The Louisiana Purchase Exposition

Welcome to a photographic journey through a time when electric power was changing the course of history.  Every function of a global population began to change and it is in these photographs that you discovery the gigantic leap into the Modern Era.

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition was a fair to celebrate the centennial of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.  Planning began early in 1898, with Kansas City and St. Louis initially presented as potential hosts for a fair.

The exhibition was designed in grand scale and required lengthy preparations.  The expositions $15 million capitalization came in the form of earmarked funds and were part of a congressional appropriations bill aided by the support of President of the United States; William McKinley.  

St. Louis was chosen to host the exposition.  In St. Louis, the fair covered 1,200-acres.  There were over 1,500 buildings.  The length of roads and walkways totaled 75 miles. Exhibits featured industries, cities, private organizations and corporations, theater troupes, music schools and over 50 concession-type amusements found on "The Pike".  

Originally conceived as a centennial celebration and to be held in 1903, it was delayed until the spring of 1904.  The delay enabled involvement by more states and foreign countries. The exposition remained in operation from its opening on April 30, 1904, until December 1, 1904. 19,694,855 visitors came to the fair.  And remember – this was 1904.