Ferris Wheel - Revision history

WikiSysop at 20:03, 30 November 2022

2022-11-30T20:03:32Z

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	**A report on the Ferris Wheel: "The last of the Ferris Wheel has been taken away. The seventy-ton steel axle, which imbedded itself in the ground when the wheel was dynamited, was pulled from its resting place by a huge derrick. It was found necessary to blow off the flanges from the axle with dynamite before it could be loaded on a car." <ref> ,''Clinton Register'', 1 Feb. 1907 </ref>		**A report on the Ferris Wheel: "The last of the Ferris Wheel has been taken away. The seventy-ton steel axle, which imbedded itself in the ground when the wheel was dynamited, was pulled from its resting place by a huge derrick. It was found necessary to blow off the flanges from the axle with dynamite before it could be loaded on a car." <ref> ,''Clinton Register'', 1 Feb. 1907 </ref>
	Based on these facts the axle of the Ferris Wheel was returned to Chicago in 1906, and eventually cut up for scrap around 1918-1919.		Based on these facts the axle of the Ferris Wheel was returned to Chicago in 1906, and eventually cut up for scrap around 1918-1919.

	~~[[File:Wheel - After Fair.jpg ]] \|First Post office~~
	~~[[File:Wheel - Gears.JPG]] \| Mailing Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel - Interior.jpg]] \| Stationary Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 1.jpg ]] \|First Post office~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 2.jpg]] \| Mailing Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 3.jpg]] \| Stationary Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 4.jpg]] \|First Post office~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 5.jpg ]]~~

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==
	<gallery \| class="center" \| mode=packed-hover \| widths=150px heights=150px>>		<gallery \| class="center" \| mode=packed-hover \| widths=150px heights=150px>>
	File:Wheel ~~- After Fair~~.jpg \|~~First Post office~~		File:Wheel 1.jpg \| Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel ~~- Gears~~.~~JPG~~ \| ~~Mailing Room~~		File:Wheel 2.jpg \| Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel ~~- Interior~~.jpg \| ~~Stationary Room~~		File:Wheel 4.jpg \|Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel 1.jpg \|~~First Post office~~		File:Wheel 5.jpg \| Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel 2.jpg \| ~~Mailing Room~~		File:Wheel 3.jpg \| Base of Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel 3.~~jpg~~ \| ~~Stationary Room~~		File:Wheel - Gears.JPG \| Machinery to move the Wheel
	File:Wheel 4.jpg \|~~First Post office~~		File:Wheel - Interior.jpg \| Looking inside from a car
	File:Wheel 5.jpg \| ~~Mailing Room~~		File:Wheel - After Fair.jpg \|After the close of the Fair
	</gallery>		</gallery>

WikiSysop at 19:56, 30 November 2022

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 **A report on the Ferris Wheel: "The last of the Ferris Wheel has been taken away. The seventy-ton steel axle, which imbedded itself in the ground when the wheel was dynamited, was pulled from its resting place by a huge derrick. It was found necessary to blow off the flanges from the axle with dynamite before it could be loaded on a car." <ref> ,''Clinton Register'', 1 Feb. 1907 </ref>
 Based on these facts  the axle of the Ferris Wheel was returned to Chicago in 1906, and eventually cut up for scrap around 1918-1919.
 ==See also==

WikiSysop at 19:50, 30 November 2022

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	===The Axle===		===The Axle===
	[[File:Last Axle.jpg\|~~300px~~\|left\|Article describing the Ferris Wheel Removal.]]		[[File:Last Axle.jpg\|200px\|left\|Article describing the Ferris Wheel Removal.]]
	The axle, 45 feet long, 32 inches in diameter, it was cast of hardened steel, and hollow (about 15-16 inches); thus, it was 8-9 inches “thick”. With its “spiders” (flanges for rod connection), it weighed over 71 tons (over 140,000 pounds). Because of the sheer size of the axle, many rumors and myths circulated that the axle was impossible to cut up or haul away and had been buried on the site of the fair [[Forest Park]].		The axle, 45 feet long, 32 inches in diameter, it was cast of hardened steel, and hollow (about 15-16 inches); thus, it was 8-9 inches “thick”. With its “spiders” (flanges for rod connection), it weighed over 71 tons (over 140,000 pounds). Because of the sheer size of the axle, many rumors and myths circulated that the axle was impossible to cut up or haul away and had been buried on the site of the fair [[Forest Park]].

