerpiece was the Firestone Fountains, which produced misty-sprays of water synchronized to rise and fall with the melodies of both recorded and live music. By night, the fountains were illuminated in rainbow hues using sophisticated underwater lighting; and were complimented by the colored lighting projected upon the surrounding buildings and landscaping.

San Diego 1935: House of Pacific Relations.....

2009-03-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Situated on the west side of the Callé Prensa, across from the Christian Science Monitor Building, was a group of fifteen small structures known collectively as the House of Pacific Relations. The tile-roofed Mediterranean-style cottages, located on the former site of the 1915-16 exposition's Montana State Building, were arranged around a tree-shaded park and housed representatives of the twenty-one nations that participated in the California-Pacific International Exposition. A curved row of flagstaffs, placed at the main entrance to the House of Pacific Relations group, flew the colorful flags of the participating nations; while a meandering pathway circled the landscaped park and provided access to the various national cottages. The countries of England, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Portugal, Italy, China, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Chile, Uruguay, Honduras, Paraguay, Nicaragua, and Argentina shared their unique customs and cultures in a spirit of international peace and amity. During the course of the exposition each participating nation presented a two-day program, broadcast by radio throughout the United States, highlighting the characteristic music, songs, and dances of its people.

San Diego 1935: Christian Science Monitor Building.....

2009-03-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Christian Science Monitor Building was situated south-west of the Organ Amphitheatre along the Callé Prensa, formerly the eastern portion of the Via de los Estados during the 1915-16 exposition. The modest two-level Spanish-style structure featured an arched entrance-portal, a small roof-garden, and Mission-tile roofs. The interior was dedicated to the teachings of Christian Science, and contained historical displays, a Christian Science reading room, and a special section devoted to the writings of founder Mary Baker Eddy. The building was flanked on the south by the moderne-style Latter Day Saints Building; and on the north by the California-Mission style Press Building, which had previously been the Kansas State / Theosophical Building during the 1915-16 exposition.

San Diego 1935: Organ Amphitheatre.....

2009-03-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Organ Amphitheatre was located within the spacious Plaza del Organo, which adjoined the Plaza del Pacifico at the south end of the flower-bordered Esplanade. For the California-Pacific International Exposition the Plaza del Organo, formerly known as the Plaza de los Estados, was partially enclosed by the addition of a low curved wall bordered by colorful landscaping. A decorative wall-fountain, resembling one located along the Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, was also added and faced north toward the Esplanade; while a new roadway, named El Prado, skirted the enclosed plaza's north-western side connecting the Esplanade to the Palisades area, located south-west of the Organ Amphitheatre. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion, remaining from the 1915-16 exposition, was improved by the addition of amplification equipment and a new console; and a temporary extension of the pavilion's stage accommodated larger groups of performers. During the evening hours a rotating beacon of colored search-lights, placed atop the pavilion's roof, created a simulated "aurora borealis" effect, visible for many miles surrounding the exposition grounds.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Natural History.....

2009-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Natural History was situated immediately adjacent to the California-Pacific International Exposition's main entrance, on the north side of the Avenida de Palacios. The large Spanish-Renaissance style reinforced-concrete structure, designed by architect William Templeton Johnson, was built on the site of the former Civic Auditorium; known as the Southern California Counties Building during the 1915-16 exposition. After the Civic Auditorium was destroyed by fire in 1925, local philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps donated the funds necessary to construct the three-level building, which was named the Natural History Museum and opened to the public in 1933. Over 300,000 specimens of wildlife, shells, fossils, minerals, and flora were contained within the spacious structure; in addition to a complete research library and laboratory. The Civilian Conservation Corps also maintained a comprehensive exhibit in the building during the exposition.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Foods and Beverages.....

2009-03-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Foods and Beverages was located directly across from the Palace of Better Housing, on the north side of the Avenida de Palacios, and had been known as the Varied Industries and Food Products / Foreign and Domestic Industries Building during the 1915-16 exposition. For the California-Pacific International Exposition the large L-shaped building was filled with displays from numerous manufacturers and distributors of food products. One of the most prominent exhibits was that of Coca-Cola, whose display featured an enormous "Fountain of Light" situated over a counter where bottles of Coca-Cola were sold. Chase and Sanborn Coffee, Royal Baking Powder, Globe "A-1" Flour, Fleischmann's Yeast, Kraft Cheese Products, Challenge Butter, Spreckels Sugar, Sparkletts Water, Beechnut Gum, and National Biscuit Co. were among more than fifty exhibitors who displayed their products within the building.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Better Housing.....

2009-03-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Better Housing was situated on the south side of the Avenida de Palacios, immediately east of the House of Hospitality, and had been known as the Commerce and Industries / Canadian Building during the 1915-16 exposition. Within the commodious structure were located displays assembled by numerous manufacturers of home improvement products; ranging from asphalt roofing and porcelain bathroom fixtures, to furniture and fencing. At the rear of the building, in a tree-shaded park, was located the extensive two-part exhibit of the Federal Housing Administration. The "Modeltown" portion of the exhibit featured detailed scale-models of modern homes, each with a plaque describing the many features of the building, the materials used, and the exact cost of its construction. The 56 model-homes on display were designed by a variety of outstanding Southern California architects. The second portion of the exhibit was known as "Modernization Magic", and contained scale-model representations of dilapidated buildings; each of which suddenly changed, by a clever mechanical device, into a completely remodeled modern structure. A full-scale modern home, constructed entirely of steel, was also located in the F.H.A. exhibit; while live radio programs were broadcast from the Radio Exhibit's outdoor-theatre, located along the Palace of Better Housing's south facade.

San Diego 1935: Botanical Building and Gardens.....

2009-03-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Botanical Building and Gardens were located on the north side of the Avenida de Palacios, between the Café of the World and the Palace of Foods and Beverages. The large redwood-lath covered building, and the adjoining Botanical Gardens, functioned much the same for the California-Pacific International Exposition as they had during the 1915-16 exposition. Rare varieties of tropical plants, ferns, vines, and delicate flowers thrived within the building and its heated conservatory; while the gardens outside were planted with many types of palms and flowering shrubs. A fountain was added to the small lagoon, directly in front of the building, which produced sprays of water in a rainbow of changing colors during the evening hours. The large water-lily filled Laguna de las Flores, extending towards Avenida de Palacios, was re-named Laguna de Espejo because of its smooth mirror-like surface which reflected picturesque views of the surrounding architecture and landscaping.

San Diego 1935: House of Hospitality.....

2009-03-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

The House of Hospitality was situated across from the Café of the World, at the south-east corner of the Plaza del Pacifico and the Avenida de Palacios, and had been known as the Foreign and Domestic Arts / Foreign Arts Building during the 1915-16 exposition. The structure was extensively remodeled, prior to the California-Pacific International Exposition, using the insurance compensation received after the Civic Auditorium fire of 1925. In the building's re-design, architect Richard Requa placed an open-air patio at the center, added a second floor, and created a terraced garden on the south side facing the canyon, where a projecting wing of the building had been removed due to deterioration. The rectangular interior patio was based on one found in Guadalajara, Mexico; and contained a paved court with palm and tropical-plant filled planter-beds at each corner, surrounded by arched open-galleries. An octagon-shaped polychrome-tile covered fountain was placed at the patio's center; and featured a stone representation of a native Mexican woman, created by local sculptor Donal Hord, pouring water from an olla into a tiled pool. A small stone well, with a wrought-iron exedra, was located at the south-east corner of the patio; and multi-color glazed pots, filled with varieties of flowers, were hung from the patio's iron railings. On the south side of the building was situated a triple-terraced garden, copied from one in Ronda, Spain, known as the Casa del Rey Moro Garden. The rectangular upper terrace, adjoining the building's arched two-level south gallery, was paved in herringbone-patterned brick and flanked by two vine-covered pergolas. At the center of the terrace was a polychrome-tile fountain, with a delicately perforated imitation-alabaster fountain-head. Two iron-railed brick stairways led down to the middle terrace, which was faced by a semi-circular fountain niche, surrounded with colorful tile. The middle terrace contained two large flower-filled planter-beds, edged with ball-shaped shrubs. A pair of curving iron-railed brick stairways led to the lower terrace; which contained four small planter-beds, a brick-bordered lily-pond, and a stone well with a double-column supported exedra. Curved benches, built into the garden's low retaining wall, overlooked the lushly landscaped canyon below. The interior of the House of Hospitality contained several beautifully decorated meeting and banquet rooms, offices for exposition officials, and a 600-seat auditorium. The auditorium was accessed from the central patio, and entered through a massive set of panelled and stencilled doors, surrounded by a wide intricately-carved stone frame. The Casa del Rey Moro Café, located on the south side of the building's ground-floor, contained a spacious and colorfully-stencilled Spanish-style dining room; and also featured al-fresco dining, beneath floral-patterned umbrellas, on the Casa del Rey Moro Garden's upper terrace.

San Diego 1935: Café of the World.....

2009-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

The California-Pacific International Exposition's Café of the World was located at the north-east corner of the Plaza del Pacifico and the Avenida de Palacios, and was known as the Home Economy / Pan-Pacific Building during the 1915-16 exposition. The interior, which had a total seating capacity of 1,250 persons, contained a restaurant with a large main dining room, two 70-foot long oval-shaped cocktail bars, and a corner coffee shop. The restaurant's dining room, seating 850 guests, was designed to represent an open-air Spanish courtyard, and featured a simulated sky overhead and support-columns disguised as palm trees. The deluxe restaurant featured international cuisine from various countries of the world, in addition to continuous cabaret entertainment and a large dance-floor. The two cocktail bars were presided over by twenty "international" bartenders, who served mixed drinks priced at 35-cents each; while the coffee shop served simple meals, and was open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Fine Arts.....

2009-03-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Fine Arts was located at the north end of the Plaza del Pacifico, and stood on the former site of the 1915-16 exposition's Sacramento Valley Counties / United States Government Building. Prior to the California-Pacific International Exposition the Spanish-Renaissance style reinforced-concrete structure, designed by architect William Templeton Johnson, was known as the Fine Arts Gallery; and completed in 1926. An imposing arched entrance portal, surrounded by delicate Plateresque ornamentation, provided access to the two-level building; which featured hundreds of works-of-art. Opening from a large main foyer, containing an ornate fountain, were several galleries containing Old World and contemporary paintings; in addition to fine displays of sculpture, tapestries, mosaics, carvings, metalwork, jewelry, painted fabrics, prints, and rare bindings. The building also contained a modern craft-ware exhibit; featuring pottery, glassware, and other items produced by several local artists.

San Diego 1935: Plaza del Pacifico.....

