BGuthrie Photos: CA -- Sacramento -- State Capitol -- Exhibit: California Invites the World

CA -- Sacramento -- State Capitol -- Exhibit: California Invites the World:

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Description of Pictures: California Invites the World: 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition

1915 Panama Pacific Exposition exhibit posterThe late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were the golden age for the great world’s fair expositions. The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was no exception. Before there was Disneyland, there was an earlier “magic kingdom.” The San Francisco exposition was known by many names: “The Dream City,” “The City of Domes,” and “The Jewel City.” It celebrated not only the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914, but the rebirth of San Francisco after the devastating 1906 earthquake.

Between February 20 and December 4, 1915, over 19 million people flocked from all over the world to the marvels it contained. The 650-acre world’s fair was constructed to stand for less than a year, and today, all that remains is the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District.

Visitors to the State Capitol Museum will have the opportunity to view rarely displayed items from the fair that come from the special collections of the California State Library.

These will include hundreds of never-before-seen photographs. A copy of a sculpture that graced the Exposition, Adolph Weinman’s “Night Descending” will also be on display, courtesy of Hearst Castle. There will be numerous charming and delightful pieces on loan from private collections as well. One of the three exhibit rooms at the State Capitol Museum will even feature seldom seen period films and photographic slide shows.

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. SCAPC1_140718_001.JPG: California Invites the World 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition May 24, 2014 - April 25, 2015
2. SCAPC1_140718_004.JPG: "All the World Is A Fair" -- An Introduction to World's Fairs: "Expositions are the timekeepers of progress. They record the world's advancement. They stimulate the energy, enterprise, and intellect of the people and quicken human genius. They go into the home. They broaden and brighten the daily life of people. They open mighty storehouses of information to the student. Every exposition, great or small, has helped this onward step." -- President William McKinley For centuries, the grandeur of monumental structures and spectacular views has drawn countless humans towards them. The great Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was no exception. Between February 20 and December 4, 1915, over 19 million people visited this grand exposition held in San Fransisco during the ten months it was open. But the PPIE was not the only exposition to celebrate the remarkable achievement of the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914. The Panama-California Exposition, held in San Diego (1915-16), likewise attracted numerous visitors to California. The history of international expositions and world's fairs could be said to have started in 1851, with the Crystal Palace Exposition in London, England. The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were the golden age for great expositions: the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876; the Paris Exposition in 1889; and the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893. The PPIE would be the twelfth world's fair and third US fair. Even by 1857, California would be poised to open its own first industrial exposition when it hosted the San Fransisco Mechanics' Institute fair. San Francisco would also later be the home to a major world exposition in 1894, the Mid-Winter Exposition, held in Golden Gate Park.
3. SCAPC1_140718_008.JPG: "The Big Ditch" -- Panama Canal: "There is not one action of the American government, in connection with foreign affairs, from the day when the Constitution was adopted down to the present time, so important as the action taken by this government in connection with the acquisition and building of the Panama Canal." -- President Theodore Roosevelt, 1915 The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was built to celebrate the completion of one of the greatest engineering feats in human history, the Panama Canal. The San Francisco built battleship, USS "Oregon," figured prominently in events leading up to the construction of the Panama Canal and the PPIE itself. In order to take part in the Spanish-American Warm she had to make a lengthy 12,000-mile voyage all the way around South America in 1898. Afterwards there were national calls for the construction of the strategic canal to shorten the distance. The 50 mile Panama Canal, located on the isthmus separating North and South America, took 10 years to construct. Completed in 1915, it shortened the distance between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans by over 8,000 miles and 46 days.
4. SCAPC1_140718_013.JPG: "Undaunted" -- the Rebuilding of San Francisco: The Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was also staged to bring national attention to San Francisco's recovery after the devastating earthquake and fire that leveled the city in 1906. Even before the disaster, San Franciscans called for a redesign of the city's chaotic layout along the orderly lines of the "City Beautiful" movement. Noted architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham was commissioned in 1905 to draw up plans for this major urban project. In the end however, the grandiose "Burnham Plan" was abandoned as being too unrealistic. Plans, however, for a new Civic Center did not go forward. After 1906, some believed San Francisco was the "City that was." Others campaigned for a new better "City that is." Everyone, however, understood the importance of hosting the PPIE to the future of the city's recovery. Once this goal had been achieved, many competing plans were put forward to have Exposition constructed in Golden Gate Park or other sites in San Francisco. It was finally decided to develop Harbor View, a swampy coastal strip along the north shore of San Francisco, as the site for the PPIE. Today this area is known as the Marina District.
