On this date in 1904, the Oakes Republican noted that North Dakota would be proudly taking part in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, better known as the St. Louis World’s Fair. The Fair sprawled across 657 acres at a cost of eleven million dollars.
North Dakota opted not to have a building of its own. Instead, the state’s $50,000 appropriation for the fair was split between exhibits in several buildings. The main exhibit was in the Palace of Agriculture. It featured the two-room cabin that Teddy Roosevelt lived in. It displayed his furniture, clothes, and mounted animal heads. Since Teddy was president at the time of the fair, his cabin was a big draw. He visited the Fair and went to see it for himself. Also in the agriculture building were examples of every crop grown in the state, using the best samples collected in 1903.
In the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy, North Dakota was represented by displays on items like coal, clay, and building stones. The Forestry, Fish, and Game Building featured the wild game of the state. North Dakota also participated in the Colonnade of States with a gigantic statue sculpted by artist Bruno L. Zimm. So, even though North Dakota did not have its own pavilion, the state was well represented.
For 184 days almost twenty million people attended the fair to be entertained and amazed. The Fair showcased innovations and inventions. Electricity was a modern marvel. And the Wright Brothers, who had made their successful first flight only the year before, brought their Wright Flier to the Fair. Henry Ford was also at the Fair, having established the Ford Motor Company the year before.
While the hamburger and the ice cream cone were not created especially for the Fair, the exposure to such a broad audience made them instantly popular. The Fair inspired the song “Meet Me in St. Louis,” as well as the movie of the same name starring Judy Garland. And while the third Olympic Games were held in conjunction with the Fair, they were largely overwhelmed by all the excitement over the Fair itself.
And finally, a couple more North Dakota notes. The state press association made the fair its destination for their annual excursion, and two North Dakota politicians, Roger Allin and Frank White, won gold medals for exhibits of grain they grew.
Dakota Datebook by Carole Butcher
Sources:
Oakes Republican. “All the States at the World’s Fair.” Oakes ND. 22 July 1904. Page 8.
At the Fair. “North Dakota.” http://atthefair.homestead.com/States/NorthDakota.html Accessed 14 June 2019.
Mark Halvorson. Email to author. 14 June 2019.