2009-03-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

The California-Pacific International Exposition's Plaza del Pacifico was a spacious tree-bordered quadrangle that had been known as the Plaza de Panama during the 1915-16 exposition. The attractive plaza was flanked by the House of Charm and Palace of Photography on the west side; and the House of Hospitality and Café of the World on the east. Situated at the north end of the plaza was the imposing Palace of Fine Arts; while the opposite end was dominated by a bronze equestrian statue of El Cid, the Conqueror, placed atop a lofty concrete pedestal. The central feature of the plaza was a fifty-foot high tile-roofed structure known as the Arco del Porvenir, containing a broad arch which spanned the Avenida de Palacios. At the structure's north and south sides were placed large reflecting pools, elevated above the level of the surrounding plaza and bordered by greenery and flowers. The Arco del Porvenir's main purpose was to serve as an unobtrusive source for the Plaza del Pacifico's night-time colored flood-lighting, in addition to functioning as a control-room for the exposition's central public address system. By night the towers, buildings, and trees surrounding the plaza were painted with a rainbow of light projected from the upper-story of the Arco del Porvenir; while the reflecting pools below glowed from hidden underwater lights in a myriad of colors.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Photography.....

2009-03-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Photography was located on the north side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Palacios, between the Palace of Science and the Plaza del Pacifico; and was originally named the Science and Education Building during the 1915-16 exposition. Over 500 exceptional photographic prints, selected from thousands submitted to the Fifth Annual Salon of Photography, were shown; in addition to displays from various manufacturers of photographic supplies and equipment. The Eastman Kodak Company exhibit illustrated the history of photography, and also featured a small motion-picture theatre where news events of the exposition were presented. Eastman Kodak also introduced its new "fool-proof" Kodachrome color film, for use in small movie cameras, which could be purchased in the complete photographic supply store located within the building.

San Diego 1935: House of Charm.....

2009-03-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

The House of Charm was situated on the south side of the Avenida de Palacios, between the Alcazar Gardens and the Plaza del Pacifico; and was known as the Indian Arts / Russia and Brazil Building during the 1915-16 exposition. The building's unique name for the California-Pacific International Exposition was given due to the nature of the exhibits contained within, which were of special appeal to women. Numerous manufacturers of cosmetics, lingerie, gloves, shoes, purses, frocks, and other items of feminine interest displayed their wares in the building. Lectures and demonstrations were also presented on the subjects of home economics and cosmetology.

San Diego 1935: Alcazar Gardens.....

2009-03-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Alcazar Gardens were located on the south side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Palacios, immediately east of the Palace of Science, and occupied the area known as the Montezuma Gardens during the 1915-16 exposition. The colorful gardens were patterned after those within the enclosure of the Royal Alcazar in Seville, Spain; and featured large boxwood hedge-framed planter-beds, divided by three paved cross-avenues. At the two intersections of the avenues were situated low polychrome tile-covered fountains, each featuring a decorative fountain-head which spurted water into a shallow tile-lined basin. Four tile-covered benches were located at right-angles surrounding each fountain; and a Roman-style pergola, remaining from the Montezuma Gardens, stood at the west end of the garden. Along the garden's south side were situated two prominent Spanish Renaissance-style gateways, both leading to pathways surrounding a spacious lawn overlooking Palm Canyon, which was spanned by a rustic wooden bridge. At the Alcazar Garden's south-west corner was a smaller gateway. This gateway opened to a path leading to a curved rustic pergola overlooking Cabrillo Canyon, situated along the west side of the exposition grounds.

San Diego 1935: Palace of Science.....

2009-03-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Located at the west end of the Avenida de Palacios, the Palace of Science occupied the former California State Building of the 1915-16 exposition, and faced the Plaza de Mexico; formerly named the Plaza de California. Prior to the California-Pacific International Exposition the permanent reinforced-concrete structure, with its tiled dome and two-hundred foot tower, contained the educational collections of the San Diego Museum. The museum temporarily re-arranged many of their permanent anthropological exhibits to accommodate new scientific displays for the duration of the exposition. Exhibits representing every branch of science, from the most abstract of pure science to the latest innovations in the applied sciences, were shown. One of the more popular displays in the building was "Alpha the Robot", a 2,000-pound chrome-plated steel giant, who performed numerous tasks upon simple spoken command.

San Diego 1935: The California-Pacific International Exposition.....

2009-03-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Several months after the closing of the 1916 Panama-California International Exposition, the majority of the remaining exposition buildings were converted into a temporary Naval Training Camp, due to the United States' involvement in the World War. The buildings were used as barracks and schools for thousands of new recruits, as well as offices for Navy personnel. By the early 1920's the structures were showing their age, due to both the elements and hard use by the Navy for several years; and monies were allotted by the City of San Diego to make necessary repairs. In 1921 the former Southern California Counties Building was converted into San Diego's first Civic Auditorium at great expense. However, the building was completely destroyed by fire on the evening of November 25th, 1925, just prior to the annual Fireman's Ball; and the Natural History Museum was constructed on the site in 1932. The exposition's Sacramento Valley Counties / United States Government Building was replaced by the permanent reinforced-concrete Fine Arts Gallery in 1926, with funds donated by Mr. and Mrs. Appleton Bridges. By Spring of 1933 many of the aging wood-framed "temporary" exposition buildings were in deplorable condition. Sagging foundations, termite and moisture damage, cracked and falling plaster, broken ornamentation, and leaking roofs plagued the structures, which were subsequently condemned by city inspectors. The citizenry of San Diego were appalled that the beloved buildings were soon to be demolished, and a massive public outcry convinced the city to attempt to save the structures until permanent replacements could be funded. Local architect Richard Requa was hired to prepare an independent estimate for repairs, after the city's repair estimates were found to be exorbitant. Mr. Requa proved that the buildings could be repaired for much less than what the city estimated, and extensive renovation work soon began. Within several months the exposition buildings once again looked new, with the addition of concrete footings and foundations, replacement of damaged wood, repaired plaster and ornamentation, new roofing, and waterproof painting of exteriors. Only the former San Joaquin Valley Counties Building, and the Kern and Tulare Counties Building, had been found to be beyond repair and were demolished. In 1934 an idea was conceived to stage a second exposition, taking advantage of the newly renovated 1915 structures. San Diego's economy was at a standstill, due to the Great Depression, and an exposition was seen as a way to both create jobs and stimulate spending. The second season of Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition was coming to a close, and exhibits could be easily transferred to San Diego at minimal expense. The public was appealed to, fundraising soon began, and by late 1934, planning of the California-Pacific International Exposition was underway; with an opening date set for May 29th, 1935. Since the existing exposition structures would not accommodate all the displays intended, an additional section was planned south-west of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and named the Palisades. New exposition structures in this area were designed in an architectural progression from ancient to modern, beginning with the simple Pueblo-styled Palace of Education, Hollywood Motion Picture Hall of Fame, and Palisades Cafe; contrasting with the Aztec and Mayan-styled Palace of Travel, Transportation and Water, Federal Building, and Standard Oil Tower to the Sun; continuing with the merging of ancient and modern styles in the Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries, and the California State Building; and culminating with the ultra-modern Ford Motor Company exhibit building. Smaller structures of simple Spanish design were introduced in the area west of the Organ Pavilion; such as the Christian Science Monitor Building, and a group of fifteen international cottages known as the House of Pacific Relations. El Prado was re-named Avenida de Palacios, and the existing 1915 buildings were enhanced with colorful awnings and banners. The Plaza de Panama became the Plaza del Pacifico; featuring a central tile-roofed structure, with a broad archway spanning the Avenida de Palacios, and flanked by two large reflecting pools. North-east of the Avenida de Palacios was the amusement zone, known as the "Zocalo"; which also extended south into Spanish Canyon, re-named "Gold Gulch", and contained a simulated old-west mining town. The high-point of the exposition was the extensive use of colored flood-lighting, which illuminated buildings and landscaping in a myriad of hues during the evening hours.

San Diego 1916: The Panama-California International Exposition

2009-03-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

During the final months of 1915, a decision was made to continue the Panama-California Exposition for a second year. Prior to the closing of San Francisco's Panama-Pacific International Exposition, on December 4th, plans were finalized to transfer many of the international exhibits to San Diego. The World War made it difficult to return a majority of European exhibits to their home countries, and the exposition in San Diego provided a temporary safe-haven for these displays, a number of which were art treasures. The first 2-1/2 months of 1916 were spent extensively re-arranging building interiors to accommodate the new exhibits, and the completely revised Panama-California International Exposition was dedicated on March 18th. The California State Building, being of permanent fire-proof construction, was utilized for the valuable art exhibits from France and Luxembourg; and many of the building's archaeological exhibits were relocated to the nearby Science and Education Building. The Indian Arts Building was re-named the Russia and Brazil Building, and contained the displays from those two countries. U.S. Forestry, Army, and Navy exhibits were placed in the former Sacramento Valley Counties Building, re-named the United States Government Building; and the adjacent Home Economy Building became the Pan-Pacific Building, and housed displays from Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, and the Philippine Islands. The former Foreign and Domestic Arts Building was re-named the Foreign Arts Building, and contained the exhibits of Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, India, Persia, Turkey, Egypt, and Japan. The spacious Commerce and Industries Building was cleared of its many domestic exhibits, and transformed into the Canadian Building; one feature of which was a flowing mountain stream stocked with fish and live beaver. Across from the Canadian Building, the former Varied Industries and Food Products Building became the Foreign and Domestic Industries Building, and contained displays from Holland, Switzerland, and several Central American countries, in addition to numerous exhibits from United States manufacturers. The Kansas State Building was converted into an educational center for the Theosophical Institute; and a new Spanish-Colonial style structure was built near the entrance to "The Isthmus", to house the United States Fisheries Exhibit. The former Open-Air Theatre and Tractor Exhibit Building, located at the north end of the Alameda, were replaced with an automobile exhibit and demonstration course; and the Nevada State Building became the U.S. Agricultural and Horticultural Building. Decorative fringed-arches were added along the length of "The Isthmus", in addition to several new attractions such as "Elizabeth - The Living Doll" (a midget), Grizzly Gulch (a revised version of the Forty-Nine Camp), Sultan's Harem (a risqué belly-dancing attraction), "Captain" (an educated horse), Alligator Farm (featuring live alligators), Ice Skating Rink (in the former Alhambra Cafeteria building), and the Exposition Zoo (a menagerie of caged wild-animals; which soon became the nucleus of the future San Diego Zoo, formed in late 1916).

San Diego 1915: The Isthmus.....

