World Cotton Centennial
Encyclopedia
The 1884 World's Fair was held in New Orleans, Louisiana
. At a time when nearly one third of all cotton
produced in the United States was handled in New Orleans and the city was home to the Cotton Exchange
, the idea for the fair was first advanced by the Cotton Planters Association. The name World Cotton Centennial referred to the earliest surviving record of export of a shipment of cotton from the United States to England in 1784. It was also known as the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition.
The U.S. Congress loaned $1 million to the Fair's directors and gave $300,000 for the construction of a large US Government & State Exhibits Hall on the site. However, the planning and construction of the fair was marked by corruption and scandals, and state treasurer Edward A. Burke
absconded abroad with some $ 1,777,000 dollars of state money including most of the fair's budget.
Despite such serious financial difficulties, the Fair succeeded in offering many attractions to visitors. It covered 249 acre (101 ha), stretching from St. Charles Avenue to the Mississippi River
, and was notable that it could be entered directly by railway, steamboat, or ocean-going ship. The main building enclosed 33 acre (13 ha), and was the largest roofed structure constructed up to that time. It was illuminated with 5,000 electric lights (still a novelty at the time, and said to be 10 times the number then existing in New Orleans outside of the fairgrounds). There was also a Horticultural Hall, an observation tower with electric elevators, and working examples of multiple designs of experimental electric street-cars. The Mexican
exhibit was particularly lavish and popular, constructed at a cost of $200,000 dollars, and featuring a huge brass band that was a great hit locally.
On December 16, 1884, U.S. president Chester Arthur opened the Fair via telegraph (two weeks behind schedule). It closed on June 2, 1885. In an unsuccessful attempt to recover some of the financial losses from the Fair, the grounds and structures were reused for the North Central & South American Exposition from November 10, 1885 to March 31, 1886 with no great success. After this the structures were publicly auctioned off, most going only for their worth in scrap.
The site today is Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo
in Uptown New Orleans
.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. At a time when nearly one third of all cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
produced in the United States was handled in New Orleans and the city was home to the Cotton Exchange
New Orleans Cotton Exchange
The New Orleans Cotton Exchange was established in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1871 as a centralized forum for the trade of cotton. It operated in New Orleans until closing in 1964...
, the idea for the fair was first advanced by the Cotton Planters Association. The name World Cotton Centennial referred to the earliest surviving record of export of a shipment of cotton from the United States to England in 1784. It was also known as the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition.
The U.S. Congress loaned $1 million to the Fair's directors and gave $300,000 for the construction of a large US Government & State Exhibits Hall on the site. However, the planning and construction of the fair was marked by corruption and scandals, and state treasurer Edward A. Burke
Edward A. Burke
Edward Austin Burke or Burk was the Democratic State Treasurer of Louisiana from 1878 to 1888. Burke was the first Democrat to hold the office of Louisiana Treasurer following Reconstruction. Burke later fled to Honduras after it was discovered that there were misappropriations of state treasury...
absconded abroad with some $ 1,777,000 dollars of state money including most of the fair's budget.
Despite such serious financial difficulties, the Fair succeeded in offering many attractions to visitors. It covered 249 acre (101 ha), stretching from St. Charles Avenue to the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, and was notable that it could be entered directly by railway, steamboat, or ocean-going ship. The main building enclosed 33 acre (13 ha), and was the largest roofed structure constructed up to that time. It was illuminated with 5,000 electric lights (still a novelty at the time, and said to be 10 times the number then existing in New Orleans outside of the fairgrounds). There was also a Horticultural Hall, an observation tower with electric elevators, and working examples of multiple designs of experimental electric street-cars. The Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
exhibit was particularly lavish and popular, constructed at a cost of $200,000 dollars, and featuring a huge brass band that was a great hit locally.
On December 16, 1884, U.S. president Chester Arthur opened the Fair via telegraph (two weeks behind schedule). It closed on June 2, 1885. In an unsuccessful attempt to recover some of the financial losses from the Fair, the grounds and structures were reused for the North Central & South American Exposition from November 10, 1885 to March 31, 1886 with no great success. After this the structures were publicly auctioned off, most going only for their worth in scrap.
The site today is Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo
The Audubon Zoo is a zoo located in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is part of the Audubon Nature Institute which also manages the Aquarium of the Americas. The zoo covers and is home to 2,000 animals. It is located in a section of Audubon Park in Uptown New Orleans, on the Mississippi River side of...
in Uptown New Orleans
Uptown New Orleans
Uptown is a section of New Orleans, Louisiana on the East Bank of the Mississippi River encompassing a number of neighborhoods between the French Quarter and the Jefferson Parish line. It remains an area of mixed residential and small commercial properties, with a wealth of 19th century architecture...
.
External links
- The World's Cotton Centennial Exposition (Kendall's History of New Orleans, Chapter 29)