WikiSysop at 19:50, 30 November 2022

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	The estimated costs of taking down and re-erecting the wheel there would have been approximately $166,500 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|166,500\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}), while the salvage value, if the wheel were wrecked, was approximately $75,950 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|75,950\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}).		The estimated costs of taking down and re-erecting the wheel there would have been approximately $166,500 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|166,500\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}), while the salvage value, if the wheel were wrecked, was approximately $75,950 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|75,950\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}).

	After Coney Island declined to purchase the wheel, it was deemed too expensive to ship (and to store); it was decided that on May 11th, 1906, Ferris' masterpiece would be toppled and sold for scrap. Their profit was $1,800 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|1,800\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}})~~dollars~~.		After Coney Island declined to purchase the wheel, it was deemed too expensive to ship (and to store); it was decided that on May 11th, 1906, Ferris' masterpiece would be toppled and sold for scrap. Their profit was $1,800 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|1,800\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}).

	100 pounds of dynamite collapsed the wheel into a 90 foot-wide mass of wreckage.		100 pounds of dynamite collapsed the wheel into a 90 foot-wide mass of wreckage.

WikiSysop at 19:48, 30 November 2022

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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:48, 30 November 2022
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	===The Axle===		===The Axle===
			[[File:Last Axle.jpg\|300px\|left\|Article describing the Ferris Wheel Removal.]]
	The axle, 45 feet long, 32 inches in diameter, it was cast of hardened steel, and hollow (about 15-16 inches); thus, it was 8-9 inches “thick”. With its “spiders” (flanges for rod connection), it weighed over 71 tons (over 140,000 pounds). Because of the sheer size of the axle, many rumors and myths circulated that the axle was impossible to cut up or haul away and had been buried on the site of the fair [[Forest Park]].		The axle, 45 feet long, 32 inches in diameter, it was cast of hardened steel, and hollow (about 15-16 inches); thus, it was 8-9 inches “thick”. With its “spiders” (flanges for rod connection), it weighed over 71 tons (over 140,000 pounds). Because of the sheer size of the axle, many rumors and myths circulated that the axle was impossible to cut up or haul away and had been buried on the site of the fair [[Forest Park]].

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	*The axle alone was worth close to $1,000 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|1,000\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}) as salvage.		*The axle alone was worth close to $1,000 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|1,000\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}) as salvage.
	*There are several documented reports of the axle being taken back to Chicago:		*There are several documented reports of the axle being taken back to Chicago:

	** Eleanor Harris, daughter of CHWC president Abraham Harris saw the axle in the company’s “scrap yards for several years” … and that it was eventually "cut up for scrap" <ref> Norman Anderson, ''Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History'', pg. 74 </ref>		** Eleanor Harris, daughter of CHWC president Abraham Harris saw the axle in the company’s “scrap yards for several years” … and that it was eventually "cut up for scrap" <ref> Norman Anderson, ''Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History'', pg. 74 </ref>
	** A memo from Frank Harris stating that he is opposed to selling the axle at a give-away price. Further, he assigns a salvage value to the axle, based on its weight. He states "I would prefer shipping it to Chicago and dispose of it at some future date, even if we do have to keep it two or three years." <ref> Abraham Harris, company president, to Frank Harris, company Treasurer, Memo, September 10, 1906</ref>		** A memo from Frank Harris stating that he is opposed to selling the axle at a give-away price. Further, he assigns a salvage value to the axle, based on its weight. He states "I would prefer shipping it to Chicago and dispose of it at some future date, even if we do have to keep it two or three years." <ref> Abraham Harris, company president, to Frank Harris, company Treasurer, Memo, September 10, 1906</ref>

WikiSysop at 19:43, 30 November 2022

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	Operating the Ferris Wheel required 44 persons, including guards, platform guides, an engineer and a fireman. The boiler required four tons of coal for each day’s operations. Three million people were carried without injury. The wheel carried approximately 7.5 percent of the paid admissions to the Fair each day.		Operating the Ferris Wheel required 44 persons, including guards, platform guides, an engineer and a fireman. The boiler required four tons of coal for each day’s operations. Three million people were carried without injury. The wheel carried approximately 7.5 percent of the paid admissions to the Fair each day.

