Devil in the White City
August 14, 2008

8.15.08: Chuck and I had a great time yesterday.  He loved the history, I loved the sightseeing and the buildings.  Chicago is definitely "my kinda town".  Every trip we meet someone we have a slight connection to and also get to see old acquaintances.  Fun, fun, fun.  Thanks for arranging such an enjoyable day.
                                                               Phyllis & Chuck Gordon

8.17.08:  Please put me on your email list.  Pictures look great from our trip on Thursday.  Teri and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.  It was great and perfectly organized.     Maryellen Curry

8.29.08:  I really enjoyed the Devil in the White City trip.  I look forward to traveling again with you.        Sondra Bookwalter

We picked up our local step-on guide and headed out to explore the site where the 1893 Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair) took place.

Our first stop was the site of the Japanese Gardens.  Several people mentioned the serene feeling they had just walking through the gardens.  Chicago still maintains the Japanese theme.  Our guide Cathy answers a question that a couple of our 54 passengers posed to her.

Next we moved on to the University of Chicago campus, which is located on the site of the Fair.  The street in the first picture is where the Midway Plaissance was located and is still named Midway Plaissance Drive, leading onto the campus. 

The below picture is of the University of Chicago's ice rink, which is believed to have been the site of the ferris wheel.

Next is a replica of the Statue of the Republic (or Big Mary) which greeted the guests who attended the fair.

The first picture is the back side of the Museum of Science and Industry, the only remaining building from the site of the fair.  Isn't this a breathtaking view on a beautiful morning?

Below is a sculpture along the route, which had way too much explanation to it for me to remember. ;-)

It was then time for lunch at the Union League Club, a private club which was a men's club that did not admit women until 1982.  Many of the business men of Chicago did much discussing and planning of the fair at this very same club.  What a treat for us to have enjoyed lunch there!  I wish I could have taken pictures of the lovely buffet that was offered, but I thought it would be a bit tacky to stand among the elite diners and snap pictures of food.  ;- )

The first 2 pictures were taken in the lobby area.

An extremely knowledgeable docent headed our tour of the club after lunch and explained the wonderful pieces of art were displayed throughout the club.  In the first photo, our passengers are viewing a Monet.

Below is a poster displayed on the Union League Club's administration floor dedicated to the fair, displaying stellar pictures taken at the fair.  The president of the club briefly stopped in the hallway to chat with us about the treasured photos.

We then visited the Chicago History Museum for a brief informative documentary.

Our last stop was at Chicago's City Hall, where a wall is decorated with fair photos.

It was time to head home, hopefully with a bit of a feel from over 100 years ago.