5. SCAPC1_140718_017.JPG: "Tournament of Cities" -- Securing, Planning and Promoting: The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was the product of many years of lobbying and campaigning to hold the fair in San Fransisco. As early as 1904, Californians began making plans for celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal. San Francisco, however, had many contenders for hosting the prestigious event, principle among them being New Orleans. Intense lobbying of local and national politicians was required to get the support that was necessary for gaining the right to hold the Exposition. For San Francisco, the final decision for determining the location of the World's Fair lay in the hands of Congress. During what was known as the "argument week" (October, 1910), Congressmen were inundated with over 2 million pieces of mail petitioning them to favor one city over another. In the end, San Francisco was able to gain the votes in Congress and secure itself as the location for the PPIE. Present [President] William H. Taft signed a Joint Resolution on February 15, 1911, designating San Francisco the "Exposition City." San Diego which had put forward an unsuccessful bid for hosting the fair at Balboa Park was allowed to hold the Panama-California Exposition between 1915 and 1916.
6. SCAPC1_140718_021.JPG: The Role of Government: "We lived in a period of the Golden Age, those days of the Panama-Pacific Exposition, when Mayor Rolph... became almost overnight showman and host to the visiting world." -- David Wooster Taylor, The Life of James Rolph Jr. Government had a pivotal role in Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Without the coordinated efforts of national, state and local leaders, the Exposition would have never taken place. San Francisco's newly elected mayor -- and later governor of California -- James Rolph Jr., worked tirelessly to make the Fair a reality. He helped to successfully rally the voter's [sic] support for $5 million bond measure to support the construction of the PPIE. Crucial to his plans were bullding up the city's infrastructure, such as water supply, street car lines, etc. Between 1904 and 1915, three of California's governors took an active role in moving the project forward. Likewise, the California Legislature passed laws and resolutions to aid in the promotion and support of the PPIE. Even the wording of the 1879 State Constitution was changed so as to allow for raising a special tax to help provide $5 million for the Exposition. Presidents Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson, were instrumental in carrying forward the massive project. Taft signed Congressional legislation into law which made San Francisco the official US site for the World's Fair and took part in [the] ground breaking ceremony in 1911. Though Wilson was unable to attend the fair, he officially opened the PPIE with a telegraph message sent from Washington, DC.
7. SCAPC1_140718_025.JPG: Within the City: A Panoramic View of the PPIE: "I think the Exposition surpassed anything ever before built by man... To miss seeing it it would be an irreparable loss." -- Grace Darling The Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) covered 635 acres and was over two miles in length. It was a virtual city within a city. It was subdivided into three main sections: the Central group of eleven main exhibition palaces centered around the "Court of the Universe"; the Eastern group, with its nearby 65 acre amusement park called "The Zone"; and the Western group, with the 28 State and 21 Foreign Pavilions, a race track and livestock area. The Exposition grounds were laid out on a new design or "court plan" that had 5 major courtyards with intersecting avenues and numerous reflecting pools and fountains. The Federal government turned over parts of the Presidio and Fort Mason for use by the corporation that operated the Exposition. [The map notes that the only surviving building from the PPIE is the Palace of Fine Arts.]
8. SCAPC1_140718_028.JPG: The Role of Business: The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was both a public and private enterprise. Because the Fair did not receive any federal money, private fundraising was critical to the success to the PPIE. The full participation of business community would be essential if plans for the fair were to go forward. On August 28, 1910, San Francisco and California boosters came together for the "Four million dollar meeting." Within less than 2 hours they had pledged $4,089,000 in support of the Fair. Soon more money followed from California counties, corporations, companies, and benefactors, until more than $20 million was raised. The exposition was intended to be a money-making venture. T his was the top priority that shaped the planning for the PPIE. Key to this effort would be making the PPIE a profitable operation by all means necessary. Because many earlier expositions had ended in financial failure, special consultants were brought in, who had prior experience with previous fairs. They made important recommendations that assured the financial success of the PPIE. They called for the need to attracting enough visitors, projecting ticket sales, licensing, exhibition and vendor fees, rental revenues and various surcharges. San Francisco businessman Charles Moore was the president of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition Company and the public face of the Fair. He tirelessly oversaw the construction of the PPIE, directed the Fair's various departments and managed the daily operation of the fair.
9. SCAPC1_140718_032.JPG: "Exposition City" -- Constructing the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: In planning for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE), nothing was left to chance. Every single detail was attended to by the Panama-Pacific Exposition Company, the private corporation established in 1910 to build and operate the Fair. All construction on the 635 acre site would have to begin from the ground up. Over 1.3 million cubic yards of sand and mud were pumped from San Francisco Bay to fill in the grounds and eleven miles of water pipes laid just to bring water to the fairgrounds. A million square feet of roads needed to be constructed and 75 acres of specially planted trees, flowers and lawns. The volume of building materials used was staggering: over 80 million board feet of lumber, 869,000 feet of piling, nearly a million square feet of glass, 372,000 feet of phone and electrical cable, 130,000 linear feet of water mains and 130,000 linear feet of sewer lines. The 435 feet [sic] high "Tower of Jewels," the highest building at the PPIE, required 3.4 million cubic feet of concrete, 1.5 million feet of timber, and 1,400 tons of steel. The 595 days of construction prior to the Fair's opening required over 2 million man hours and a payroll of $7.5 million. After 20 months of construction, the "Exposition City" was ready to open on February 20, 1915.