2009-03-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Panama-California Exposition's amusement area was located at the east side of the grounds, parallel to the Alameda, and was known as "The Isthmus". Lining the broad 2,500 foot-long street were more than fifty rides, attractions, and concessions. On either side of the main entrance to "The Isthmus" were situated two prominent structures: the Alhambra Cafeteria and the "War of the Worlds". The Alhambra Cafeteria was the largest restaurant on the exposition grounds, and served as an informal dining choice for visitors, compared to the more formal Cristobal Café located nearby. The "War of the Worlds", entered through a mock battleship, was a futuristic fantasy attraction simulating a war in the year 2000, in which New York City was destroyed by sophisticated weapons, wielded by Asians and Africans arriving in scores of battleships and airplanes. Situated on both sides of "The Isthmus", heading north from the Alhambra Cafeteria and the "War of the Worlds", were scores of other interesting attractions, such as: Neptune's Wonderland (a deep-sea aquarium), Palais du Danse (a dance hall), Temple of Mirth (a fun-house), L.A. Thompson's "Anfalula Land" (a 6,000 foot-long racing coaster with a sound apparatus), Forty-Nine Camp (a California pioneer mining camp), Captive Balloon (a tethered hot-air passenger balloon), Oriental Joy Garden (a Japanese-themed retail concession), Gem Mine (a simulated underground mining attraction), California and The Missions (illustrating California's chain of twenty-one Spanish Missions), Panama Film Company (showing how motion-pictures were produced), Chinatown (simulating the old Chinese quarter in San Francisco), Hawaii - Old and New (featuring grass-skirted hula-dancers), Cawston Ostrich Farm (containing live ostriches), Toadstool (a circular-motion ride), Panama Canal Extravaganza (demonstrating a 250-foot long working model of the Panama Canal), and the Santa Fe Railroad's "Painted Desert" (a spacious enclosure containing pueblos, tepees, and simulated cliff-dwellings, occupied by Indians from the Apache, Navajo, Supai, Tewa, and Tiwa tribes). Scattered among the numerous attractions were ice cream, popcorn, peanut, candy, cider, and soda stands; in addition to restaurants featuring Chinese, German, Spanish, and American food. By night, the many fanciful structures located along "The Isthmus" were outlined with a myriad of incandescent bulbs, giving a festive glow to the humanity-thronged street.

San Diego 1915: Standard Oil Company Building.....

2009-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Standard Oil Company Building was located on the east side of the Panama-California Exposition's Alameda, immediately north of the Nevada State Building. The simple tile-roofed structure was entered through an arched entrance arcade, flanked by pairs of unadorned arched and balconied windows. The interior of the building contained extensive exhibits demonstrating the methods by which crude oil was extracted from the ground and refined into various oil products. North of the Standard Oil Company Building was located the exposition's open-air theatre, where agricultural demonstrations and lectures were presented. Adjacent to the open-air theatre, spanning the Alameda, was situated the long and narrow Tractor Exhibit Building and demonstration field.

San Diego 1915: Nevada State Building.....

2009-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Nevada State Building was located north of the Lipton Tea Pavilion and Gardens, on the east side of the Panama-California Exposition's Alameda. The commodious structure was designed in a Spanish-Italian style, and featured plain walls, a multi-arched entrance arcade, large arched windows, and a Mission-tile roof. The Nevada State Building was originally intended to be located across from the Utah State Building, on the Via de los Estados. However, due to delays in construction, the Nevada commissioners decided to place the building along the Alameda, to preserve the extensive landscaping already established on the original site by the time construction was set to begin. Comprehensive exhibits from the State of Nevada filled the building's large interior.

San Diego 1915: Lipton Tea Pavilion and Gardens.....

2009-03-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Situated on the east side of the Panama-California Exposition's Alameda, directly across from the International Harvester Company Building, the Lipton Tea Pavilion and Gardens covered an area of approximately one-acre and featured a small cultivated tea plantation. Sir Thomas Lipton was inspired to create the outdoor display after observing the extensive Southern California Model Farm and Citrus Grove that was being established on the exposition grounds; and succeeded in demonstrating tea production from the growing plants to the final preparation of the leaves. A small octagonal pavilion, located at the center of the gardens, was decorated with delicate Spanish-Colonial ornamentation and contained a tea-room where various types of Lipton's teas could be sampled.

San Diego 1915: International Harvester Company Building.....

2009-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

The International Harvester Company Building was located on the west side of the Panama-California Exposition's Alameda, immediately north of the Southern California Model Farm and Citrus Grove. The large Spanish-Colonial style structure featured ornate balconied windows, canale-topped buttresses, vine-covered pergolas, and a roof-garden; and the interior housed displays of the company's latest farm equipment and machinery. At the rear of the building was situated a model citrus orchard, irrigated with a complete modern irrigation system. West of the citrus orchard was located a large demonstration field, where numerous types of tractors, plows, harrows, cultivators, spreaders, and other farm machinery were shown in operation. The entire International Harvester Exhibit covered an area of five acres.

San Diego 1915: Southern California Model Farm and Citrus Grove.....

2009-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Situated at the south end of the Panama-California Exposition's Alameda, adjacent to the exposition Fire Station, the Southern California Model Farm and Citrus Grove was an outdoor annex of the Southern California Counties Building. Covering a total area of thirteen acres, the extensive open-air exhibit consisted of a five-acre model farm, a two-acre demonstration field, and a six-acre citrus grove. The centerpiece of the model farm was an eight-room model bungalow, located on the west side of the Alameda, fronted by a spacious lawn. The stucco-walled low-roofed bungalow represented the popular style of homes currently being constructed throughout Southern California, and contained a spacious living and dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom, and two large screened-porches. At either side of the bungalow were situated large groves of deciduous fruit trees of various types; behind which were located flower gardens, vegetable gardens, a four-room superintendent's cottage, store house, garage, poultry yards, and a field for demonstrating modern farm machinery. Located across from the model farm, on the east side of the Alameda, was the model citrus grove which contained numerous varieties of orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees. The entire exhibit demonstrated what could be accomplished within a period of two years on a typical Southern California farm.

San Diego 1915: The Alameda.....

2009-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Alameda was a long tree-lined avenue, leading north from the formal gardens of the Panama-California Exposition's Southern California Counties Building, providing access to the numerous agricultural-related displays situated along its length. The curving avenue contained benches for seating, allowing exposition visitors to enjoy the temperate climate of Southern California while viewing the many outdoor exhibits. At the Alameda's south end was the large and commodious Cristobal Café, operated by Levy's Restaurant, where many official banquets took place during the course of the exposition. Located immediately north of the Cristobal Café was the exposition Fire Station, housing a trained crew of fire-fighters and the most modern fire-fighting equipment. The spacious Southern California model farm and citrus grove covered the area north and east of the Fire Station, and were neighbored on their north side by the International Harvester Company Building and tractor demonstration field, and the Lipton Tea Pavilion and Gardens. The Nevada State Building, Standard Oil Company Building, Open-Air Theatre, and Tractor Exhibit Building were situated along the remainder of the Alameda, which extended to the exposition's north entrance.

San Diego 1915: Japanese Tea Pavilion and Gardens.....

2009-02-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Japanese Tea Pavilion and Gardens were situated north of the Panama-California Exposition's Botanical Building, and covered an area of approximately one acre. The main entrance to the pavilion and gardens was reached by a pathway leading north from the Botanical Gardens, which crossed a wide arched bridge leading directly to the tea pavilion. The gardens contained a meandering waterway and pond, spanned by a steeply-arched red-lacquered "Bridge of Long Life"; and were also scattered with rocks, stepping stones, stone lanterns, and many varieties of meticulously-pruned trees and plants. The tea pavilion was based on the design of Buddhist temples of the fourteenth century, and was an ornate rectangular-shaped structure surmounted by a shingled roof containing gables at each end. The decorated gables featured carvings of Hoho birds and Sachi fish, which were symbols of long life and happiness. A broad raised veranda surrounded the structure, and the interior consisted of a large tea-room with a coffered ceiling, decorated with numerous patterned rice-paper panels.

San Diego 1915: Montana State Building.....

2009-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Situated across from the Washington State Building, the Montana State Building stood on the south side of the Panama-California Exposition's Via de los Estados. The building was designed in a Spanish-Mission style, and borrowed design elements from exposition structures located along El Prado. A central terra-cotta tile-roofed hall, with decorative end-gables, was flanked by flat-roofed wings at either side, each featuring a pergola-covered side entrance. The arched main portal borrowed its surrounding ornamentation from the arcade entrance pavilions, located along El Prado; while the parapet ornamentation, placed on the structure's two flanking wings, was borrowed from the front arcade of the Southern California Counties Building. The interior of the building housed the many exhibits assembled by the State of Montana.

San Diego 1915: Washington State Building.....

2009-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Washington State Building was located on the north side of the Panama-California Exposition's Via de los Estados, adjacent to the New Mexico State Building. The structure was designed in an eclectic California-Mission style, and featured arches, buttresses, deep-set windows, and a terra-cotta tile roof. Curving facades, flanked by domed slope-walled towers, were situated at the building's west end; each containing five narrow arched-windows and projecting wood vigas. The building was entered through a Mission-style arch, which opened into a small patio; and an open terrace, placed on the building's north side, overlooked the lushly planted Palm Canyon. The interior was filled with the comprehensive exhibits from the State of Washington.

San Diego 1915: New Mexico State Building.....

2009-02-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

The New Mexico State Building was located on the west side of the Panama-California Exposition's Via de los Estados, and overlooked Cabrillo Canyon, the city, and the bay. The unique pueblo-style structure was based on the design of the San Esteban del Rey Church, located within the Acoma Pueblo in the State of New Mexico. The large adobe-colored flat-roofed building featured an imposing bell-tower flanked wing on the south side, and a two-story open-balconied wing on the north. The two wings were inter-connected by a single-storied central hall, entered through a deep portal, behind which was situated a spacious open-air patio. The walls of the building sloped outward at their bases, and were relieved by rectangular deep-set window openings. Wood vigas extended through the walls at the roof level, and canales were placed at various points along the parapets. Between the two towers of the south wing was situated a narrow second-floor balcony, constructed of rough-hewn wood and topped by two finials in the style of Native-American crosses. The building's interior contained a large exhibit hall for New Mexico's state exhibits, in addition to several reception and meeting rooms.

San Diego 1915: Utah State Building.....

2009-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Utah State Building was located south of the Kansas State Building, along the east side of the Panama-California Exposition's Via de los Estados. Designed in an eclectic Spanish-Renaissance style, the building consisted of a large flat-roofed main hall, entered through an imposing arched portal, with small towers located on either side of a tile-roofed overhang. Smaller wings extended north and south from the main hall, and also featured flat roofs, tile overhangs, and small towers. Within the building were located numerous exhibits from the State of Utah.

San Diego 1915: Kansas State Building.....

2009-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located west of the Alameda and Santa Clara Counties Building, on the south side of the Panama-California Exposition's Via de los Estados, was the Mission-style Kansas State Building. Designed as a rectangular-shaped exhibition building, featuring an arched entrance portal, large unadorned arched windows, and a terra-cotta tile roof, the structure was one of the most architecturally plain of the exposition's six state buildings. Apparently this overall plainness resulted in a redesign within several months of the exposition's opening, and the end result was an architecturally original Mission-style structure. An open-beamed arcade was added along the building's north and west sides, in addition to an ornamented entrance portal and a domed Mission-style tower. A wooden stairway, located within the arcade's western portion, provided access to a roof-deck which opened to the tower; an interior stairway then led to the tower's upper portion, where panoramic views of the surrounding area could be had. The building contained the small, but interesting, exhibit from the State of Kansas.

San Diego 1915: Alameda and Santa Clara Counties Building.....

