Well, Chicago was host to the first world's fair 110 years ago. It was held to celebrate (do we really need to?) Columbus' 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. They were 1 year late.The land used was from the Art Institute to about 2 miles south of there. It extended west from Lake Michigan about 1 mile. They build canals, piers, hills, and many new buildings. (The museum of Science and Industry and Art Institute are the only 2 remaining)It could be called one of the first big amusement parks. It cost 10 million to build (1893 dollars) and turned a huge profit. Exhibits at the park included numerous carnival rides, slides, museums, a moving sidewalk, a pillar of light, modern inventions, and a giant ferris wheel.The ferris wheel could hold 2000 people at once. Each gondola held 60 people.This very well could be hailed as Chicago's biggest amusement attraction ever. Estimates say that 1/3 of the nation's population visited the park, and countless foreigners.Admission was fifty cents, but most people spent their life savings to see the fair.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Quite an important event for Chicago. Many used in modern park construction were based off the layout of this park. The whole idea of a park's midway was first used in this park. Disney used the ideas started by this park. Too bad it was only open for 6 months. Then 3 years later, most of it burned down.
