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| THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING - There was erected on
a broad plaza, which reached to the lake shore, a large and ornate
building, surmounted by a high dome, the structure bearing many
resemblances to the headquarters of Illinois near by. Both edifices
were disliked by many critics, who admired the Art Palace further
north. It was held that these two domes, with their various colors,
none of them clear, were prejudicial to the appearance of the great
Greek Temple which held the pictures of the world; but the Government
Building was probably the largest and most expensive undertaking of
its kind connected with any of the universal expositions, and it was
dedicated to the display of such a number of invaluable relics as
will perhaps never again be seen together. The building was the work
of Windrim & Edbrooke, architects, of Washington, D. C., and had it
not stood in close comparison with more simple greek examples, would
have created a strong sense of satisfaction in every beholder, for it
had many elegant pavilions with pylon entrances at east and west on
which were placed groups of sculpture representing Liberty, by
Waagen, and bronze eagles at each of the four pediments. It was
crowded all summer, the people fully appreciating the efforts of the
War, State, Navy, Treasury, Interior, Postoffice, Justice and
Agricultural Departments, and the Fish Commission to impart
instruction and afford a high order of entertainment. Dimensions,
four hundred and twenty by three hundred and fifty feet. Dome two
hundred and seventy-five feet high. Cost, $325,000. |