2009-02-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located immediately west of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, on the south side of the Panama-California Exposition's Via de los Estados, was the Alameda and Santa Clara Counties Building. Designed in a simple Spanish-Colonial style, the tile-roofed building featured a gabled and ornamented entrance portal, surmounted by a deeply-set arched window. The plain walls of the structure contained numerous pairs of flat-arched windows, with a heavy cornice located above. The interior housed fine displays of products from the California counties of Alameda and Santa Clara.

San Diego 1915: Spreckels Organ Pavilion.....

2009-02-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion was located on the south side of the Panama-California Exposition's Plaza de los Estados, and faced north toward the Esplanade and the Plaza de Panama. The permanent pavilion, constructed entirely of hollow terra-cotta tile, housed the great outdoor organ, presented to the exposition and the citizens of San Diego by brothers John and Adolph Spreckels. Harrison Albright was commissioned to design the Renaissance-style Plateresque-ornamented building and its curving Corinthian-columned peristyles; and Dr. Humphrey J. Stewart was hired as official exposition organist. The organ, featuring four manuals, sixty-two speaking stops, and 3,400 pipes, was constructed by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The pavilion consisted of a central gable-topped structure, containing a delicately ornamented proscenium fronted by a large concrete stage. At each side of the proscenium were placed large bronze tablets, recording the donation of the building and the names of the persons instrumental in the gift and its construction. Within the proscenium was located the massive organ, with its gilded pipes and large polished-wood console; fronted by a rolling corrugated-steel door, which could be lowered to protect the instrument from the elements. Extending from the east and west sides of the central structure were matching peristyles, with small pavilions located at each end. The flat-roofed peristyles, featuring Corinthian columns, surmounted by rooftop walks lined with balustrades and ornate finials, offered unparalleled views of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. By night the pavilion was outlined with a myriad of 15-watt electric bulbs; being the only major structure at the exposition not illuminated by indirect lighting. Immediately east of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion was located the Salt Lake Route and Union Pacific Building, designed in a corresponding classic-style, faced with Doric columns.

San Diego 1915: Kern and Tulare Counties Building.....

2009-02-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Kern and Tulare Counties Building was located on the west side of the Panama-California Exposition's Esplanade, directly across from the San Joaquin Valley Counties Building. Overlooking Palm Canyon to the west, the building was designed in the style of the urban Spanish-Colonial homes found throughout Mexico. The structure featured an ornamented entrance centered along a plainly designed ground-floor; above which was located an ornamented second-floor, containing numerous balconied windows, square columns, and a decorative cornice and parapet. Extending south-west from the building was a semi-circular arcade, leading to the Alameda and Santa Clara Counties Building and the Via de los Estados. Exhibits from the California counties of Kern and Tulare occupied the interior of the structure.

San Diego 1915: San Joaquin Valley Counties Building.....

2009-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

The San Joaquin Valley Counties Building was located on the east side of the Esplanade, south of the Panama-California Exposition's central Plaza de Panama. The long florid facade of the building represented the civic style of architecture found in Mexico during the Churrigueresque period; with the central entrance consisting of a highly ornamented portal, containing a large arched window fronted by a broad balcony. The structure's lower story was smooth-walled, punctured by small Moorish-style windows; while the upper story was a riot of ornamentation. A pavilion was located at each end of the building, featuring large balconied windows, topped by decorative gables. An arcade at the building's north end connected to the arcade of the adjacent Foreign and Domestic Arts Building; while an open terrace extended along the east side, overlooking Spanish Canyon. The interior contained numerous exhibits from the counties of California's San Joaquin Valley, and was beautifully decorated with grains, cereals, and grasses arranged in decorative patterns around a variety of farming scenes.

San Diego 1915: Southern California Counties Building.....

2009-02-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Southern California Counties Building was located on the north side El Prado, adjacent to the Panama-California Exposition's Plaza de Balboa. The building was designed in an eclectic Spanish-Colonial style, featuring a large central structure with flanking tile-roofed wings, which extended south and enclosed an arcaded patio, paved with rough Mission-tile. The patio was entered on its south side through a heavily ornamented portal, which formed the building's main entrance. The north wall of the patio featured a two-storied arcade, similar to one found within the patio of the Convento de San Agustin, located in Queretaro, Mexico. The upper portion of the arcade was enclosed with large arched windows, surrounded by Spanish Baroque ornamentation and topped with a heavy cornice. Located at the north angles of the patio were two Spanish Baroque towers, each featuring semi-circular balconies, decorative finials, and blue, black, and yellow tiled domes. On the north side of the building was a smaller tile-paved patio, located within a tile-roofed wing, overlooking a large formal garden with hedge-framed planter beds, filled with numerous varieties of flowers. At the building's west side, facing Calle Cristobal, a grand staircase led to an imposing Baroque-style entrance, with an ornamented balcony situated above. The spacious structure housed exhibits from the seven counties of Southern California, in addition to a large lecture hall, and several reception and meeting rooms.

San Diego 1915: Food Products Building.....

2009-02-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Extending north from the Panama-California Exposition's Varied Industries Building was the large Churrigueresque-style Food Products Building. Located on the west of side of the Calle Cristobal, the structure resembled a Spanish-Colonial church; and featured a heavily ornamented entrance flanked by a pair of blue and yellow tile-domed bell towers, topped with wrought-iron finials. A terra-cotta tile-roofed wing projected north from the towers, and a plain-walled wing to the south, which contained decorative arches at the first level with heavily-framed windows above. On an axis with the towers was the exterior simulation of a chapel, culminating in a semi-circular apse on the west side of the building. The apse consisted of arched windows separated by heavily ornamented buttresses; with a simulated sanctuary entrance, topped by a bell-turret, placed on the south side. At the base of the apse, facing the Botanical Gardens, was an ornamented tablet dedicated to the memory of Fray Junipero Serra, founder of the Franciscan Missions of California. The tablet contained a bas-relief of Father Serra, surrounded by Churrigueresque ornamentation, and the inscription: "To the memory of Fray Junipero Serra and his fellow pioneers, whose saintly devotion and dauntless courage established Christianity and civilization in Alta California, 1769 - 1915". The interior of the building was filled with exhibits from numerous manufacturers of edible products.

San Diego 1915: Varied Industries Building.....

2009-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located on the north side of El Prado, the Varied Industries Building stood directly opposite the Panama-California Exposition's Commerce and Industries Building, to which it contrasted in both style and ornament. The El Prado facade of the building was designed in the Churrigueresque style, and contained two heavily ornamented entrances, connected by a two-storied tile-roofed arcade. The arcade was based on those found within the patios of Queretaro, Mexico, and featured a second-floor loggia of six arches, with balustrades, fluted columns, and an ornamented frieze. Each of the building's two entrances contained three broad archways, separated by ornamented columns. At the second-floor level of the entrances were two ornately framed balconies and a large rose-window, surrounded by an abundance of heavy Churrigueresque ornamentation. At the east end of the structure was an ornamented facade, featuring allegorical figures of a religious nature. The facade was flanked by wrought-iron railed balconies, and enhanced by a Spanish-Renaissance belfry, placed above the facade's northern end. At night numerous light-standards illuminated the building, and created deep shadows upon the walls from the heavy ornamentation. The interior of the structure contained a variety of industrial products, displayed by domestic exhibitors. Extending north from the Varied Industries Building was the inter-connected Food Products Building, which featured several of the same design elements.

San Diego 1915: Commerce and Industries Building.....

2009-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Commerce and Industries Building was located on the south side of El Prado, immediately east of the Panama-California Exposition's Foreign and Domestic Arts Building. The extremely ornate eclectic Renaissance structure featured two tile-roofed entrance bays and a heavily ornamented corner tower. The building's entrances were based on the design of the Casa Consistorial, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and contained triple-arched vestibules above which were located ornate balconies with intricate wrought-iron railings. Tile-roofed overhangs, featuring brightly colored friezes of blue, red, green, and gold, extended over both entrances, and were supported by caryatids in the form of nude women. The Rococo-ornamented corner tower contained two semi-circular iron-railed balconies, topped by a decorative cornice and ornate finials. The rear portion of the building was less heavily ornamented, to harmonize with the adjacent Foreign and Domestic Arts Building, and overlooked a small park and Spanish Canyon, which extended to the south. The interior of the building housed numerous commercial and industrial exhibits, displayed by domestic firms.

San Diego 1915: Botanical Gardens.....

2009-02-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Botanical Gardens occupied a large rectangular area in front of the Panama-California Exposition's Botanical Building; and were enclosed by the Home Economy & Sacramento Valley Counties Buildings on the west, and the Varied Industries & Food Products Buildings on the east. Extending north from El Prado were two main walkways giving access to the Botanical Gardens, between which was located a large rectangular lagoon, known as La Laguna de las Flores, measuring 193-feet long by 43-feet wide. At the head of the lagoon was a balustraded bridge, crossed by a transverse walk. At the west end of this walkway was situated a Roman-style pergola, fronted by a tiled terrace with a low iron railing; while at the walkway's east terminus was located a balustraded terrace, backed by a tile-roofed arcade connected to the Food Products Building. Also located near each end of the transverse walkway were raised circular basins, each containing an ornately designed Baroque fountainhead. The Botanical Gardens were surrounded by a thick growth of eucalyptus trees, and planted with spacious lawns, shrubbery, palms, and many flowering plants. A low hedge of blue lobelia framed La Laguna de las Flores, and the bordering walkways were lined with Italian-style benches and ornate bronze-green light standards. The view south across the lagoon, toward El Prado, revealed a mirrored reflection of a tile-roofed colonnade and the neighboring towers of the Commerce and Industries & Foreign and Domestic Arts Buildings.

San Diego 1915: Botanical Building.....

2009-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Botanical Building was located north-east of the Panama-California Exposition's Home Economy Building, and faced El Prado at the end of a long rectangular lagoon. The steel-framed permanent building measured 250-feet in length by 75-feet wide, and was the world's largest wood-lath covered structure. The entrance consisted of two small domed pavilions, connected by a triple-arched arcade, set in front of a central lath-covered dome topped by an octagon-shaped lantern. Immediately in front of the building's entrance arcade was located a small lagoon, filled with lotus and water lilies, abutted by a balustraded bridge ornamented by large decorative urns. Arched windows, deeply set into a stuccoed facade, surrounded the structure; and a spacious glass-roofed conservatory extended north from the building's large central dome. Within the main redwood-lath covered structure were planted a variety of palms, ferns, bamboo, vines, flowers, and many other plants found throughout Central and South America; while in the heated conservatory was situated a large pool filled with delicate water-lilies, surrounded by numerous varieties of exotic tropical plants.

San Diego 1915: Foreign and Domestic Arts Building.....

