Illinois State Building
The Illinois Building Stood on a hill not far from the Observation Wheel and about equally distant from the Japanese Buildings. It was 198 by 144 feet in size, and cost $75,000. The whole effect was stately, and there was an air of comfort surrounding it. Passing through the main entrance, flanked by great statues of Grand and Douglas, the visitor came to the mosaic floor over which rose the vaulted dome, three stories above. Beyond was a large state-room, with paneled ceiling, and with a pictorial frieze telling the history of Illinois. Men's and women's rooms, apartments for the Commissioners and the Governor, hospital rooms and many other comforts and conveniences were housed beneath the ample roof. The ornamentation, both inside and outside, was incredible. As the nearest sister state, Illinois provided noteworthy representation at the Exposition, not only in this French Renaissance building and its contents, but in may other parts of the Fair. Her contributions to the agricultural and horticultural displays were especially commendable.
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