BeforeFair

Before the Fair

Next Day	1901

Below is a list of events that happened prior to 1901.

1803-1806

[1803-1806 Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery expedition before Louisiana Purchase Treaty - itemized events from July 4, 1776 to 1850 available in latest version of LouisianaPurchase_Calendar-of-Events .txt file]

1870s

• 1874:
  • Designer Halsey C. Ives began teaching free evening classes for students at Washington University.

• June 24, 1876:
  • Forest Park officially opened to the public.

1890s

• 1891:
  • A new mounted police headquarters was built on 20 acres, a brick building and grazing land for the horses costing $46,000. The building took a year to build. It was on the site of what is now the Planetarium and a bit west of it.

• 1892:
  • Lindell Pavilion opened at the north central entrance to the park. It was designed by Eames & Young as the Lindell Railway Co. streetcar shelter. Their tracks were removed for the Fair and many early elevated photos were taken from the Pavilion's tower before the building of the DeForest Wireless Telegraph Tower, palaces, or Ferris Observation Wheel. The Pavilion still stands today, now called the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center with many modifications (fully enclosed, steeple-like roof removed from clock tower, etc.)

• 1896:
  • David Francis begins organizing local civic leaders to lobby Congress for an exposition in St. Louis to commemorate the centennial of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

1897

• Spring, 1897:
  • Agitation for World's Fair begun.

1898

• January 11, 1898:
  • Missouri Historical Society establishes Advisory Committee.
  • Advisory Committee establishes Special Committee.

• April 26, 1898:
  • Conference Committee of Business Men's League established, delegates appointed by request of Missouri Historical Society.

• May 17, 1898:
  • General call by Missouri Historical Society of Social and Business Organizations.

• June 22, 1898:
  • Committee meets at the Missouri Historical Society to develop a general plan for a World s Fair.

• June 30, 1898:
  • Meeting of Nominating Committee for preliminary organization, committee of 15. D. R. Francis was a member.

• July 12, 1898:
  • Preliminary Organization established. D. R. Francis was a member.
  • Committee of 50 on Design and Form of Celebration established. D. R. Francis was a member.

• September, 1898:
  • Missouri Historical Society appoints committee to act
  • The "Inception & Development of the Movement to Commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase" is founded, officially starting the preparation & planning of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

• November 26, 1898:
  • Committee reported in favor of celebration.

• December 13, 1898:
  • Gov. Stephens issued call for convention.

1899

• January, 1899:
  • Committee appointed to select Committee of 200. D. R. Francis was Chairman.
    • Committee of 200 is formed (Pierre Chouteau), and Executive Committee (DRF leads). Draft appropriation bill written for $5M and sent to Congress.

• January 10, 1899:
  • First Interstate Convention established in St. Louis, a meeting of representatives of the Louisiana Purchase states [& territories]. D. R. Francis was a representative for the state of MO.

• January 11, 1899:
  • Fair decided on and Committee of Fifty named.
  • Committee of 200 organized. D. R. Francis was Chairman of the Executive Committee.

• February 11, 1899:
  • Finance Committee named.
  • Legislative Committee named.

• February 25, 1899:
  • Senators and Congressmen banqueted in Washington.

• April, 1899:
  • MO Constitution amended to allow St. Louis city to contribute $5M, and to allow $5M public subscription (stock shares).

• April 23, 1899:
  • Citizens' mass meeting in St. Louis.

1900

• April 27, 1900:
  • Hearing before special Congressional Committee.

• June 4, 1900:
  • Government support pledged by Congress.

• November 3, 1900:
  • The cornerstone for University Hall (later Brookings Hall) was laid. (Washington University website, "history" link)