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| COSTA RICA'S BUILDING - This modest structure
was erected by the generous Central American Republic on the east
bank of the north pond, the same water which the Art Palace bounded on the north. Directly
across, at a distance of more than one thousand feet, were the houses
of Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio. The main decoration of this Doric
pavilion was the balustrade which protected the water-front. The
edifice was one hundred and three feet long and sixty feet wide, and
under the clere-story, which may be seen above, was fifty feet high.
On the tympani of its portals the national shield of the Republic of
Costa Rica was wrought with pleasing effect. The interior was
finished as carefully as the exterior, and the crystal roof in the
clere-story gave additional light to a brilliant scene, where
thousands of the birds and animals of Central America were displayed
for the admiration of lovers of nature in Northern lands. All of the
exhibits of Costa Rica were shown in this one place, a privilege
granted to but few of the nations. Coffee, coffee growing, and
coffee curing were the principal attractions. The World's Columbian
Exposition will be famous for the effort which the American Republics
made to impress the value of their coffee on the world at large.
Dye-stuffs were also shown in considerable quantity and variety. The
Republic appropriated $50,000 for the Exposition, and $20,000 of the
sum were expended on this building. |
