The Great Lakes Exposition - Part II
As mentioned in the previous post on the Great Lakes Exposition that this was the “Golden Age” event for Cleveland in so many ways. The Exposition clearly demonstrated the power of the City even during the Great Depression. It too, highlighted civic pride and the old-world work ethic. In less than 90-days it took the City to approve and then build the Exposition (for comparison the Medical Mart is five-years and counting). Finally, the success of the Exposition demonstrated the positive civic pride the City once had - in earnest the City could see better days ahead; a world of opportunity knocking on the City’s door.
We highlighted in Part I the Horticultural Building - which was a gorgeous Art Deco design. But I have to say the Hall of Progress was a keeper too!
The Hall of Progress was 540 feet long and 180 feet wide and was constructed using a new system of rigid wooden trusses - a technique employed previously with only steel and concrete. It was the center display in offering up technologies of the future and was a quite popular display. In fact, Ohio Bell Telephone presented a whole slew of new telephony devices during the show.
Three other buildings built near the Hall of Progress that merit special attention where the Firestone Building, Higbees Tower and the Sohio Building. Talk about Art Deco magic!
The Firestone building was a pure beauty. Wow! Can you imagine this building at our lakefront no matter who the tenant might be today? I can. Simply amazing. Take note of the “singing fountains” in front of the building. And the Higbee Tower…
The Great Lakes Exposition went beyond commerce and industry it provoked imagination and the belief that the future was going to inspire better days during the depression. The Higbee Tower is an awe inspiring facility and check out that fountain with large fish ornaments! Just spectacular. Now catch your breath for the next building…it is a stunner.
Are you kidding me!?! Buildings like this only exist in big budget Hollywood movies. But there it is in all of amazing splendor. (How could this have been destroyed?) Another major building during the Exposition was the Automotive Building. Cleveland was a City built on Big Auto - and the City went to great lengths to show the beauty and strength of the automotive industry.
The Automotive Building was a massive stage for all the automotive companies to happily show their new models. White Motor Company had a signature display during the Exposition.
During the next part of our blog on the Great Lakes Exposition we will detail the Sherwin Williams Amphitheatre and other-worldly Billy Rose’s Aquacade. These entertainment exhibits offer insight into the great frivolity of the day and a world before the TV. Amazing stuff so stay tuned.
Posted by in 21:58:55
i am loving this seris of blogs! we need to get together soon and put together a few stories for the podcast! I’m loving it
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!What an amazing collection…well done. Just found your blog thru a Cleveland.com comment recc. I’m a sometime expatriot in Canada, but lived in Cleveburg for 15 years, and your blog brings it ALL back home; and reminds us of what shortsightedness leaves us with….parking lots!!! The picture of Linden’s tree back in the xmas post was a REAL mindblower…I can remember as a little kid wondering what would happen if that sucker ever fell down. Thanks VERY MUCH for all the time and consideration that you put into your posts…keep on chooglin’!!!