1901

1901

Previous Day	BeforeFair
Next Day	1902

Below is a list of events that happened during 1901.

1901

• A Laclede Gas Co. natural-gas storage facility and pumping station was built at Chouteau and Newstead avenues. The tank, known also as a gasometer, appears in the eastern horizon of many 1904 World's Fair photos. The tank was used to store and deliver natural gas to customers during peak usage periods until August 2001, when Laclede built an underground storage facility in north St. Louis County. Eventually, a local development company purchased the property and the tank & facilities were removed and residences were built on the property.

January

• January 12, 1901:
  • Popular subscription of $5,000,000 completed.

• January 25, 1901:
  • Certificate of fulfillment of St. Louis' [$5,000,000] pledge presented to Congress.
  • Tawney bill read in Congress.

March

• March 4, 1901:
  • Congress, in the last hour of its session, approves an appropriations bill for a $5 million aid to support of a St. Louis World s Fair. Together with $5M from the city of St. Louis (via a bond issue), and $5M in private shares (stock sales), this provides seed money to build the Fair.

• March 30, 1901:
  • National Commission appointed.

April

• April 23, 1901:
  • National Commission met in St. Louis.
  • Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company organized.
  • Banquet by Business Men's League to commissioners and officers.

• April 24, 1901:
  • Louisiana Purchase Exposition Co. (LPEC) incorporated, comprised of David R. Francis, President, 8 Vice-presidents, a Secretary, 1 Counsel, and 93 Directors, 1/3 of which would retire after each of 3 years. D. R. Francis was one of the Directors to retire at end of Second Year.
  • National Commission organized in St. Louis.

May

• May 2, 1901:
  • First meeting of the Louisiana Purchase Company Board of Directors held. David Rowland Francis is elected President. (see May 3, 1901)

• May 3, 1901:
  • First meeting of World's Fair directors. (see May 2, 1901)
  • Formal election of officers of the company.

• May 9, 1901:
  • Committee on Organization reported rules, etc.

• May 10, 1901:
  • Ordinance passed by Municipal Assembly permitting use of parks.

• May 28, 1901:
• Nine standing committees appointed.
  • Proposed sites inspected.

June

• June 4, - 6, 1901:
  • Arguments on site heard.

• June 8 to 23, 1901:
  • Daily meetings of Executive Committee considered sites.

• June 24, 1901:
  • Forest Park selected by Executive Committee. (see June 25, 1901)

• June 25, 1901:
  • Forest Park selection by Executive Committee formally approved.
    • Board selects Forest Park for the Fair site. Several sites in St. Louis were suggested and considered: Fairground Park, Carondelet Park, etc. (see June 24, 1901)

• June 26, 1901:
  • Site inspected by National Commissioners.

• June 27, 1901:
  • Site approved by National Commissioners.
  • National Commissioners issued formal declaration of its rights, duties, etc.

• June 30, 1901:
  • Visit of World's Fair officers to Pan-American Exposition [in Buffalo, New York].

July

• July 2, 1901:
  • Dedication World's Fair building at Buffalo.

• July 4, 1901:
  • Commission of LPE Architects named.

• July 9, 1901:
  • Appropriation by Board of Directors of $5,000,000 for buildings.

• July 30, 1901:
  • Commission of Architects adopted plans.

• July 31, 1901:
  • First meeting of the Committee on Ceremonies.

August

• August 1, 1901:
  • Dr. David T. Day appointed Chief of Department of Mines.

• August 5, 1901:
  • Halsey C. Ives appointed Chief of Art Department.

• August 11, 1901:
  • Prof. Howard J. Rogers appointed Chief of Department of Education.

• August 12, 1901:
  • John Barrett appointed Commissioner to Asia and Australia.

• August 20, 1901:
  • He is shot and dies less than a month later. (see August 21, 1901)

• August 21, 1901:
  • Proclamation of the Fair by President McKinley. (see August 20, 1901)

• August 27, 1901:
  • Definite announcement that there would be no director general.

• August 24, 1901:
  • W. I. Buchanan named for representative to South and Central America.

September

• September 3, 1901:
  • First stake driven by Treasurer W. H. Thompson [allegedly at site of 1st Apotheosis statue].
    • First ceremonial stake is driven. Focal survey point for layout, behind the Palace of Art.

• September 10, 1901:
  • Second call on subscribers for stock.

• September 17, 1901:
• F. J. V. Skiff selected for Director of Exhibits.
  • Several members of Ladies' Board named.

• September 21, 1901:
• Buildings assigned to architects for designs.

October

• October 16, 1901:
  • Helen M. Gould appointed first Lady Commissioner.

• October 27, 1901:
  • T. W. Cridler made Commissioner to Europe.

November

• November 5, 1901:
• Postponement [of Fair] advised by Adolphus Busch.

• November 25, 1901:
  • Dr. Tarleton H. Bean made Chief of Fish Department.

• November 27, 1901:
  • Proclamation poster published.

December

• December 20, 1901:
  • Washington University tract added to site.
  • Groundbreaking, near the main entrance. Very cold (ten below zero).
  • Ceremonial banquet at Southern Hotel.

• December 27, 1901:
  • Contract let for transplanting trees.

• December 28, 1901:
  • Contract let for straightening River des Peres. (see January 6, 1902)