The White City

“The fair was so perfect, its grace and beauty like an assurance that for as long as it lasted nothing truly bad could happen to anyone, anywhere” (289). 


The Book   

One of my favorite books is The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Larson weaves together the stories of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (known as the White City) and H. H. Holmes (“the devil”). The book is split into four parts: background leading up to the construction for the exposition, construction of the exposition, the exposition, and the discovery of Holmes’ crimes. Holmes was a serial killer operating before, during, and after the fair. But, for the purpose of this blog I will focus on the fair.

Larson helps the reader imagine a time when the impossible seemed possible. Originally, the exposition was meant to open in October 1892, to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of Columbus discovering America. Delays caused the exposition to open in May 1893. The most incredible thing about this was that the location of the exposition was picked in February 1890. Larson explores the many issues the exposition and its director, Daniel Burnham, faced-economic crisis, rise of unions, weather, lack of time, and Chicago’s bad reputation. The reader comes away in awe of the magnitude of the undertaking and that it was a success.

The exposition helped put Chicago on the world map and introduced many new things to the world. The 27.5 million visitors (over six months) were exposed to electricity, moving pictures, Shredded Wheat, and other cultures. An engineer named George Washington Ferris designed the first Ferris Wheel for the exposition. 

The Place   

This past Saturday, my mom and I took a walking tour through the Chicago Architecture Foundation: White City Revisited. The tour is two hours and takes you through Jackson Park, the site of the exposition. The only building still standing from the exposition is the Museum of Science and Industry, which housed the art exhibits during the exposition.

The only other aspect left is the Wooded Islandin the middle of the park. A replica of the Statue of the Republic stands in the middle of an intersection and a bird and butterfly sanctuary occupy much of the Manufacturer’s and Liberal Arts building (a 32 acre building). The tour guide shows pictures to the group of the different buildings, points out their locations in the park, and mentions facts about the buildings and exposition.

Although many of the buildings are no longer standing, it is easy to imagine what the exposition would have looked like. The exposition was nicknamed the White City because all the buildings were painted white and reflected the sun as it moved throughout the day. It is said that exposition visitors were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the buildings and in certain areas many walked around quietly out of a sense of reverence. Jackson Park is a part of the Chicago Park District and visitors can walk the grounds without a tour guide.

Prairie Style Architect

Frank Lloyd Wright: “When creative effort is involved, there are no trivial circumstances. The most trivial of them may ruin the whole issue. Eternal vigilance is the only condition of creation in architecture” (67) 


The Book   

My Father, Frank Lloyd Wright by John Lloyd Wright is a unique look at Wright the Father. The general public already knows Wright the Architect. The biography is a collection of memories and stories; each chapter a new topic or event. According to his son, Frank Lloyd Wright was more interested in playtime with his children than academic training. Instead of going to school for training, John Lloyd Wright works with his father and learns how to be an architect.

Despite the focus on Wright as a father, the book can’t help but touch on Wright as an architect. The reader gets a glimpse into how he viewed creating and designing buildings. An interesting side note, which is briefly touched on in the book, is that John Lloyd Wright is the inventor of Lincoln Logs. 

The Place   

Last summer one of my friends was giving tours at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. My other friend and I decided to spend a Saturday in Oak Park, IL taking the tour. Oak Park is about 11 miles west of Chicago, but it is easy to forget how close you are to the city. The downtown area quickly blends into neighborhoods with large trees and picturesque houses.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is at 951 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302. The home is set back from the street and in close proximity to other Prairie Style buildings. The tour begins at the back of the house and visitors are led down the sidewalk to the front. You enter through the front door, as if you are visiting the Wright’s. My favorite room on the tour was the children’s playroom. It is a large room with windows at a child’s eyelevel. The studio is also unique and provides a glimpse into Wright’s creations. 

Visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside the Home and Studio without a photography pass. A walking tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District takes visitors through the Oak Park neighborhood. The Unity Temple, designed by Wright in the early 1900s, is a short walk from the Home and Studio. Tours are available as well.