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| THE CAFE DE LA MARINE - All visitors to the
Exposition probably noted the building with many gothic spires that
is portrayed in the engraving. It was a fish and oyster house -
therefore the euphemism of the Cafe de la Marine - and it may be
taken as the leading example of restaurant architecture on the
grounds. The great buildings were furnished with lunch-counters, and
the same concessionaire also conducted several eating-halls - notably
in Horticultural Hall, the Dairy Building
and the Electricity Building - but
concessions were also sold to proprietors who built additional
edifices to fill the park, and these structures were nearly all
ranged in a line reaching from the Cafe de la Marine to Victoria House at the lake shore. At the
side of the marine was the Japanese Tea House; next eastward was the
Swedish cafe; next eastward the Polish Cafe; next the "Banquet Hall";
next the Clam Bake, and lastly a soda pavilion. When the Cafe de la
Marine was in course of construction a hurricane blew down part of
the Manufactures facade and strained the cupolas of the Cafe. The
chief of construction condemned the building; but, after examination
and reports by several committees, the concessionaire was permitted
to carry his picturesque house to completion, and it proved to be
entirely worthy. Many clubs and associations enjoyed their banquets
on its broad verandas, overlooking one of the finest scenes the eye
could behold. |