10. SCAPC1_140718_037.JPG: "Exposition City" -- Constructing the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: In planning for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE), nothing was left to chance. Every single detail was attended to by the Panama-Pacific Exposition Company, the private corporation established in 1910 to build and operate the Fair. All construction on the 635 acre site would have to begin from the ground up. Over 1.3 million cubic yards of sand and mud were pumped from San Francisco Bay to fill in the grounds and eleven miles of water pipes laid just to bring water to the fairgrounds. A million square feet of roads needed to be constructed and 75 acres of specially planted trees, flowers and lawns. The volume of building materials used was staggering: over 80 million board feet of lumber, 869,000 feet of piling, nearly a million square feet of glass, 372,000 feet of phone and electrical cable, 130,000 linear feet of water mains and 130,000 linear feet of sewer lines. The 435 feet [sic] high "Tower of Jewels," the highest building at the PPIE, required 3.4 million cubic feet of concrete, 1.5 million feet of timber, and 1,400 tons of steel. The 595 days of construction prior to the Fair's opening required over 2 million man hours and a payroll of $7.5 million. After 20 months of construction, the "Exposition City" was ready to open on February 20, 1915.
11. SCAPC1_140718_039.JPG: The Role of Business: The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was both a public and private enterprise. Because the Fair did not receive any federal money, private fundraising was critical to the success to the PPIE. The full participation of business community would be essential if plans for the fair were to go forward. On August 28, 1910, San Francisco and California boosters came together for the "Four million dollar meeting." Within less than 2 hours they had pledged $4,089,000 in support of the Fair. Soon more money followed from California counties, corporations, companies, and benefactors, until more than $20 million was raised. The exposition was intended to be a money-making venture. T his was the top priority that shaped the planning for the PPIE. Key to this effort would be making the PPIE a profitable operation by all means necessary. Because many earlier expositions had ended in financial failure, special consultants were brought in, who had prior experience with previous fairs. They made important recommendations that assured the financial success of the PPIE. They called for the need to attracting enough visitors, projecting ticket sales, licensing, exhibition and vendor fees, rental revenues and various surcharges. San Francisco businessman Charles Moore was the president of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition Company and the public face of the Fair. He tirelessly oversaw the construction of the PPIE, directed the Fair's various departments and managed the daily operation of the fair.
12. SCAPC1_140718_057.JPG: 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition
13. SCAPC1_140718_061.JPG: Getting There -- Transportation and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: Transportation was central to the success of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Millions of visitors were able to attend the Exposition either by the new street car lines of the San Francisco Muni system, railroad and ferryboat lines, and new roads for automobiles. Displays of aerial flight were also a prominent feature at the PPIE. American and Canadian railroad companies created special trains to bring visitors to the fair. They advertised travel along major northern, central and southern routes. Foreign and American shipping companies also advertised sea travel to and from San Francisco, often by the Panama Canal. The recently completed transcontinental Lincoln Highway aided travel to both San Francisco and San Diego fairs. The PPIE was the first World's Fair to have parking lots for automobiles. Once at the Fair, visitors could ride tour buses, "Electriquette" cars, or a miniature train.
14. SCAPC1_140718_068.JPG: Getting There -- Transportation and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: Transportation was central to the success of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Millions of visitors were able to attend the Exposition either by the new street car lines of the San Francisco Muni system, railroad and ferryboat lines, and new roads for automobiles. Displays of aerial flight were also a prominent feature at the PPIE. American and Canadian railroad companies created special trains to bring visitors to the fair. They advertised travel along major northern, central and southern routes. Foreign and American shipping companies also advertised sea travel to and from San Francisco, often by the Panama Canal. The recently completed transcontinental Lincoln Highway aided travel to both San Francisco and San Diego fairs. The PPIE was the first World's Fair to have parking lots for automobiles. Once at the Fair, visitors could ride tour buses, "Electriquette" cars, or a miniature train.
15. SCAPC1_140718_070.JPG: International Issues: The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) opened six months after the outbreak of World War I. For the Exposition promoter's promoters, the timing of the Fair could not have [been] worse. Many called for the cancellation of the Fair. At the same time, some nations withdrew from participating in the PPIE. Still, in the face of these cataclysmic events, the fair leaders went forward with their plans and many nations remained committed to exhibiting at the PPIE. Against this grim backdrop, the Fair offered many nations the opportunity to display the latest in military technology, which sadly would be used during the war to kill millions. Tragically, many of the international participants were at war with one another during the time of [the] Exposition. Other groups which took part in the PPIE called for the end to the conflict. They hoped that the Fair would offer the world a positive alternative to the collective destruction. The USS "Jason," a navy collier, was dispatched to bring back exhibition materials for the PPIE from many of the warring nations as Europe. Since the US had still not yet entered the war, the USS "Jason" could sail under the conditions of neutrality into the ports of these warring countries. When she arrived in San Francisco with her precious cargo in April of 1915, the Fair honored her crew for their service by holding a special "Jason Day" celebration.
16. SCAPC1_140718_079.JPG: International Issues: The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) opened six months after the outbreak of World War I. For the Exposition promoter's promoters, the timing of the Fair could not have [been] worse. Many called for the cancellation of the Fair. At the same time, some nations withdrew from participating in the PPIE. Still, in the face of these cataclysmic events, the fair leaders went forward with their plans and many nations remained committed to exhibiting at the PPIE. Against this grim backdrop, the Fair offered many nations the opportunity to display the latest in military technology, which sadly would be used during the war to kill millions. Tragically, many of the international participants were at war with one another during the time of [the] Exposition. Other groups which took part in the PPIE called for the end to the conflict. They hoped that the Fair would offer the world a positive alternative to the collective destruction. The USS "Jason," a navy collier, was dispatched to bring back exhibition materials for the PPIE from many of the warring nations as Europe. Since the US had still not yet entered the war, the USS "Jason" could sail under the conditions of neutrality into the ports of these warring countries. When she arrived in San Francisco with her precious cargo in April of 1915, the Fair honored her crew for their service by holding a special "Jason Day" celebration.
