Exposition Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield (3 of 3)
Image by myoldpostcards
A view of the north side of the Exposition Building. Constructed in 1894, it is both the oldest existing and first permanent building on the State Fairgrounds. The 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago had an undeniable impact on the Fairground’s architecture. The Exposition Building was designed by Charles W. Shinn and J.I. Rinaker Jr., and was inspired by the monumental neo-classical architecture of the Columbian Exposition.
The two-and-a-half story red brick building, purported to be the largest building of its type in the United States, was capped by a series of pressed metal domes. Hailed as the “Queen of the Fair,” it housed exhibitions of state-manufactured goods, ladies clothing, artwork, textiles, and vendor booths. It serves the same purpose today, and still looks much as it did when it opened in 1894.
It is a spacious two level building with iron framing, brick walls, and segmented arched windows. the Exposition Building is known for accommodating a variety of major events.
The first Illinois State Fair was held in Springfield in 1853, then was hosted by twelve cities around the state for the first 40 years until making Springfield its permanent home in 1894.
Source: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