2009-02-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Foreign and Domestic Arts Building was located on the south side of El Prado, across from the Home Economy Building, and faced the Panama-California Exposition's Plaza de Panama. The T-shaped building was ornamented in the Plateresque style, and was loosely based on the design of the Hospice de Santa Cruz located in Toledo, Spain. Two similar entrance pavilions were located on the building's north and west sides; and a delicately ornamented square tower was located at the north-west corner, balancing the tower on the Home Economy Building. Each of the entrance pavilions consisted of a heavily ornamented archway, with a balcony located above. At each side of the balcony was situated an abundantly ornamented arched window, covered by a wood grille, and topped with a pediment at the building's cornice level. Centered over the entrance, and extending above the cornice, was a large stylized coat-of-arms representing the Pan-American Union. The corner tower featured an open pavilion, with each of its four walls containing a central arch flanked by rectangular openings. The upper portions of the tower's walls, surrounding the openings, were covered in delicate flower-shaped ornamentation, and surmounted by a finial-topped parapet. In contrast, the building's south wing and east facade were designed in a simple Moorish style, consisting of plain walls and unadorned windows. At the north-east corner of the building was located a second square tower, balancing a tower on the adjacent Commerce and Industries Building. Exhibits from Japan occupied the majority of the building's interior, in addition to exhibits from several European countries.

San Diego 1915: Home Economy Building.....

2009-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Home Economy Building was located on the north side of El Prado, immediately east of the Panama-California Exposition's Plaza de Panama. Surrounded by arcades on two sides, the building's overall design represented the urban palaces found in Mexico City, with a corner tower modeled on that of the Palacio de Monterey, in Salamanca, Spain. Two ornamented pavilions, located on the west and south sides of the building, formed the building's entrances. Over each entrance was situated a square heavily-ornamented and bracketed balcony, flanked by simple iron-railed balconies at each side; with a richly-decorated parapet extending around each pavilion's top edge. The building's corner tower consisted of a square open pavilion, with three balustraded arches on each of its four sides, and cartouches at the corners. A medallion-decorated parapet surmounted the tower's cornice; and two pedimented windows, topped with finials, decorated the tower's lower walls. Within the building were located exhibits relating to modern conveniences for the home; consisting of numerous electrical appliances, as well as a complete model kitchen.

San Diego 1915: Sacramento Valley Counties Building.....

2009-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Prominently located at the north end of the Panama-California Exposition's Plaza de Panama was the imposing Sacramento Valley Counties Building. The general design of the structure was Italian, covered with ornamentation in the Spanish Baroque style. Decorative columns, scrolls, medallions, and cartouches covered the facade; and seven large archways opened into a vestibule extending the length of the building. The vestibule opened at each end into pergola-topped arcades, connecting to the Science and Education Building on the west, and the Home Economy Building on the east. Situated above each of the vestibule's seven archways was a decorative iron-railed balcony, with similar balconies placed in the pavilions at both ends of the structure; and a richly colored and gilded overhanging cornice surmounted the building's walls, topped by a hipped terra-cotta tile roof. An expansive concrete terrace, reached by a broad flight of steps from the Plaza de Panama, fronted the vestibule, and was also used as a stage for the Exposition Band and other performances. At night the building's facade was illuminated by four triple-globed lighting standards, located upon the terrace; and the interior of the vestibule was indirectly lit by incandescent lighting hidden in the cornices surrounding the arched and vaulted ceiling. Inside the structure were extensive exhibits, representing the agricultural counties of California's Sacramento Valley.

San Diego 1915: Plaza de Panama.....

2009-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Plaza de Panama was the center of the Panama-California Exposition's daily activities and entertainment, and was designed after the manner of the central town plazas found throughout Spain and Mexico. The large asphalt-paved space was bisected by El Prado, and opened on the south side to the Esplanade and the Plaza de los Estados. Surrounded by buildings on its three other sides, the Plaza de Panama was flanked on the west by the Science and Education and Indian Arts Buildings; and on the east by the Home Economy and Foreign and Domestic Arts Buildings. At the plaza's north end was located the Sacramento Valley Counties Building, fronted by a broad flight of stairs and two tall flagstaffs. Heavy wooden benches, backed by Blackwood acacia trees and ornate bronze-green light-standards, lined the curbs; and ornate entrance pavilions gave access to the arcades surrounding the plaza. The main attraction of the Plaza de Panama were the hundreds of tame pigeons, which could be hand-fed with bird-seed sold by Spanish-garbed vendors; and visitors could also pose for postcard photographs, seated in a Electriquette, surrounded by pigeons. The woven-wicker Electriquettes were battery-powered electric vehicles, which could be rented by the hour, enabling visitors to ride in comfort around the exposition grounds. Also wandering the plaza were various entertainers and minstrels. The Exposition Band gave daily performances on the steps of the Sacramento Valley Counties Building, and a large colorfully-dressed group of Spanish troubadours performed throughout the plaza with song and dance. Colorful canvas hangings were placed on the balconies surrounding the plaza; and a decorative blue & yellow striped canvas awning was occasionally raised over the steps of the Sacramento Valley Counties Building for special performances. The famous Liberty Bell was also displayed for three days in the Plaza de Panama, during November of 1915, on its return trip to Philadelphia from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

San Diego 1915: Science and Education Building.....

2009-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located on the north side of El Prado, immediately east of the California State Building, was the Panama-California Exposition's Science and Education Building. Designed with a mixture of Spanish Renaissance, Moorish, and Churrigueresque architecture, the building's main facade faced El Prado and featured two tile-roofed bays extending over the arcade. Each bay was of a Spanish Renaissance design, with an ornamented cornice, and contained three decoratively-framed Italian Renaissance windows. Between these bays was located the heavily-ornamented main entrance to the building, formed by an accentuated archway of the arcade, and topped by a small pavilion with a terra-cotta tile roof. Beyond this entrance, behind the arcade, was situated a lushly landscaped patio, containing a lawn and an abundance of tropical plants and trees, as well as two small faun-head fountains of classic Roman design. At the south-east corner of the patio was placed an octagonal Moorish stair-tower, surmounted by a black and yellow tiled turret. A second landscaped patio occupied an area at the corner of the Plaza de Panama and El Prado, and featured an additional faun-head fountain, and a small ornate balcony set high upon the wall. The building's ornate east entrance was designed in a Churrigueresque style, and based on the Iglesia de San Francisco in Puebla, Mexico. Within the building were located numerous scientific and educational exhibits, many of which were provided by the Smithsonian Institution.

San Diego 1915: Indian Arts Building.....

2009-02-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

On the south side of El Prado, between the Plaza de Panama and the Montezuma Gardens, was situated the Panama-California Exposition's Indian Arts Building. Designed in a style reminiscent of the California Missions, the building featured plain walls, deeply-set arched windows, and several belfries. The building's main entrance, facing east upon the Plaza de Panama, was based on the design of the Sanctuario de Guadalupe, in Guadalajara, Mexico. A wood-railed balcony, placed above a deeply-arched portal, was flanked by medallion-decorated panels, and topped by a decorative niche. Small towers were located on either side of the entrance, surmounted by two large belfries of simplistic design. An arcade surrounded the building on two sides, and its interior was softly illuminated at night by indirect lighting. The north entrance, facing El Prado, was designed in a heavy Baroque style, contrasting with the east entrance, and featured decorative columns, scrollwork, arabesques, and ornate finials. Adjacent to the north entrance, over an archway in the arcade, was a Carmelite belfry containing two bells. Beyond this belfry, on the west side of the building, stood a domed tower overlooking the Montezuma Gardens. The tower was based on the design of a similar tower found in the city of Puebla, Mexico; set on a square base, with tall arches, corner columns, decorative finials, and a blue and yellow tiled-dome. The south facade of the building, overlooking Palm Canyon, contained a large arched window set in an overhanging balcony, supported by decorative brackets. The exhibits within the building consisted of numerous arts and crafts created by Native Americans of the southwest. Hand woven rugs, decorative baskets, clay bowls and vessels, paintings, and hand-crafted jewelry were among the many items displayed.

San Diego 1915: Montezuma Gardens.....

2009-02-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Immediately east of the Panama-California Exposition's Fine Arts Building was located the Montezuma Gardens. Designed in a formal classic-style, the spacious rectangular garden was laid-out with hedge-framed planter beds, filled with flowers of red and yellow, and surrounded by a thick bower of eucalyptus trees. Italian style cast-stone benches were placed around the perimeter of the garden, interspersed with low vine-filled urns, and ornate bronze-green colored lighting standards. At the garden's west end stood a raised Roman-style pergola, featuring Doric columns and a terra-cotta tile floor, from which the entire garden space could be viewed. South of the Montezuma Gardens, accessed through two pedestal-framed gateways, was situated a long vine-covered pergola and spacious lawn area, bordering a palm-filled canyon. An additional gateway, located at the garden's south-west corner, opened to a pathway leading to a curved rustic wood pergola, which offered excellent views of Cabrillo Canyon, the city, and San Diego bay.

San Diego 1915: Fine Arts Building.....

2009-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located at the south side of the Plaza de California, the Panama-California Exposition's Fine Arts Building was an extension of the permanent California State Building, and constructed of reinforced concrete. The front of the building consisted of a long arched corridor, reminiscent of San Fernando Mission, roofed with sturdy cedar beams and topped with Mission tile. The main entrance doorway, at the west end of the corridor, opened into a large tile-floored foyer; which gave access to the 136-foot long main picture gallery, containing numerous American works of art. A wooden-railed balcony, at the gallery's east end, contained gilded bas-reliefs representing the four arts of music, painting, sculpture, and ceramics; and a bronze Baroque wall fountain, located beneath the balcony, was set in a niche lined with blue and white glazed tile. At the west end of the picture gallery, over the entrance, was located a circular wrought-iron railed balcony, containing the coat of arms of the City of San Diego. Also accessed from the foyer of the Fine Arts Building was the St. Francis Chapel, designed to represent the small chapels found within the cathedrals of Mexico. Located one level below the foyer, the chapel was floored with heavy terra-cotta tile, and contained rough-plaster walls and a massive wood-beamed ceiling. A raised wooden gallery, at the rear of the chapel, opened from the foyer above and contained the Latin inscription: "Holy Francis, Seraphic Father, Patron of the Missions of California, pray for us". Beneath the gallery was the chapel's entrance, consisting of an arch containing double-doors filled with Mexican wood rejas. The centerpiece of the St. Francis Chapel was an elaborately carved reredos, of gilded and colored wood, featuring a statue of Our Lady and Child, surrounded by busts and statues of several Catholic saints. The south facade of the Fine Arts Building featured a heavily buttressed wall, similar to that of San Gabriel Mission; and a Carmelite belfry, containing an old Spanish bell brought from Gibraltar.

San Diego 1915: California State Building.....