17. SCAPC1_140718_082.JPG: A World Celebration: As a world's fair, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was meant to celebrate the diversity of the nations of the world. The Exposition was the first to be held in the Pacific Coast and represented many of the nations of this region, including the recently acquired US possessions of Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and the Philippines. Over 20 nations proudly displayed aspects of their cultures with exhibits, displays and performances. For many of the visitors these were often their first encounters with many of the world's cultures. Most of the exhibits in the foreign pavilions were treated as educational exhibits and received high praise. Some "exhibits," particularly those in the amusement "Zone," often parodied many of these people's cultures. They were portrayed as "exotic" attractions for pure entertainment purposes. Native Americans, for instance, often faced stereotypical treatment at times during the PPIE. Ishi -- the last surviving member of his California tribe -- refused to take part in a staged event which he found demeaning. Many different ethnic groups expressed deep concern about these unflattering portrayals or even their ability to participate in the PPIE. The Fair's management was bale to address and rectify some of these issues.
18. SCAPC1_140718_084.JPG: The Military and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: The American military had a prominent role in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Beginning with the site itself, the US Army donated land for the Fair from parts of both Fort Mason and the Presidio. Units from the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps frequently took part in the Fair's events and festivities. They also went through many military exercises and drills, and mock battles. A company of Marines operated a battery of 48 search lights, or "Scintillators," which put on a nightly display of colored lights. Also, all uniformed US servicemen were allowed to visit the Fair free of charge. The USS Oregon, a battleship built in 1896 at San Francisco, became an iconic symbol of the Fair. After she had to make a lengthy voyage all the way around South America to take part in the Spanish-American War, there were many calls for the construction of the Panama Canal. With the Canal's completion, the Oregon was the first US warship to pass through the Panama Canal. After its return to the West Coast, the "Bulldog of the Navy" would be anchored off of the marina at the PPIE for the length of the Fair.
19. SCAPC1_140718_088.JPG: The Military and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: The American military had a prominent role in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Beginning with the site itself, the US Army donated land for the Fair from parts of both Fort Mason and the Presidio. Units from the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps frequently took part in the Fair's events and festivities. They also went through many military exercises and drills, and mock battles. A company of Marines operated a battery of 48 search lights, or "Scintillators," which put on a nightly display of colored lights. Also, all uniformed US servicemen were allowed to visit the Fair free of charge. The USS Oregon, a battleship built in 1896 at San Francisco, became an iconic symbol of the Fair. After she had to make a lengthy voyage all the way around South America to take part in the Spanish-American War, there were many calls for the construction of the Panama Canal. With the Canal's completion, the Oregon was the first US warship to pass through the Panama Canal. After its return to the West Coast, the "Bulldog of the Navy" would be anchored off of the marina at the PPIE for the length of the Fair.
20. SCAPC1_140718_090.JPG: "The Exposition City" -- The Operation of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: The Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was a vast undertaking, not only in its construction, but also in its day-to-day operation. For ten months, over 19 million visitors came through its gates. The 600 acre fair was a virtual city within a city, complete with its own police and fire departments, hospitals, hotels, power plants, post offices, telephones and water systems. The PPIE had specially constructed railroad yards and docking facilities built to handle the huge volume of people and massive amount of materials on a daily basis. It had thousands of employees to staff and maintain its various departments, exhibitions, grounds and operations. The meticulous planning that went into every detail was responsible for the Fair's great success.
21. SCAPC1_140718_094.JPG: "Artifice of Eternity" -- The Closing [of] the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: The short lived Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was over in less than a year's time. For many visitors, it was the most memorable event in their lives. What had taken so much effort to create, came down in a relatively short time. Buildings were razed, landscaping leveled, and sculpture destroyed. Some elements of the fair, however, did survive. A few buildings were spared and hauled away for reuse. At attempt was made to save the massive California Pavilion and turn [it] into it [sic] a teacher training college, but this ended in failure. The French Legion of Honor Pavilion was later recreated and made into one of San Francisco's premier art museums. In the end, the magnificent domed Palace of Fine Arts was the only structure to remain standing. The land on which the PPIE had been constructed was cleared, filled in and then sold off for new home construction. The unstable "made earth" on which they were built would later be the underlying cause for major destruction in the Marine district during the 1989 Lome Prieta earthquake. Even though this "artifice of eternity" is gone, the legacy of the PPIE still lived on. The Exposition helped to launch the careers of numerous architects and artists. The Fair helped to inspire the 1939 Gold Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. Likewise, it also served as an important inspiration for many future theme parks.
22. SCAPC1_140718_098.JPG: "Artifice of Eternity" -- The Closing [of] the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: The short lived Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was over in less than a year's time. For many visitors, it was the most memorable event in their lives. What had taken so much effort to create, came down in a relatively short time. Buildings were razed, landscaping leveled, and sculpture destroyed. Some elements of the fair, however, did survive. A few buildings were spared and hauled away for reuse. At attempt was made to save the massive California Pavilion and turn [it] into it [sic] a teacher training college, but this ended in failure. The French Legion of Honor Pavilion was later recreated and made into one of San Francisco's premier art museums. In the end, the magnificent domed Palace of Fine Arts was the only structure to remain standing. The land on which the PPIE had been constructed was cleared, filled in and then sold off for new home construction. The unstable "made earth" on which they were built would later be the underlying cause for major destruction in the Marine district during the 1989 Lome Prieta earthquake. Even though this "artifice of eternity" is gone, the legacy of the PPIE still lived on. The Exposition helped to launch the careers of numerous architects and artists. The Fair helped to inspire the 1939 Gold Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. Likewise, it also served as an important inspiration for many future theme parks.
23. SCAPC1_140718_126.JPG: "Novagems" "Oh! Tower of Jewels so wondrously bright. They Novagems sparkling by day and by night Flashing their fame o'er the land and the sea. Jewel City -- 1915 -- PPIE." -- Novagem Jewel Company advertisement One of the most unique features of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) were "Novagems." These jewel-like crystals were hung from the spectacular structure named in their honor, the "Tower of Jewels." This 435 foot high tower was the tallest building at the PPIE. The 102,000 "Novagems" which hung from it, shimmered and sparkled in the sunlight and blazed in a brilliant kaleidoscope of colors at night when illuminated from below by 54 floodlights. The multi-faceted glass "Novagems" were backed with special miniature mirrors to help reflect the light back through them. The specially patented crystals were manufactured in Bohemia. They came in seven different colors: crystal, yellow, rose, ruby, emerald, aquamarine, amethyst and topaz and ranged in many different sizes. "Novagems" were also sold as popular keepsakes of the fair.
24. SCAPC1_140718_146.JPG: Architecture: "I probably shall not be able to convince you how good the Exposition is. It ... is architecturally so successful that it at once raises the question why, if American architects can build temporary buildings as good as this, can't they build permanent ones of the same kind... A great lesson should be learned from this Exposition! I look forward to the regeneration of America by means of architecture." -- Edmund Wilson The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was the last of the great beaux-arts expositions. It also served as a grand show case for the "Four Wonderful Arts" -- landscape gardening, architecture, sculpture, and color. Principle among these creative expressions, were the many splendid buildings that were constructed for the 10 month fair. They were designed in wide variety of styles, ranging from Byzantine, Moorish to Romanesque. Major architectural firms, like McKim, Mead and White, where [sic] responsible for the overall design of the fair, while individual architects designed specific buildings. Among them were the noted California architects, Bernard Maybeck of the Palace of Fine Arts, and Julia Morgan who would go on to design Hearst Castle.
25. SCAPC1_140718_149.JPG: Chord of Color -- Color Scheme of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition: "In coloring a vast city of this kind (PPIE), I treated it as I would a canvas for a picture." -- Jules Guerin, Chief of Color The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) broke with the "white city" exposition tradition of past fairs by employing a wide range of colors. Chief of Color Jules Guerin created a palette of sold Mediterranean colors that was strictly adhered to for the overall color scheme of the Fair. The colors for all the buildings, lamp poles, park benches, gardens, and even sand for the paths all had to be approved beforehand. The PPIE was the very first world's fair to use indirect illumination. Gone were the unsightly strings of incandescent light bulbs used at previous fairs. Instead, Walter D'Archy Ryan, as Chief of Illumination, deployed hidden flood lights which created a "lviing film of light." The "fireless fair" was illuminated by 370 electric search lights, 500 projectors, and 300 lamps. The Tower of Jewels, at 435 feet, was not only the tallest building at the PPIE, but also one of the most iconic symbols of the Fair. It highlighted one of the new, never before seen features at world's fairs. The Tower was sheathed with over 100,00 sparkling "Novagems." These specially manufactured glass crystals cost $60,527 alone. They were lit by a unique and revolutionary illumination system, using 54 search lights below.
26. SCAPC1_140718_152.JPG: Music and Literature: Music was a central part of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Hundreds of various performances took place over the 10 months run. There was always music in the air: from daily organ recitals to dance bands: from children choruses to folk dance performances, from marching bands to symphonic concerts, there was always music in the air. Famous orchestras, such as the Boston Symphony and Metropolitan Opera orchestra gave stirring performances. Famed artists, such as John Philip Sousa the "March King," and French Composer, Camille Saint-Saens, not only conducted concerts, but also specifically wrote pieces to be performed at the PPIE. Many noted literary figures, including many California authors, wrote about the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Among others: Getrude Atherton, Mary Austin, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Edmund Wilson, and George Sterling. Also, numerous books, publications and magazine articles were produced covering various aspects of the Exposition. Numerous children's books were written about the fair.
27. SCAPC1_140718_155.JPG: Gospel of Beauty -- Art: "We may rest assured that the fortunate outsider who allows himself the luxury of travel will proclaim that the gospel of beauty has been preached most eloquently through the Panama-Pacific International Exposition." -- Eugen Neuhaus The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was in actuality an open air art museum. It was filled with over 1,500 "plastic creations" or sculptures and hundreds of paintings by some of the worlds' leading artists. August Rodin, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassat, Arthur Matthews, Maynard Dixon, and the African-American artist, Henry Ossawa Tanner, all exhibited their worlds at the Fair. The Palace of Fine Arts had 120 galleries that exhibited over 6,000 works of art. Many of the Foreign Pavilions also housed famous works of art. The creation of new Bay Area art museums after the Fair would be one of the most important legacies of the PPIE.
28. SCAPC1_140718_158.JPG: "Show Place of the World" Exhibits: "We saw a shining, almost imaginary building full of unbelievable works of sculpture, painting, weaving, basket making, products of agriculture, and all kinds of mechanical inventions... a place that couldn't possibly be real." -- William Saroyan Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was the show place of both the nation and the world. The 70,000 exhibits and displays at the Fair promoted a wide range of new products. The vast array of goods and products on display were not only presented for commercial reasons alone. Educational, informational and scientific exhibits were also an important feature of the Fair. As one observer noted, "The Panama-Pacific International Exposition will go down in history as one of the most potent educational influences of the century." The timing of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) presented planners with some special challenges for establishing guidelines for exhibits. This "half modern" era was a transitional period between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The operators wanted to only exhibit what they considered "modern" items which represented policies and inventions no less than 10 years old.
29. SCAPC1_140718_169.JPG: "The World's Food" -- Food: "The Food Products to All the World." -- Advertising Slogan Food is a major part of any fair or exposition, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was no exception. Restaurants and food stands were to be found throughout both the Exposition and the amusement park. Menus offered hungry visitors a wide variety of different cuisines and fast food items as well. Prices ranged from $1.50 for a Chinese meal to 10 cents for Turkish coffee; an omelet for 30 cents and a sandwich for to [sic] to 15 cents. Equally important to the PPIE, were hundreds of exhibits and displays that showcased various nations and state's food products, not the least of which were California's own impressive displays. The Golden State used the Fair as an important opportunity to highlight the rich bounty of its farms and ranches. Many manufacturers, including some that are still in business today, presented lavish displays of their varied products. Recipe books and pamphlets also helped to advertise many of these different product lines.
30. SCAPC1_140718_174.JPG: The First Magic Kingdom -- Children and the PPIE: Millions of children visited and took part in the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Daily events included everything from children's parades and pageants; to concerts and performances. Naturally of course there were amusement rides and carnival shows. The fair was promoted as being an educational experience for all who came, especially children. Many products were marketed towards kids and their parents. Also, numerous books and publications about the PPIE were directed at youthful audiences. Interestingly enough, at a special children's hospital on the fair ground, new born babies could be viewed in newly invented baby incubators.
31. SCAPC1_140718_177.JPG: "THe Zone" -- Panama-Pacific International Exposition Amusement Park: The carnival-like atmosphere of "The Zone" was in stark contrast to the stately grandeur of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). The "Zone" and the Exposition had an uneasy existence together. For some, the mile long amusement park was seen as some sort of opposite to the Fair, or an "anti-exposition." For others, it was one of the Fair's greatest attractions. While many of the 300 concessions were very popular and widely visited, others were less profitable and had to close early. Still, the 65 acre "Zone" provided millions of visitors with fun filled entertainment during the course of the PPIE. The most impressive of the many amusement rides was the 285 foot high "Aeroscope." It was designed by Joseph Strauss, the builder of the future Golden Gate Bridge. Numerous controversies arose over the "Zone" and its exhibits. Some were seen as being too frivolous, especially given the background to the carnage of the First World War. Some wome's' [sic] groups were also deeply troubled at what they saw as certain exhibits being injurious for young visitors. Along a similar vein, many women, who had just won the right to vote in 1911, took particular offense at a statue called "Panama Pankaline Imogene Equal Rights." After many protects, the unflattering statue was eventually renamed "Little Eva." Likewise, the San Francisco Chinese community was incensed by the debasing portrayals of Chinese in one exhibit and forced the vendors to change its content.
32. SCAPC1_140718_193.JPG: The Other Exposition -- Panama-California Exposition: The 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition (PCE) was held in San Diego and overlapped with the 1915 San Francisco, Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Both cities had competed to become the site of the World's Fair. There were some critical factors that seemed to favor San Diego, among them being its location, harbor and weather. But these were not enough to win out against the attractions of its more popular northerly neighbor. After the [sic] San Diego failed to be designated as the World's Fair in 1911, its promoters went ahead with holding a separate Exposition. Under the slogan, "The Land Divided -- The World United -- San Diego the First Port of Call," the city's boosters launched their grand enterprise. The San Diego Fair would be the result of five years of intensive planning and fund raising. On December 31, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson opened the PCE. As he had done earlier with the PPIE, he sent an electronic message of officialyl [sic] start the festivities. The Fair opened the next day for a full year. Because of its success, the Fair's run was extended an extra three months into 1916. It was visited by over 3.7 million fairgoers. The "Magic City's" scenic vistas, magnificent architecture and many exhibits rivaled those of the San Francisco Exposition. The San Diego Union went so far as to claim, "This [Panama-California Exposition] is not an Exposition, it is the expression of an idea." Nearly every country from Latin America was represented at the Fair and most of the hemisphere's Indian tribes were represented at a World Congress.
33. SCAPC1_140718_195.JPG: The Other Exposition -- Panama-California Exposition: The 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition (PCE) was held in San Diego and overlapped with the 1915 San Francisco, Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Both cities had competed to become the site of the World's Fair. There were some critical factors that seemed to favor San Diego, among them being its location, harbor and weather. But these were not enough to win out against the attractions of its more popular northerly neighbor. After the [sic] San Diego failed to be designated as the World's Fair in 1911, its promoters went ahead with holding a separate Exposition. Under the slogan, "The Land Divided -- The World United -- San Diego the First Port of Call," the city's boosters launched their grand enterprise. The San Diego Fair would be the result of five years of intensive planning and fund raising. On December 31, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson opened the PCE. As he had done earlier with the PPIE, he sent an electronic message of officialyl [sic] start the festivities. The Fair opened the next day for a full year. Because of its success, the Fair's run was extended an extra three months into 1916. It was visited by over 3.7 million fairgoers. The "Magic City's" scenic vistas, magnificent architecture and many exhibits rivaled those of the San Francisco Exposition. The San Diego Union went so far as to claim, "This [Panama-California Exposition] is not an Exposition, it is the expression of an idea." Nearly every country from Latin America was represented at the Fair and most of the hemisphere's Indian tribes were represented at a World Congress.
34. SCAPC1_140718_198.JPG: The San Diego Garden Fair -- The Panama-California Exposition: The site of the Spanish themed 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition (PCE) at San Diego covered more than 400 acres. The many buildings on the fairgrounds covered 145 acres and open spaces covered another 300 more. Over 2 million plants were to be found in its rich botanical gardens. A dam was built that retained 50 million gallons of water for the use of the PCE. Unlike the PPIE, much of the San Diego Exposition was intended to be left standing after its closing. One of the unique features about the San Diego Exposition was that it broke with exposition tradition regarding permanent structures. Previous practice at major expositions had been to level all of their buildings after a fair was finished. This was happily not the case as many of the San Diego Fair's buildings were erected to be permanent structures, were constructed to remain. Though some "temporary buildings" were torn down, several others were saved for future use. The former PCE fairgrounds also served as the location for the later 1935-6 California Pacific International Exposition. Current day Balboa Park is home to some spectacular examples of Spanish Mission Revival architecture, which includes the California State Building, the Fine Arts Building, the Cabrillo Bridge, and Casa del Prado. Today, San Diego is justly proud of these architectural wonders, with many of them being on the National Register of Historical [sic -- it's supposed to be "Historic"] Places.
35. SCAPC1_140718_202.JPG: The San Diego Garden Fair -- The Panama-California Exposition: The site of the Spanish themed 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition (PCE) at San Diego covered more than 400 acres. The many buildings on the fairgrounds covered 145 acres and open spaces covered another 300 more. Over 2 million plants were to be found in its rich botanical gardens. A dam was built that retained 50 million gallons of water for the use of the PCE. Unlike the PPIE, much of the San Diego Exposition was intended to be left standing after its closing. One of the unique features about the San Diego Exposition was that it broke with exposition tradition regarding permanent structures. Previous practice at major expositions had been to level all of their buildings after a fair was finished. This was happily not the case as many of the San Diego Fair's buildings were erected to be permanent structures, were constructed to remain. Though some "temporary buildings" were torn down, several others were saved for future use. The former PCE fairgrounds also served as the location for the later 1935-6 California Pacific International Exposition. Current day Balboa Park is home to some spectacular examples of Spanish Mission Revival architecture, which includes the California State Building, the Fine Arts Building, the Cabrillo Bridge, and Casa del Prado. Today, San Diego is justly proud of these architectural wonders, with many of them being on the National Register of Historical [sic -- it's supposed to be "Historic"] Places.
36. SCAPC1_140718_226.JPG: The Many Attractions of the 1915 World's Fair: "I think the Exposition surpasses anything ever built by man ... To miss seeing it would be an irreparable loss." -- Grace Darling The great Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) was held to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914. In 1915, 19 million people visited this grand exposition held in San Francisco during the ten months it was open. The PPIE, however, was not the only exposition to celebrate the Canal's opening. The 1915-6 Panama-California Exposition, held in San Diego, attracted numerous visitors to California as well. The PPIE was an "instant city" within a city; complete with its own separate infrastructure. The 635 acre World's Fair showcased the art and architecture of the day. The PPIE also brought nations and exhibitors from all over the world. After being open for 288 days, the Fair's buildings were razed and later built over by the growing city of San Francisco. Souvenirs, like these pennants, helped to kept the memories alive for those fortunate enough to have visited the "Dream City."
AAA "Gem": AAA considers this location to be a "must see" point of interest. To see pictures of other areas that AAA considers to be Gems, click here.
Wikipedia Description: California State Capitol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The California State Capitol is the seat of the government of California, housing the chambers of the state legislature and the office of the governor in Sacramento, California. The Neoclassical structure was completed between 1861 and 1874 at the west end of Capitol Park, which is framed by L Street to the north, N Street to the south, 10th Street to the west, and 15th Street to the east. The Capitol and grounds were listed on the office of the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and listed as a California Historical Landmark in 1974, with a re-dedication on January 9, 1982 to commemorate the close of the bicentennial restoration project.

Construction and design:

Exterior:

The building is based on the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. The west facade ends in projecting bays, and a portico projects from the center of the building. At the base of the portico, seven granite archways brace and support the porch above. Eight fluted Corinthian columns line the portico. A cornice supports the pediment above depicting Minerva surrounded by Education, Justice, and Mining.

Above the flat roof with balustrade rise two drums supporting a dome. The first drum consists of a colonnade of Corinthian columns; the second, Corinthian pilasters. Large arched windows line the drum walls. The dome rises 220 ft (67 m), matching that of the U.S. Capitol, and supports a lantern with a smaller dome capped with a gold-leafed orbed finial.

Interior:

The California Senate chamber seats its forty members in a large chamber room enveloped in red, which is a nod to the British House of Lords, also the upper house of a bicameral legislature. The chamber is entered through a second floor corridor. The red carpeting has a Victorian-era design. From the coffered ceiling hangs an electric reproduction of the original gas chandelier. A hand-carved dais caps off a recessed bay framed by Corinthian columns.

The Latin phrase "Senatoris est civitatis libertatem tueri" ["It is the duty of a Senator to protect the liberty of the people"] lines the cornice. A portrait of George Washington by Jane Stuart, the daughter of Gilbert Stuart, looks down from the wall above. The State Seal hangs above.

Gilded Corinthian columns support the gallery above, and dark red curtains that can be drawn for privacy are tied back along the columns. High arched windows run along the bottom below rectangular pane windows. Behind the rostrum, there are two chairs with red velvet cushions, reserved for the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, but are never used.

The California Assembly chamber is located at the opposite end of the Senate. Like the Senate, its green tones are based on British House of Commons, the lower house. The dais rests along a wall shaped like an "E", with the central projection housing the rostrum. Along the cornice appears a quotation from Abraham Lincoln in Latin: legislatorum est justas leges condere ("It is the duty of legislators to pass just laws"). Almost every decorating element is identical to the Senate Chamber.

2001 attack:

On January 16, 2001, Michael Bowers, a semi-trailer truck driver with a criminal history, drove over a curb, up a short walk-way, and rammed his truck into the southern portico. The truck's fuel tank ignited, killing the driver, and caused US$15 million in damage to the building.
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