Historical Information about
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition
With a Worlds Fair assured on a scale of magnificence never before attempted, in which the Nation, the City of St. Louis as a corporation, and the people of St. Louise were equal factors, this is the story of how and why the great project took place. In 1901 it was accepted fact that the nations of the earth would assemble in St. Louis in 1903 to join in the celebration of the centennial of the purchase by the United States of the vast area known as the Louisiana Territory.
Fifteen million dollars had been subscribed for stock in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company -- five million by the United States Government, five million by the City of St. Louis, and five million by popular subscription. The State of Missouri had appropriated one million dollars to be expended in making a fitting exhibit of the State's resources. Other States had made similar provision for a like purpose. The Government had appointed a board of commissioners to act in an advisory capacity and guard the Government's interest. The Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company had perfected organization and went to work under such splendid progress, directed by men of such energy, that there was every reason to feel assured that the gates of the great exposition will be thrown open on time. (note: this was not the case, the fairgrounds were not ready in 1903 and the opening of the fair was postponed until April 30, 1904).
In the spring of 1897 the Missouri Historical Society and the press began the agitation of a plan to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the acquisition of the "Louisiana Purchase" by the United states, and the citizens of the States within the Territory were invited to make suggestions bearing the celebration.
In September 1898, the Missouri Historical Society appointed a committee of fifty to decide upon the manner of holding the celebration, and the committee, in turn appointed a committee of ten to consider the various methods purposed and to suggest the best and most practicable.
November 26, 1898 -- The committee of ten reported to the committee of fifty, advocating a celebration by all the States in the Purchase, and the committee of fifty approved the recommendation. It was forwarded to Gov. Lon V. Stephens, with a recommendation that a convention of representatives of the Louisiana Purchase States be called for St. Louis, to decide upon the place of holding such celebration.
December 13, 1898 -- Gov. Stephens issued a call for a convention in St. Louis for January 10, 1899.
January 10, 1899 -- Representatives of all the Louisiana Purchase States met in St. Louis at the Southern Hotel, and decided that a World's Fair would best commemorate the event, and that it should be held in St. Louis in 1903.
January 11, 1899 -- An executive committee was appointed, with former Gov. David R. Fancis as chairman, and a committee of fifty was named to carry out the World's Fair idea.
February 11, 1899 -- The general committee was raised to two hundred and organized, with Pierre Chouteau as chairman and Jas. Cox as secretary. Finance and legislative committees were appointed, with Wm. H. Thompson and Frederick W. Lehmann as chairmen, respectively.
February 25, 1899 -- The Senators and Representatives of the States of the Louisiana Purchase were given a banquet at Washington by members of the general committee.
April 23, 1899 -- A citizens' mass-meeting was held at Music Hall, and $4,244,670 was subscribed toward the $5,000,000 fund which St. Louis was pledged to raise.
April 27, 1900 -- Hearing at Washington, D.C., of the World's Fair plan by the special committee of Congress, members of the executive committee, and representatives from most of the Purchase States appearing in its behalf.
June 4, 1900 -- Passage by Congress of the Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill carrying and amendment pledging the National Government's support of the World's Fair project, together with an appropriation of $5,000,000, conditioned on raising of $5,000,000 by popular subscription, and the appropriation of $5,000,000 by the City of St. Louis.
January 12, 1901 -- Popular subscription of $5,000,000 by the citizens of St. Louis completed and certificate to that effect prepared for submission to authorities at Washington.
January 25, 1901 -- Certificate of the fulfillment of St. Louis' obligation presented to special committee of Congress, and Tawney bill read.
Mary 4, 1901 -- Appropriation finally made by Unites States Senate after some opposition, and the national government became a stockholder in the World's Fair enterprise, without a vote, to the extent of $5,000,000.
March 30, 1901 -- Appointment by President McKinley of the national World's Fair Commission, with instructions to the same to meet within thirty days after the passage of the World's Fair bill.
April 23, 1901 -- The national commission met at the Southern Hotel, in St. Louis. The World's Fair company was incorporated, under the name "Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company," with a capital stock of $6,000,000. A banquet was given by the Business Men's League of St. Louis at the Planters' Hotel to the national commission and members of Congress who were foremost in effecting the passage of the bill.
April 24, 1901 -- The national commission met at the Southern Hotel and organized, with ex-Senator Thomas H. Carter as president, ex-Congressman Martin H. Glynn as vice-president, and Mr. Jos. Flory of St. Louis, secretary.
May 3, 1901 -- Meeting of the
directors and election of the following officers of the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition:
President, David R. Francis; treasurer, Wm. H. Thompson; secretary, Walter
B. Stevens; vice-president, Corwin H. Spencer, Samuel M. Kennard, Daniel
M. Houser, Cyrus P. Walbridge, Seth W. Cobb, Chas. H. Hutting, August Gehner
and Pierre Chouteau. The president, treasurer and eight vice-presidents
were appointed as a committee on organization to report at the next meeting
recommendations on number and formation of standing committees; draft of
by-laws of incorporation; suitable offices for temporary headquarters of
incorporation; director genera; general counsel for corporation.
May 9, 1901 -- The Committee on organization reported. By-laws were adopted and Mr. Jas. L. Blair, recommended by the committee as counsel general, was elected unanimously.
May 10, 1901 -- Municipal Assembly passed ordinance authorizing the use of city parks for the World's Fair if desired by the organization.
May 28, 1901 -- Nine Standing Committees of the company appointed, as follows: Executive; Press and Publicity; Ways and Means; Transportation; Finance; Grounds and Buildings; Concessions; Insurance; Foreign Relations.
May 29, 30, 31, June 1, 1901 -- Seven proposed sites inspected by Executive Committee.
June 4, 5, 6, 1901 -- Executive committee listened to arguments of advocates of the seven proposed sites.
June 8 to 23, 1901-- Daily meetings of Executive Committee to consider proposed sites, the problem of transportation facilities for materials for building and for exhibits proving a difficult one. Meetings also of Press and Publicity Committee, at which methods of advertising the Fair, and applications for positions were considered.
June 24, 1901 -- Executive committee decided on the Forest Park, but did not announce decision.
June 25, 1901 -- Meeting of Board of Directors at which selection of Forest Park site was announced and unanimously approved.
June 26, 1901 -- Meeting of National Commissioners. Forest Park visited.
June 27, 28, 1901 -- National Commissioners approved the site selection, and formulated a declaration of the legal responsibilities, duties and rights of the Commission.
June 30, 1901 -- Officers, Members of the Executive Committee and prominent citizens went to Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo.
July 2, 1901 -- Dedication of Louisiana Purchase Building at Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo.
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