2009-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located at the east end of the Puente Cabrillo, the California State Building was the centerpiece of the Panama-California Exposition. Consulting and Advisory Architect, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, designed the reinforced concrete structure to resemble a Spanish-Colonial cathedral, such as those found in major cities of Mexico. To soften the abruptness of its proportions, when viewed from the Puente Cabrillo, a smaller structure was built at the California State Building's west side. This building was known as the Administration Building, and housed the administrative offices of the exposition. Adjacent to the Administration Building was the ceremonial entrance gateway to the exposition, consisting of a broad archway spanning El Prado, flanked by Doric columns. At the top of the archway was located a large sculptural panel containing the coat of arms of the City of San Diego, and the year 1915. Below the panel, in the spandrels of the arch, were placed male and female figures symbolizing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, joining the waters together to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal. After passing through the arch, the Plaza de California was entered, with the massive Churrigueresque California State Building on the left, and the smaller Mission-style Fine Arts Building on the right. Together these two inter-connected buildings were known as the California Quadrangle, and comprised the largest permanent group of buildings constructed for the exposition. The California State Building was comprised of a central structure, containing a massive dome covered in polychrome tiles of blue, green, yellow, black, and white, with an ornate lantern at its top; and a 200-foot triple-storied belfry tower, topped with a tile dome and a wrought-iron weathervane in the form of a Spanish ship. The grand entrance to the building faced the Plaza de California, and consisted of a frontispiece covered in sculpture representing eminent names connected with the history of San Diego. Fray Junipero Serra, founder of the chain of California Missions, was located prominently at the top, flanked by busts of Charles the Fifth and Philip the Second, of Spain. Beneath these busts, on either side of a massive Moorish-style window, were placed statues of Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and Spanish navigator Sebastian Vizcaino. Below these two statues were busts of English navigator George Vancouver, and Gaspar de Portola, first Spanish Governor of California. Flanking the large arched entrance doors, at the bottom of the frontispiece, were located statues of Fray Luis Jayme, first Christian martyr of the California Mission period; and Fray Antonio de la Ascension, the Carmelite historiographer who accompanied Sebastian Vizcaino to California. On the east and west sides of the building were placed large windows, surrounded by massive cast-stone Churrigueresque frames, containing heraldic seals of the State of California, and the motto "Eureka"; while on the north side was placed an apse, with a colorfully tiled half-dome. At three corners of the structure were located small tile-domed pavilions; while at the south-east corner, facing the Plaza de California, was located the triple-tiered and tile-dome topped belfry tower. Fine views of the exposition and San Diego, the mountains, the bay, and the Pacific Ocean could be had from the ornately designed tower. Encircling the base of the California State Building's large central dome were tiled panels containing a Latin quotation from the Vulgate of St. Jerome, fitting to California, which translated as: "A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey". The east entrance to the California Quadrangle consisted of another broad archway, spanning El Prado, similar to the arch located at the west side of the building. This arch was topped with an ornate tiled panel, representing the coat of arms of the State of California; while the spandrels of the arch contained tile panels representing the Spanish government, dated 1769, and the American government, dated 1846. Within the building were located numerous archaeological displays from Central America, gathered by the Smithsonian Institution; as well as exhibits representing the State of California.

San Diego 1915: El Prado.....

2009-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Continuing east from the 1,000 foot long Puente Cabrillo was the Panama-California Exposition's main thoroughfare, El Prado. Designed with the character of a principal Spanish street, El Prado was flanked by landscaped esplanades, planted with lawns, flowers, and shrubbery, and formally lined with Blackwood acacia trees, each pruned to the shape of a dome. Between the acacias, next to the curbs, were placed ornate bronze-green colored light standards, topped with dome-shaped globes. Long arcades lined the avenue, and featured broad arches, iron railings, and numerous benches for seating. The arcade floors and walkways were paved with rolled reddish-brown sandstone; and the arcade ceilings were painted a salmon-pink, to reflect a soft indirect light from the ornate lighting fixtures suspended beneath. The general color of the twelve exposition buildings along El Prado was a pearl-gray, with overhanging roofs of terra-cotta Mission-tile, railings and window frames painted dark green, and towers topped with brightly colored polychrome tiles. Three main plazas were located along El Prado, and provided relief to the narrow avenue. The Plaza de California was at El Prado's western end, and filled the area between the California State Building, and the adjoining Fine Arts Building. Located at the opposite end of the avenue was the Plaza de Balboa, adjoining the Southern California Counties Building, at the east entrance to the exposition grounds. Placed at the center portion of El Prado was the spacious Plaza de Panama, which served as the exposition's main festival and entertainment area. By night the exposition buildings were illuminated by the numerous lighting standards which lined El Prado. The soft light, filtering through the Blackwood acacias, cast a mellow glow upon the walls of the buildings and created shadows from the heavy ornamentation, broad archways, and various architectural projections.

San Diego 1915: The Panama-California Exposition.....

2009-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

In 1909 a group of San Diego's leading citizens conceived an idea to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal by holding an exposition. After several months of planning and raising funds, an area in the southern portion of City Park was selected as the site for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The architectural style of the buildings was to be based on the California Missions, and the grounds laid-out with plazas, gardens, and arcaded walkways. However, by 1911 it was decided that the site selected, just north of San Diego High School, would be inadequate for the exposition, and that a larger area would be required. At this time Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was hired as Consulting and Advisory Architect for the project, and Frank P. Allen, Jr. as Director of Works. Together the two men selected a more central site in the recently re-named Balboa Park, and the architectural style was changed from California Mission to Spanish-Colonial. The new site was not as readily accessible, due to a canyon located on the west side of the park, so a large permanent seven-arched concrete bridge, named the Puente Cabrillo, was designed to provide a grand entrance to the complex of exposition buildings. A central avenue, on a line with the bridge, served as the main thoroughfare and was named El Prado. Along El Prado were placed the principal exhibition structures, consisting of the permanent concrete California State Building and Fine Arts Building, the Administration Building, Science and Education Building, Indian Arts Building, Sacramento Valley Counties Building, Home Economy Building, Foreign and Domestic Arts Building, Botanical Building, Commerce and Industries Building, Varied Industries & Food Products Building, and Southern California Counties Building. The lushly landscaped grounds were laid-out by Mr. Allen; and assistant-architect Carleton Monroe Winslow designed the majority of the exposition buildings, most of which temporary wood and stucco exhibition structures. As completed, the exposition represented a miniature Spanish-Colonial city, with the buildings designed in various styles found throughout Mexico. Baroque, Churrigueresque, and Plateresque styles were intermixed with Moorish, Mission, and Italian elements. Connecting the various buildings on El Prado were long arcades, providing a consistency along the avenue and a smooth transition from one building to another. Three main plazas were located along El Prado, and consisted of the Plaza de California at the avenue's west end, the Plaza de Balboa at the east end, and the large Plaza de Panama placed at the center. South of the Plaza de Panama, and connected to it by a long esplanade, was the Plaza de los Estados upon which was located the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Salt Lake Route and Union Pacific Building, San Joaquin Valley Counties Building, Kern and Tulare Counties Building, and the Alameda and Santa Clara Counties Building. South-west of the Plaza de los Estados were the state buildings of Kansas, Utah, Washington, Montana, and New Mexico. In the area north of El Prado was placed the amusement area, known as the Isthmus, containing numerous rides and attractions. West of the Isthmus was an avenue named the Alameda, along which were located agricultural displays, consisting of a Southern California model farm and model citrus grove, the International Harvester Company Building and tractor demonstration field, and the Lipton tea plantation; as well as the Standard Oil Building, and the Nevada State Building. Three entrances provided access to the grounds: the West Gate, located at the west end of the Cabrillo Bridge; the East Gate, located on the Plaza de Balboa; and the North Gate, located at the north end of the Isthmus. The exposition opened to the public at midnight, January 1st, 1915 amidst a citywide celebration. Although originally planned to close on December 31st, 1915, the exposition continued until December 31st, 1916, remaining open a full two years. Despite Mr. Goodhue's objections, many of the temporary structures remained standing after the exposition closed, and soon became cherished as architectural masterpieces by the citizens of San Diego.

Long Beach 1928: Official Exposition Letterhead.....

2009-01-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

Official letterhead was used for all correspondence emanating from the administrative offices of the 1928 Pacific Southwest Exposition. During the organization and construction period, the exposition's offices were located within the Los Angeles County Chamber of Commerce Building, and later moved to the exposition grounds upon completion of the Administration Building. Below is an example of the official letterhead, containing a letter written by the exposition's Director of Exhibits on August 2nd, 1928:

Long Beach 1928: Official Exposition Souvenir Program.....

2009-01-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

Several editions of the Official Souvenir Program were published during the thirty-nine day run of the 1928 Pacific Southwest Exposition. Averaging sixteen pages in length, the fully-illustrated program contained general information about the exposition, a calendar of events, sponsor advertising, and a double-page map of the grounds. Among the events listed were numerous musical & theatrical performances in the Open Air Theatre, and the Little Theatre; free entertainment on the "Fun Strip"; band performances at the Pool of Reflections' bandstand; Mohammedan Prayer Chants in the Muezzin Tower; and the various international entertainers strolling the grounds. At the center of the Souvenir Program was located a hand-drawn aerial-view map of the exposition, looking north-west; with numbers identifying the many exhibit buildings and attractions upon the grounds. The map was numbered as follows: 1 - Entrance Dome; 2 - Cafeteria; 3 - Palace of Education and Liberal Arts; 4 - Athletic Stadium; 5 - Palace of Textiles and Modes; 6 - Ship Cafe; 7 - Main Court & Pool of Reflections; 8 - Palace of Transportation; 9 - Palace of Industry & Muezzin Tower; 10 - "Fun Strip" Amusement Area; 11 - Open Air Theatre; 12 - Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and New Zealand Building; 13 - Czechoslovakia Building; 14 - Japanese Building; 15 - Guatemala Building; 16 - Belgian Building; 17 - Fire Station; 18 - Ecuador Building; 19 - French Building; 20 - Bolivia Building; 21 - California Building; 22 - Italian Building; 23 - Persian Building; 24 - Entrance to China Exhibit; 25 - Mexican Building; 26 - Palace of Fine Arts; 27 - Latin-American Building; 28 - Garden Court; 29 - (no number); 30 - Administration Building; 31 - Water Entrance & Boat Landing; 32 - Banquet Hall.

Long Beach 1928: Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and New Zealand Building.....

2009-01-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and New Zealand Building was located at the west end of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's Avenue of Nations, adjacent to the Czechoslovakia Building. The building was designed in a country-style, reminiscent of Northern Europe, featuring a rounded tower and steep shingled-roofs. Each of the five countries represented in the building contributed exhibits of either a commercial or cultural nature. Denmark displayed fine examples of tapestries, embroidery, china, furniture, linens, and works of art; while Holland, along with her colonies, exhibited bulbs and seeds, traditional wooden shoes, spices, tea, sugar, tobacco, tin, and oils. The Norway display consisted of many historical items, such as drinking horns and bowls, woven bedspreads, draperies, traditional costumes, Nordic boots, wooden tableware, copper kettles, and oil-paintings. Sweden was represented by a small cultural exhibit; and New Zealand displayed photographs of its many scenic wonders and sporting facilities.

Long Beach 1928: Belgian Building.....

2009-01-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Belgian Building was located on the north side of the Avenue of Nations, across from the Czechoslovakia Building, and was one of the more popular foreign buildings at the Pacific Southwest Exposition. Over one-hundred firms were represented within the building, which was designed in a traditional rural-style of Belgium. Among the numerous exhibits were choice examples of Belgian linens and lace, glassware, soaps, dried-fruits, cereals, preserved meats and bacon, and canned-fish.