	On July 12 1904, Maud Nicholson, a dare-devil made one entire revolution of the huge Observation Wheel standing on top of one of the cars.		On July 12 1904, Mrs. Maud Nicholson, of Lagonda, Indiana, a dare-devil made one entire revolution of the huge Observation Wheel standing on top of one of the cars.

	===Erection===		===Erection===

WikiSysop at 17:34, 30 November 2022

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	The Exposition ended in October 1893, and the Wheel closed in November 1893. Beginning in April 1894, it was dismantled in about 10 weeks, and was stored on a railway siding until the following year.		The Exposition ended in October 1893, and the Wheel closed in November 1893. Beginning in April 1894, it was dismantled in about 10 weeks, and was stored on a railway siding until the following year.

	===~~Chicago~~ Park===		===Ferris Wheel Park===
	In 1895, the Wheel was rebuilt on Chicago's North Side, on Clark Street near Lincoln Park, next to an exclusive neighborhood. A "Ferris Wheel Park" was created for this one-of-a-kind attraction.		In 1895, the Wheel was rebuilt on Chicago's North Side, on Clark Street near Lincoln Park, next to an exclusive neighborhood. A '''Ferris Wheel Park'' was created for this one-of-a-kind attraction.

	However, few were happy with this giant ride being in their neighborhood. William D. Boyce, a local resident representing a large contingent of opposing residents, filed a Circuit Court action against the owners of the wheel to have it removed; but his efforts failed.		However, few were happy with this giant ride being in their neighborhood. William D. Boyce, a local resident representing a large contingent of opposing residents, filed a Circuit Court action against the owners of the wheel to have it removed; but his efforts failed.

WikiSysop at 17:33, 30 November 2022

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	===Chicago Park===		===Chicago Park===
	In 1895, the Wheel was rebuilt on Chicago's North Side, on Clark Street near Lincoln Park, next to an exclusive neighborhood. A "Ferris Wheel Park" was created for this one-of-a-kind attraction.		In 1895, the Wheel was rebuilt on Chicago's North Side, on Clark Street near Lincoln Park, next to an exclusive neighborhood. A "Ferris Wheel Park" was created for this one-of-a-kind attraction.

	However, few were happy with this giant ride being in their neighborhood. William D. Boyce, a local resident representing a large contingent of opposing residents, filed a Circuit Court action against the owners of the wheel to have it removed; but his efforts failed.		However, few were happy with this giant ride being in their neighborhood. William D. Boyce, a local resident representing a large contingent of opposing residents, filed a Circuit Court action against the owners of the wheel to have it removed; but his efforts failed.
	The wheel operated on Clark Street from October 1895 until 1903, when the Chicago House Wrecking Company (CHWC) purchased the great Wheel for $8,150 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|8150\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}) at auction. They planned to sell, re-use, or salvage the giant wheel.		The wheel operated on Clark Street from October 1895 until 1903, when the Chicago House Wrecking Company (CHWC) purchased the great Wheel for $8,150 (${{Format price\|{{Inflation\|US\|8150\|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year\|US}}) at auction. They planned to sell, re-use, or salvage the giant wheel.

	The CHWC was a large, profitable, family-owned salvage company that also had purchased and salvaged much of the remains of Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition. Their previous experience also included the demolition and salvage of other large structures and world's fairs (Omaha 1898, and Buffalo 1901). In 1904 the CHWC was the largest salvage company in the USA.		The CHWC was a large, profitable, family-owned salvage company that also had purchased and salvaged much of the remains of Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition. Their previous experience also included the demolition and salvage of other large structures and world's fairs (Omaha 1898, and Buffalo 1901). In 1904 the CHWC was the largest salvage company in the USA.

WikiSysop at 17:32, 30 November 2022

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	The Ferris Wheel was erected at the very center of the fair, near but not in [[The Pike]]. After the foundations were prepared, two 140-foot steel towers were constructed amid massive wooden scaffolding and lifts. Then the 71-ton axle was carefully lifted and locked into position on these towers. Then the connecting rods were attached to the flanges, to begin to build the steel girder framework for the wheel.		The Ferris Wheel was erected at the very center of the fair, near but not in [[The Pike]]. After the foundations were prepared, two 140-foot steel towers were constructed amid massive wooden scaffolding and lifts. Then the 71-ton axle was carefully lifted and locked into position on these towers. Then the connecting rods were attached to the flanges, to begin to build the steel girder framework for the wheel.

	<gallery \| class="center" \| mode=packed-hover \| widths=150px heights=150px>>		<gallery \|="" class="center" mode="packed-hover" widths="150px" heights="150px">>
	File:Wheel-Construction 1.jpg \| Scaffolding Erected		File:Wheel-Construction 1.jpg \| Scaffolding Erected
	File:Wheel-Construction 2.jpg \| Bases Erected		File:Wheel-Construction 2.jpg \| Bases Erected
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	*There are several documented reports of the axle being taken back to Chicago:		*There are several documented reports of the axle being taken back to Chicago:

	* Eleanor Harris, daughter of CHWC president Abraham Harris saw the axle in the company’s “scrap yards for several years” … and that it was eventually "cut up for scrap" <ref> Norman Anderson, ''Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History'', pg. 74 </ref>		** Eleanor Harris, daughter of CHWC president Abraham Harris saw the axle in the company’s “scrap yards for several years” … and that it was eventually "cut up for scrap" <ref> Norman Anderson, ''Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History'', pg. 74 </ref>
	* A memo from Frank Harris stating that he is opposed to selling the axle at a give-away price. Further, he assigns a salvage value to the axle, based on its weight. He states "I would prefer shipping it to Chicago and dispose of it at some future date, even if we do have to keep it two or three years." <ref> Abraham Harris, company president, to Frank Harris, company Treasurer, Memo, September 10, 1906</ref>		** A memo from Frank Harris stating that he is opposed to selling the axle at a give-away price. Further, he assigns a salvage value to the axle, based on its weight. He states "I would prefer shipping it to Chicago and dispose of it at some future date, even if we do have to keep it two or three years." <ref> Abraham Harris, company president, to Frank Harris, company Treasurer, Memo, September 10, 1906</ref>
	* A letter stating ''the axle was returned to the Chicago yard of the Chicago House Wrecking Company; when oxy-acetylene torches became strong enough to cut up the hardened steel of the massive 70-ton axle (c.1918-1919), it was cut up for scrap.'' </ref> Mr. Mortimer B. Harris (vice president of the Harris Brothers Company, the successor to the Chicago House Wrecking Company), and T. J. Riordan, an active CHWC employee, Letters, October 1951 </ref>		** A letter stating ''the axle was returned to the Chicago yard of the Chicago House Wrecking Company; when oxy-acetylene torches became strong enough to cut up the hardened steel of the massive 70-ton axle (c.1918-1919), it was cut up for scrap.'' <nowiki></ref></nowiki> Mr. Mortimer B. Harris (vice president of the Harris Brothers Company, the successor to the Chicago House Wrecking Company), and T. J. Riordan, an active CHWC employee, Letters, October 1951 <nowiki></ref></nowiki>
	* Leo Harris, the grandson of Frank Harris, who was Treasurer of the Chicago House Wrecking Company, wrote “…the giant axle of the wheel was returned to the yards of the CHWC, where it remained until it was cut up for its steel content at the beginning of World War I.” <ref> Wrecking to Save World’s Fairs, Ephemera Journal, 2011 </ref>		** Leo Harris, the grandson of Frank Harris, who was Treasurer of the Chicago House Wrecking Company, wrote “…the giant axle of the wheel was returned to the yards of the CHWC, where it remained until it was cut up for its steel content at the beginning of World War I.” <ref> Wrecking to Save World’s Fairs, Ephemera Journal, 2011 </ref>
	*A report on the Ferris Wheel: "The last of the Ferris Wheel has been taken away. The seventy-ton steel axle, which imbedded itself in the ground when the wheel was dynamited, was pulled from its resting place by a huge derrick. It was found necessary to blow off the flanges from the axle with dynamite before it could be loaded on a car." <ref> ,''Clinton Register'', 1 Feb. 1907 </ref>		**A report on the Ferris Wheel: "The last of the Ferris Wheel has been taken away. The seventy-ton steel axle, which imbedded itself in the ground when the wheel was dynamited, was pulled from its resting place by a huge derrick. It was found necessary to blow off the flanges from the axle with dynamite before it could be loaded on a car." <ref> ,''Clinton Register'', 1 Feb. 1907 </ref>
	Based on these facts the axle of the Ferris Wheel was returned to Chicago in 1906, and eventually cut up for scrap around 1918-1919.		Based on these facts the axle of the Ferris Wheel was returned to Chicago in 1906, and eventually cut up for scrap around 1918-1919.

WikiSysop at 17:32, 30 November 2022

2022-11-30T17:32:09Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 30 November 2022
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	**A report on the Ferris Wheel: "The last of the Ferris Wheel has been taken away. The seventy-ton steel axle, which imbedded itself in the ground when the wheel was dynamited, was pulled from its resting place by a huge derrick. It was found necessary to blow off the flanges from the axle with dynamite before it could be loaded on a car." <ref> ,''Clinton Register'', 1 Feb. 1907 </ref>		**A report on the Ferris Wheel: "The last of the Ferris Wheel has been taken away. The seventy-ton steel axle, which imbedded itself in the ground when the wheel was dynamited, was pulled from its resting place by a huge derrick. It was found necessary to blow off the flanges from the axle with dynamite before it could be loaded on a car." <ref> ,''Clinton Register'', 1 Feb. 1907 </ref>
	Based on these facts the axle of the Ferris Wheel was returned to Chicago in 1906, and eventually cut up for scrap around 1918-1919.		Based on these facts the axle of the Ferris Wheel was returned to Chicago in 1906, and eventually cut up for scrap around 1918-1919.

	~~[[File:Wheel - After Fair.jpg ]] \|First Post office~~
	~~[[File:Wheel - Gears.JPG]] \| Mailing Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel - Interior.jpg]] \| Stationary Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 1.jpg ]] \|First Post office~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 2.jpg]] \| Mailing Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 3.jpg]] \| Stationary Room~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 4.jpg]] \|First Post office~~
	~~[[File:Wheel 5.jpg ]]~~

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==
	<gallery \| class="center" \| mode=packed-hover \| widths=150px heights=150px>>		<gallery \| class="center" \| mode=packed-hover \| widths=150px heights=150px>>
	File:Wheel ~~- After Fair~~.jpg \|~~First Post office~~		File:Wheel 1.jpg \| Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel ~~- Gears~~.~~JPG~~ \| ~~Mailing Room~~		File:Wheel 2.jpg \| Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel ~~- Interior~~.jpg \| ~~Stationary Room~~		File:Wheel 4.jpg \|Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel 1.jpg \|~~First Post office~~		File:Wheel 5.jpg \| Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel 2.jpg \| ~~Mailing Room~~		File:Wheel 3.jpg \| Base of Ferris Wheel
	File:Wheel 3.~~jpg~~ \| ~~Stationary Room~~		File:Wheel - Gears.JPG \| Machinery to move the Wheel
	File:Wheel 4.jpg \|~~First Post office~~		File:Wheel - Interior.jpg \| Looking inside from a car
	File:Wheel 5.jpg \| ~~Mailing Room~~		File:Wheel - After Fair.jpg \|After the close of the Fair
	</gallery>		</gallery>