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| WATER VIEW OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING - The engraving shows the entire western facade (from the northwest) of the largest building that has been constructed by man. From the corner pavilion in the foreground to the central pylon, where the five flags wave, is eight hundred and forty-three and one-half feet, and thence to the further end as many feet more, making one thousand six hundred and eighty-seven feet in all, or nearly one-third of a mile. The width of the edifice is nearly as great as the distance from corner to western center, and though the photograph might lead the reader to believe that he sees nearly all of the north end, he subjects himself to an illusion, for the north central pylon has not yet come into view. The corner pavilion which looks low is really ninety-seven feet high, and is diminished because it is beside the mountainous central roof, that rises inside the outer roofs to a height of over three hundred and twelve feet. The pylon is one hundred and twenty-two feet high, and three similar constructions are at similar places in the three other fronts. The vaults of these decorative features were painted by Millet and other artists, and loggias led along both sides, west and east. In this western side, a German restaurant did a large business during the later months of the Fair. Early in 1892 the southern end of this facade blew down in a cyclone, and a month later a simliar mishap befel the wood-work along the northwestern corner (in our foreground). Frank Agnew, a popular Chicagoan, and ex-sheriff, was the contractor for the wood-work of this immense structure. |