Long Beach 1928: Czechoslovakia Building.....

2009-01-27T07:00:00.001-08:00

The Czechoslovakia Building was situated west of the Japanese Building, on the south side of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's Avenue of Nations. The building was designed in a simple Czechoslovakian country style, with step-walled gables and a wood-shingled roof. Within the building were displayed a variety of handcrafted items, consisting of rugs, carpets, fabrics, felt hats, gloves, shoes, toys, pencils, cigarette holders, matches, fine linen and embroidery, ceramics, Bohemian glass, vases, bowls, candlesticks, and many other articles produced exclusively by the hand of man.

Long Beach 1928: Japanese Building.....

2009-01-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located on the south side of the Avenue of Nations, west of the Guatemala Building, the Japanese Building was constructed in the style of Japan's Nara period, and surrounded by a small Japanese garden. Reinan Tsukanoto was the architect of the building, and Chiura Obata the artist responsible for the structure's beautiful interior decoration. The Japanese Building was so popular among visitors that it was called "the best of all the foreign structures" at the Pacific Southwest Exposition. The many exhibits contained within the building consisted of displays brought from the San Francisco Japanese Commercial Museum, and merchandise contributed by numerous Japanese merchants of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Long Beach 1928: Ecuador Building.....

2009-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Ecuador Building was located on the north side of the Avenue of Nations, immediately west of the Bolivia Building, and was a structure of Spanish design with small round towers at its corners. Ecuador was the first foreign nation to pledge an exhibit for the Pacific Southwest Exposition; and when the promised displays did not arrive in time for the exposition's opening, Dr. Victor M. Egas, Consul of Ecuador at Los Angeles, contributed his own collection of Ecuadorian products to the building until the official exhibits arrived on August 3rd. The interior of the building contained fine displays of minerals, balsa wood, cocoa beans, coffee, salt, rubber, textiles, paintings, tapestries, embroidery, antique chests, and postage stamps.

Long Beach 1928: Bolivia Building.....

2009-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located on the north side of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's Avenue of Nations, across from the Guatemala Building, the Bolivia Building was designed in the style of an old colonial mission church; and entered through a deeply arched portal, topped with a belfry. The exhibits within the building consisted of relics of the ancient Incas, Vicuna robes and Alpaca textiles, Spanish-Colonial coins, oil paintings, musical instruments, solid-silver vessels, decorated pottery, and an array of Indian arts and crafts. A large display of minerals, medicinal plants, and agricultural products was also shown. A large map explained the principal regions of the country, and numerous placards contained information about the many tourist attractions to be seen in Potosi, Sucre, and La Paz.

Long Beach 1928: Guatemala Building.....

2009-01-23T07:00:00.001-08:00

Located west of the French Building, on the south side of the Avenue of Nations, the Guatemala Building was one of the most original structures built for the Pacific Southwest Exposition. Designed by Rafael Yela Gunther, internationally known sculptor and Indian art expert, the unique multi-colored building was patterned after the ancient pyramids of Central America. The interior contained displays of numerous arts and crafts, exhibits explaining the history of Guatemala, and a coffee display.

Long Beach 1928: French Building.....

2009-01-22T07:00:00.001-08:00

The French Building was situated on the south side of the Avenue of Nations, next to the Italian Building, and faced the Pacific Southwest Exposition's main court. The building was of Tunisian-style architecture, and featured a slender minaret, grilled windows, and a dome-topped entrance portal. The interior contained numerous artworks, textiles, tapestries, furniture, and the original Coach of State, used by Napoleon Bonaparte. Plans were originally made for the Coach of State to tour the United States, to raise funds for a place of retreat for men who were severely maimed during the First World War. However, before the tour started, an anonymous American woman donated $200,000 to construct the facility for these "Men with the Broken Faces", and the historic coach was instead brought to Long Beach. After arriving at the exposition, the coach was dedicated by silent-film actress Renee Adoree, and placed in the French Building where it was admired by thousands of visitors.

Long Beach 1928: Italian Building.....

2009-01-21T07:00:00.001-08:00

Located on the south side of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's Avenue of Nations, next to the Persian Building, the Italian Building was designed in a simple rural-style, with a triple-arched entrance portal and a tiled-roof. The interior of the building contained a variety of rare Italian arts and antiques, and was divided into two sections: the Hall of Caesars, and the Hall of Canova. The Hall of Caesars contained displays of ancient Italian coins, sculptures, and furnishings; while the Hall of Canova's exhibits consisted of tapestries, paintings, and ironwork.

Long Beach 1928: Mexican Building.....

2009-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Pacific Southwest Exposition's Mexican Building was located on the north side of the Avenue of Nations, directly across from the Persian Building. The structure, designed in a Mexican rural-style, contained numerous displays of traditional Mexican arts and crafts; in addition to modern paintings, and reproductions of Mayan and Aztec antiquities. Senor Francisco Cornejo, respected Mexican artist and patriot, was responsible for the planning and organization of the exhibits; and one entire gallery was devoted exclusively to his remarkable works of art, consisting of original paintings and sculpture, produced over a period of eighteen years.

Long Beach 1928: Persian Building.....

2009-01-19T07:00:00.001-08:00

The Persian Building was located on the south side of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's Avenue of Nations, adjacent to the Latin-American Building. The entrance to the traditionally designed structure was through an arched Persian-style portal, flanked by two slender minarets. Persian diplomat, Dr. Ali-Kuli Kahn, served as the building's host; and the exhibits contained within were all from his personal collection. Dr. Kahn also presented daily lectures regarding the various objects displayed in the building, as well as many educational and historical discourses about Persia. The numerous displays consisted of rare books, manuscripts, rugs, silks, tapestries, furnishings, miniatures, tiles, metalwork, and jewelry. The entire collection of Persian treasures was valued at over $1,000,000; although many of the objects were actually priceless, due to their rarity.

Long Beach 1928: Latin-American Building.....

2009-01-18T07:00:00.001-08:00

Located at the east end of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's Avenue of Nations, the Spanish-style Latin-American Building was initially constructed to house the exhibits of Spain, and named the Iberian Palace. When the Spanish exhibit did not materialize, the spacious Iberian Palace was re-named the Latin-American Building, and filled with displays from Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and the Philippine Islands. The Chilean exhibit consisted of choice examples of minerals and many agricultural products; while Costa Rica, Cuba, and Peru were represented by numerous displays of their traditional arts and crafts. The Fiji Islands contributed cultural exhibits, showing the advancements made by a people commonly referred to as cannibals and head-hunters. Hawaii's exhibit consisted of agricultural products, curios, and advertising matter; and the Philippine Islands exhibit contained comprehensive displays of the republic's various modern industries.

Long Beach 1928: Avenue of Nations.....

2009-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Avenue of Nations was located along the south side of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's main exhibit palaces, and lined with structures containing exhibits from twenty-two countries. Running east to west, the avenue began at the Latin-American Building and ended at the Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and New Zealand Building. Between these two structures were situated ten additional buildings, representing the nations of Belgium, Bolivia, Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and Persia. Two countries not represented by buildings along the Avenue of Nations were China, whose displays were located in the Palace of Fine Arts; and the Republic of Argentina, which was unofficially represented by exhibits in several of the main exhibit palaces. An arched-gateway, located in the exposition's garden-court, formed the main entrance to the Avenue of Nations; with an additional entrance opening from the main court, between the Palace of Fine Arts and the California Building. Dr. Henry C. Niese and Arnold Kruckman, both members of the exposition's Board of Control, were credited with the success of the Avenue of Nations; and had managed to assemble an impressive array of foreign participation within a relatively short period of time.

Long Beach 1928: Palace of Industry.....

2009-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Situated at the west end of the spacious main court, the Palace of Industry was the largest exhibit building at the Pacific Southwest Exposition. A Moorish-style portal, located at the base of the Muezzin Tower, formed the main entrance to the structure, which contained nearly ten acres of floor-space. The vast interior was divided into five main divisions, consisting of Varied Industries, Pure Foods and Household Equipment, Land and Community Development, Oil and Mining, and Manufactures, Machinery and Automotives. Due to the overlapping of many industries, the exposition's Director of Installation, Colonel John W. Ryckman, had difficulty segregating the hundreds of exhibits into their proper divisions; and the displays intermingled almost to a point of confusion. However, the end result was harmonious, and viewed as one of the finest collection of exhibits ever assembled for an American exposition. The Division of Varied Industries contained a diverse variety of exhibits, primarily from small industries, ranging from mouse-traps to radio broadcasting equipment. The Division of Pure Foods and Household Equipment covered an acre of floor-space, and consisted of many varieties of prepared foods, and exhibits from the leading manufacturers of household products. The Division of Land and Community Development contained displays from several California counties, illustrating the agricultural successes made possible by a combination of fertile soil, fresh water, and a temperate climate; in addition to examples of modern homes and other civic structures. The Division of Oil and Mining consisted of exhibits from many California oil and petroleum companies, as well as displays from various mines throughout the state. The Division of Manufactures, Machinery and Automotives was one of the divisions found most difficult to segregate, with the majority of its numerous exhibits overlapping into each of the building's other four divisions. South-west of the Palace of Industry was situated the Hopi Indian Village; and the exposition's 8,000-seat outdoor theatre, where the musical extravaganza "Friendship of Nations" was presented daily to enormous crowds. Immediately north of the outdoor theatre was the "Fun Strip" amusement area, containing a varied assortment of rides, shows, and food-stands.

Long Beach 1928: California Building.....

2009-01-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

The State of California Building was located adjacent to the Palace of Industry, at the south-west corner of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's main court. The building was designed in a Moorish-Spanish style, with a heavily buttressed front facade and a dome-topped entrance pavilion. The interior of the building contained displays from throughout California, divided into departments devoted to agriculture, public works, natural resources, institutions, public health, social welfare, industrial relations, education, state printing, motor vehicles, highways, engineering and irrigation, and water rights. A separate exhibit, in conjunction with the United States Departments of Forestry and Fisheries, showed the natural beauty of California's many forests and rivers; including an actual trout-stream stocked with German brown trout. The City and County of Los Angeles was represented by a comprehensive display illustrating numerous improvements being made throughout the metropolitan area; and the City of San Francisco exhibited a large animated scale-model of the entire city, which had required eighteen months to construct, and contained over 40,000 pieces of carved wood.

Long Beach 1928: Palace of Transportation.....

2009-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Pacific Southwest Exposition's Palace of Transportation was located at the north-west corner of the main court, adjacent to the Palace of Industry. Within the building were displays of many forms of transportation, both ancient and modern. A navigation exhibit explained the advancements made in marine transportation, using numerous models of ships; and several steamship companies promoted comfortable ocean travel in their latest luxury-liners. The railroad companies of the Pacific coast presented a comprehensive exhibit of modern travel by rail, with Southern Pacific; Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe; and Union Pacific being represented. One of the most visited sections of the building was the area devoted to aerial navigation, where the history of air travel was shown; in addition to exhibits by several aviation companies, including Maddox Air Lines; and Lockheed Aircraft Company. An interesting display of both curious and practical scale-model airplanes and motorless-gliders was presented by students of the Long Beach school system, and sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Other exhibits within the building included Western Union Telegraph Company; Western Auto Supply Company; Pickwick Stage System; City Transfer and Storage Company; and the Los Angeles Harbor Board. Additionally, world-famous aviator Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh's unannounced visit to the aviation section, on an August evening, was one of the memorable occurrences in the Palace of Transportation.

Long Beach 1928: Palace of Textiles & Modes.....

2009-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located at the north-east corner of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's main court, the Palace of Textiles & Modes contained displays relating to the textile and garment industries, in addition to exhibits of general interest to women. The aisles of the building were lined with numerous displays of carpets, rugs, draperies, pillows, blankets, linens, table coverings, fine lace, hats, handbags, shoes, hosiery, under-garments, neckties, suits, gowns, shirts, and many other types of clothing related items. Various manufacturers and distributors of colognes, perfumes, powders, and cosmetics were also represented; and a general women's exhibit showed the many contributions made by modern woman to the arts, as well as their increasing involvement in the fields of science and industry.

Long Beach 1928: Palace of Fine Arts.....

2009-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Palace of Fine Arts was located at the south-east corner of the Pacific Southwest Exposition's main court. The building, which also partially faced the garden-court, featured a heavily-buttressed facade with a domed pavilion forming the main entrance. The interior contained numerous works of modern art gathered throughout the western United States. Director of Fine Arts, Theodore B. Modra, selected art that would appeal more to the novice, as opposed to those who already possessed a strong appreciation of art. Mr. Modra's intention was to show that art made life more beautiful, and gave one a better understanding of the wonders of nature. Numerous pieces of sculpture were effectively displayed at the center of the building; with hundreds of fine paintings, miniatures, and choice examples of decorative & graphic arts filling the remainder of the galleries. The building's near-perfect illumination was an achievement in color filtration, which allowed a mellow diffusion of natural light to enter the interior. The exhibition in the Palace of Fine Arts was deemed as being the most interesting collection of art ever assembled in the west, with over ninety medals, mentions, and cash-prizes awarded. Many persons greatly regretted that the City of Long Beach did not then contain an art museum where the collection could have been permanently transferred after the close of the exposition.

Long Beach 1928: Main Court.....

2009-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Located beyond the west arcade of the garden-court was the main court of the Pacific Southwest Exposition. The Palace of Fine Arts, Palace of Textiles & Modes, Palace of Transportation, California Building, and the Palace of Industry all faced this spacious court; with its wide graveled walks, bordered by narrow lawns and many varieties of shrubs. At the center of the court was placed the rectangular Pool of Reflections, which contained a circular bandstand where daily concerts were performed. Four exhibit buildings, on the court's north and south sides, featured heavily buttressed walls upon which were located eight colorfully-tiled Moorish fountains. Situated on the west side of the main court was the imposing Muezzin Tower, of ninth-century Mohammedan architecture, from which daily "calls to prayer" were issued, at noon and 6pm, by a costumed Arab. The main court opened to the French Building on the south, located along the Avenue of Nations; and on the north to the Ship Cafe, situated on the waterfront. At night the expansive court was brilliantly illuminated in rainbow hues, by numerous multi-colored floodlights.

Long Beach 1928: Palace of Education & Liberal Arts.....

2009-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Palace of Education & Liberal Arts was located on the north side of the garden-court, just inside the main entrance to the Pacific Southwest Exposition. A stately Moorish portal marked the entry to the building, which contained a large exhibit hall, foyer, and the 750-seat Little Theatre. On the north side of the building was placed a 3000-seat stadium, where many athletic events were staged. Inside the building were numerous educational and liberal arts displays; including extensive educational exhibits from the Long Beach public schools, the University of California educational system, and many private colleges in the south-west United States. The Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Y.M.C.A., and Y.W.C.A. had comprehensive displays; and the building also housed a model print-shop, model home, and several health, vocational, and citizenship exhibits. In the Little Theatre were presented a variety of plays, musical programs, novelty acts, and lectures.

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

2009-01-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Long Beach 1928: The Pacific Southwest Exposition.....

2009-01-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

On September 29th, 1927 a special meeting was held by the Board of Directors of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. At this meeting the Board's Executive Vice President, J. David Larsen, first presented the idea for an exposition that would be different in many ways. Unlike many previous expositions, the Long Beach celebration would not commemorate any particular event. Its sole purpose would be to promote the material development, industrial achievement, and commercial & cultural progress of California's Pacific Southwest. A sixty-three acre tract of land, on the city's waterfront, was selected as the site for the Pacific Southwest Exposition, which would open on July 27th, 1928. After several months of organization and planning, construction of the $650,000 exposition began in May of 1928. The exposition was to be unlike any other, with the main group of buildings designed in a Tunisian-style, and grouped around two large courtyards. This miniature city was approached by heading west on Seventh Street, where the exposition's plain white exterior walls could be seen from downtown Long Beach. After reaching the exposition's parking-lot, a central pavilion with a large archway and Persian-style dome formed the entrance to the main complex of buildings. After passing through this imposing entrance, a lushly-planted garden-court, containing lawns, palms, and shrubbery, greeted the visitor. This court, paved with gravel walks, was surrounded on three sides by a Moorish-style arcade, topped with a roof of mission tile. Upon crossing the garden, and passing through the arcade on the court's west side, a more spacious court appeared. This second main court contained a large rectangular pool at its center, named the Pool of Reflections. At the center of the pool was a bandstand, and overlooking the court was the imposing Muezzin Tower, where daily "calls to prayer" were issued by a costumed Arab. Surrounding both courts were the exposition's main exhibit palaces: the Palace of Fine Arts, Palace of Education & Liberal Arts, Palace of Textiles & Modes, Palace of Transportation, California Building, and the large Palace of Industry. Located south of the main group of palaces was the Avenue of Nations, where buildings of many architectural styles contained exhibits from twenty-two countries. On the west side of the Palace of Industry was situated the Amusement Zone and an 8,000-seat open-air theatre. The north side of the grounds contained an athletic stadium and the Ship Cafe, which occupied the interior of a large schooner moored on the waterfront. The entire exposition was constructed in 10-1/2 weeks, and despite the solid outward appearance of its structures, they were all built of wood, and covered with plaster-board and stucco. Roofs of the main exhibit palaces were all of tightly-stretched white canvas. Towers, arches, columns, doorways, windows, and balconies were designed to cast deep shadows upon the plain exterior walls, similar to an actual Tunisian city. Large copper pots, containing burning incense, were placed in various locations; and eight small tiled fountains were located along the the inner walls of the main court. Costumed international entertainers roamed throughout the grounds; and at night the exposition buildings were illuminated using a rainbow of multi-colored flood-lights. By the time it closed on September 3rd, approximately 1,100,000 persons had visited the highly successful, 5-1/2 week-long, Pacific Southwest Exposition.

New Orleans 1885: Exposition Trade Cards.....

2009-01-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Trade cards were a popular form of advertising during the latter half of the nineteenth century, and were distributed by almost every exhibitor at the 1884-1885 World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, and the 1885-1886 North, Central and South American Exposition. These cards were produced in various sizes, shapes, and styles; and ranged from simple black & white lettered versions, to elaborate multi-colored works of art. The type of card handed-out by an exhibitor generally represented the prominence and financial success of his company. Most trade cards contained eye-catching and witty advertising on the front, and information about products or services on the reverse side. Since trade cards were distributed at no cost, they were collected by exposition visitors as free souvenirs; and proudly glued into scrap books, which were gaining in popularity during the 1880's. A large "Exposition Scrap Book" was produced for sale, so that visitors might separate their exposition trade cards from other cards they had collected. Pictured below are several types of New Orleans exposition trade cards, produced from 1884-1886:

New Orleans 1885: Souvenir Books.....

2009-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Illustrated souvenir books were one of many popular items sold in cities and other points of interest during the 1880's. The detailed lithographs contained in these books, reproduced from photographs and artists drawings, provided tourists with an inexpensive visual record of their travels. Several types of illustrated souvenir books were produced for sale in New Orleans during the 1884-1885 World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, and the 1885-1886 North, Central and South American Exposition. The majority of the illustrations contained within the accordion-fold souvenir books were points of interest in New Orleans, including Canal Street, City Hall, the St. Charles Hotel, Jackson Square, the French Market, St. Louis Cemetery, Spanish Fort, and scenes along the levee. All illustrations of the 1884-1885 exposition were artists conceptions of the grounds and buildings, as the souvenir books were produced prior to the exposition's completion. Similar illustrated souvenir books were again issued for the 1885-1886 exposition, but contained the same artists conceptions of the exposition grounds and buildings, re-titled as the North, Central and South American Exposition. Below are several examples of these illustrated souvenir books, sold during the 1884-1886 exposition period:

New Orleans 1885: Exposition Guide Books.....

2009-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

To assist persons visiting New Orleans during the 1884-1886 exposition periods, several illustrated guide books were published. These guides not only provided information about both expositions, but also contained detailed information about the city of New Orleans. In preparation for the 1884-1885 World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, a 162-page official guide-book was published, titled "The New Orleans Guide and Exposition Handbook". This guide contained fold-out maps of New Orleans and the exposition grounds, and was filled with information about the city. However, only a small portion of the guide was actually devoted to the exposition, and contained mainly promotional material, much of which was inaccurate. A second guide book, titled "Visitors' Guide to the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition and New Orleans", contained only 48-pages, but was much more accurate in describing the exposition than the so-called "official" guide. In preparation for the 1885-1886 North, Central and South American Exposition, an official 64-page guide book was published, titled "Official Visitors' Guide to the North, Central and South American Exposition". This guide, although limited by its size, was very detailed. The book also included a brief tour of the exposition grounds, listing a majority of the restaurants and refreshment stands. Some critics advised visitors against purchasing any of the so-called exposition guides, since none of these publications were completely accurate. All three of the exposition guide books are pictured below:

New Orleans 1885: Magazine & Newspaper Illustrations of the Exposition.....

2009-01-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Numerous articles about the New Orleans exposition could be found within the pages of the period’s many illustrated publications, including The Century Magazine, Harper's Weekly, Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, The Youth’s Companion, and St. Nicholas. These articles not only promoted the exposition, but also served as a travelogue and substitute for those who could not attend. A variety of educational articles were published, containing descriptions of the grounds, buildings, and exhibits; with some including entertaining stories about the behavior and mannerisms of exposition visitors. During the 1880’s most magazines and newspapers still used line-drawings to illustrate their publications, since half-tone illustrations, reproduced directly from photographic images, had not yet been perfected. Some of these detailed drawings were based on actual photographs, while others were artist interpretations; but the majority were a combination of both. Below are several of the many line-drawings produced to illustrate the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, taken from period magazines and newspapers: