Diary of a Trip to 1933 Chicago World's Fair -- Century of Progress Exposition

by Ethel H. Fairbanks

This was typed up and sent by the granddaughter of Ethel H. Fairbanks.
The diary describes travel from New York to Chicago and a week of sightseeing at the World's Fair in Chicago.

Mon. July 24 - Started for Chicago's "Century of Progress". McCunes stopped for us about 7:30 and we met Dorns and Shuts in Lyons. We ate a picnic lunch near Gaines, crossed into Canada at Lewiston, thro' St. Catherine's, Grimsby, Hamilton and camped between Paris and Brantford. Weather much cooler. McCune's car rides so nice. Great time.

Tues. Thro' London, Thamesville, Chatham, Windsor and crossed the new Ambassador Bridge into Detroit. Out Michigan Ave, a fast ride thro' traffic. Bought Cherry Cider. Thro' Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Jackson. Camped near the latter at Frank's Cabins. Excellent place. Steak supper.

Wed. - thro' Battle Creek where we visited Kellogg's, Paw Paw, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Michigan City, Gary and East Chicago, Ind. and then Chicago. Found camping ground on hotel grounds three blocks from Fair. Great luck. Harold, Bee, Ernest and I walked over to the Fair Entrance. Could see Travel and Transport Bldg and some fireworks.

Thurs. We started early for the Fair. Took bus from South entrance to opposite end. Then took sight seeing bus and guide for three hours. He took us in all of principal buildings to show us important things. Then we could do the Fair systematically. Ate at German restaurant. Then went to Adler Planetarium. Only one in this country and one of few in the world. Can show position of sun, moon and planets at any time during year. From there we went to the Foods building which we enjoyed very much. Ate Aunt Jemima's pancakes, saw kitchens of foreign countries, exhibits of Sanka Coffee, Grape Nuts, Farm Machinery, Canned Goods, Coca Cola, Heinz and Libby's and cutting of meats. Ground Water System cleans, purifies, removes odors and tastes, cools water in all buildings. Went thro' some of the State Buildings and then over to the Dairy Bldg for supper. Saw Mechanical Cow, Color Orange, Milk and Cheese exh. With McCunes and Sheets went to Hall of Science Court to see ceremony of lighting Fair by Star Arcturus Listened to Evanston High School Band Concert. Then took bus to S. Entrance and went thro' Ukrainian Bldg and then back to camp.

Fri. Went with Dorns to Temple of Jehol and Federal Bldg. Ernest was interested in Gov. Dep. Exhibits. Finished Fed. and States Bldg. with Bee and Beats and ate dinner at Fish Bar. Went to Sears Roebuck, Illinois Host Bldg and some of electrical group. Ate supper at Sears Roebuck roof and went to Floating Theatre where we heard Mundy Chorus. Over a hundred negro voices. They were very fine. Soloists were Claire Malone Sop., George Bizzelle and Herman Mills Bantam. His rendition of "Old Man River" and Miss Malone's of "Mighty Lak A Rose" were wonderful. Planned to hear them again Sun night.

Many methods of illustrations are used in the exhibits: movies, slides, coloured and lighted pictures, models, charts and, where possible, the real thing in use. In Fed. Bldg. a large model of Mt. Rainier National Park, changed to show the four seasons with snow falling by means of light. Seats around this made of logs 4 feet in diameter with a quarter section cut out, highly polished and some Indian blankets thrown over them. Very pleasant place to rest.

Mint where coins and bills were made as high as $10,000 denominations, bonds and stamps also. Dept. Of Commerce including airways, airplanes, device to keep them on their course.

Patent Office exhibit models. Complete Life History of Oysters by fish producers. Old ship models. Maps showing the deaths and births of immigrants and emigrants. Net gain of one every 37 seconds. Population when we left was 125,756,865 on July 28,1933.

Wild life
Plant Quarantine
Forests
Models of farms
Insects
Showing crop rotation
Soil chemistry
Improvement of crops, farm service and stocks

N.Y. State building had lighted pictures of scenic wonders. Huge pictures of Niagara Falls and N.Y. City skyline, changing color.

Ohio - Davenports with Silhouette in back depicting history and hooked seats, everyone different. Very beautiful designs.

Sears Roebuck Bldg. - blue & gray. Aquarium and gray crushed stones around approaches. Huge map showing stores. Lounges and rest rooms. Quilt contest. Ingersoll watchmaking, robot cafeteria. Drinking fountains with electric eg. Floating theatre, lagoons walk in of Fed, States and Electric bldgs. Gondolas and motor boats on lagoon. Amos and Andy play ride. Illinois Host Building - Permanent Lincoln room.

Sat. - We all went to the Hall of Science. Began with exhibits of medical schools. New process of reproducing of models of human skin, arms, hands, showing skin diseases, vaccinations, goiter and appendicitis operations, beating heart, human foetus in many stages. 2 mechanical men, one showing position of organs, the other showing digestion of food by means of movies and talkies. Malaria, artificial reproduction. Piccard's balloon and huge ball to study ocean depths. Complete working model of oil refinery. Huge magnified cross section of basswood tree, moving to show growth of cells and formation of rings. 94 elements of which everything is made. Chromium plating.

We ate lunch in this building and supper at Walgreen's. Started General Exhibits group. Time & Fortune Bldg and went with Shuts to Sinclair Exhibit of Dinosaurs and to Firestone Bldg where tires were made complete with white machinery. Court with 4 colored singing fountains. Color organ principle. Went across walk to Havoline Thermometer 200 feet high. Walked along lagoon walk thro' little Midway. Ernest bought cane. Went to Belgian village. Very faithful reproduction. Streets on side hill. Church always in sight. Stone bridge. Market place used for dancing at night. Milk carts drawn by dogs. Cafes and shops.

Sun. - We started with Dorns and were with them nearly all day. Went thro' four of model houses, beginning with Good Housekeeping Homes Planning Hall.

Ate dinner at Thompson's restaurant and then went thro' Fort Dearborn and the Lincoln Group. I went up to the Hall of Religion and heard Mormon Choir of Chicago while Ernest went thro' Byrd's ship. I was there about two hours. Met Dorn's at Sears Roebuck for supper on the roof and then joined the others at the Floating Theatre to hear the Mundy Chorus. After that we went to Italia and then home.

Mon. We took the elevated to the stock yards. Went all thro' Swifts plant. Had dinner at Thompson's downtown, and went to Aquarium and then in main gate of Fair at 12th Street. Went to Sweden and Czechoslovakia, then to Gen. Elec. to Gutenberg Press and then to A&P Carnival where we heard the Gypsies and saw Tony Sarg's Marionettes. Found Howard and Bee there and went with them to Walgreen's for lunch and saw McCunes on the way. Had iced coffee. Went with Dorns to '49er Mining Camp. Rained so we didn't take ride on double decker bus as planned.

Tues. Each couple was alone all day without meeting the others, the first time that happened. Ernest and I rode downtown on double decker bus. Went to Greyhound Station to inquire about sight seeing trip. Gave it up when we found that we had already seen a large part of it. Went in Main Entrance and over first bridges to Iceland. To Electric Bldg to see House of Magic and Television Demonstration. Took bus up to Transportation Bldg. Went thro' Mexican Presidential Train, thro' Burlington Pullman with old and new mail car where we could mail cards furnished free. Lounge car where we were invited to rest. Also thro' Royal Scot. Many places to rest in the Transportation Bldg and many things to see. Milk car, Refrigerated car, airplanes, fruit and latest Packard and bicycle. Exhibits of some foreign countries, Canada and Palestine and others. Went over to General Motors where we saw the Chevrolet Assembly Plant. Down to Thompson's for supper. I went thro' some more model houses. Then we went back to Maya Temple and Chrysler Bldg. It was nearly 10 and they were ready to close so we soon went back to camp walking along the promenade from Chrysler Motors to Trans. Bldg and looking down upon the court and fountain pool. The model houses are all similar in Architecture to the Good Housekeeping House. Most all feature Venetian Blinds, Linoleum floors, bedrooms downstairs and most 2nd floors in roof terrace. Very modern plumbing, indirect lighting, dining room alcoves, attached garages, air conditioning, built in kitchen cupboards and shelves.

Wed. We broke camp and left Chicago about 11 o'clock. Thro' Hammond, Valparaiso, Plymouth. Camped near Warsaw. Had dumplings cooked in rain storm.

Thurs. Thro' Fort Wayne, ate at Vans Wert ?? Ohio. Didn't pay for lunch. Thro' Bucyrus. Camped near there.

Fri. Mansfield, Wooster, Akron, Hudson, Willoughby and Painesville. Dorns and Shutts went on. We stayed with McCunes' friends. Called at Ethel Woodruff's.

Sat. Thro' Ashtabula, Conneaut, Erie, PA ate at West Field, came up Erie Boulevard to Route 5. On to Savannah.

The postcards on this page are Copyright, 1933, and Published by the Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation, Chicago.

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Diary of a Trip to World's Fair at Chicago 1933



	Guide 1933 Fair Map of 1933 Fair 1934 Fair Map of 1934 Fair Greyhound Tour Topics Costs for Visitors Colors and Lights Downtown Shopping Exhibits and Attractions Skyride Hall of Science Science Exhibits Firestone Tires Prehistoric Animals Wilson & Co. Meat Kraft Mayonnaise International Harvester Automobiles Railroads Air Travel Mail Foreign Exhibits Pantheon de la Guerre Colonial Village Foreign Villages Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not News Articles News Index Memories Family Memories World's Fair Diary NEW Trip to the Fair Rail Trip to the Fair Selling Coca-Cola E-mail Memories Links Links Page Contacts Page		Diary of a Trip to World's Fair at Chicago 1933 by Ethel H. Fairbanks This was typed up and sent by the granddaughter of Ethel H. Fairbanks. The diary describes travel from New York to Chicago and a week of sightseeing at the World's Fair in Chicago. Mon. July 24 - Started for Chicago's "Century of Progress". McCunes stopped for us about 7:30 and we met Dorns and Shuts in Lyons. We ate a picnic lunch near Gaines, crossed into Canada at Lewiston, thro' St. Catherine's, Grimsby, Hamilton and camped between Paris and Brantford. Weather much cooler. McCune's car rides so nice. Great time. Tues. Thro' London, Thamesville, Chatham, Windsor and crossed the new Ambassador Bridge into Detroit. Out Michigan Ave, a fast ride thro' traffic. Bought Cherry Cider. Thro' Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Jackson. Camped near the latter at Frank's Cabins. Excellent place. Steak supper. Wed. - thro' Battle Creek where we visited Kellogg's, Paw Paw, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Michigan City, Gary and East Chicago, Ind. and then Chicago. Found camping ground on hotel grounds three blocks from Fair. Great luck. Harold, Bee, Ernest and I walked over to the Fair Entrance. Could see Travel and Transport Bldg and some fireworks. Avenue of Flags & Greyhound Bus Thurs. We started early for the Fair. Took bus from South entrance to opposite end. Then took sight seeing bus and guide for three hours. He took us in all of principal buildings to show us important things. Then we could do the Fair systematically. Ate at German restaurant. Then went to Adler Planetarium. Only one in this country and one of few in the world. Can show position of sun, moon and planets at any time during year. From there we went to the Foods building which we enjoyed very much. Ate Aunt Jemima's pancakes, saw kitchens of foreign countries, exhibits of Sanka Coffee, Grape Nuts, Farm Machinery, Canned Goods, Coca Cola, Heinz and Libby's and cutting of meats. Ground Water System cleans, purifies, removes odors and tastes, cools water in all buildings. Went thro' some of the State Buildings and then over to the Dairy Bldg for supper. Saw Mechanical Cow, Color Orange, Milk and Cheese exh. With McCunes and Sheets went to Hall of Science Court to see ceremony of lighting Fair by Star Arcturus Listened to Evanston High School Band Concert. Then took bus to S. Entrance and went thro' Ukrainian Bldg and then back to camp. Sears Roebuck Building Fri. Went with Dorns to Temple of Jehol and Federal Bldg. Ernest was interested in Gov. Dep. Exhibits. Finished Fed. and States Bldg. with Bee and Beats and ate dinner at Fish Bar. Went to Sears Roebuck, Illinois Host Bldg and some of electrical group. Ate supper at Sears Roebuck roof and went to Floating Theatre where we heard Mundy Chorus. Over a hundred negro voices. They were very fine. Soloists were Claire Malone Sop., George Bizzelle and Herman Mills Bantam. His rendition of "Old Man River" and Miss Malone's of "Mighty Lak A Rose" were wonderful. Planned to hear them again Sun night. Many methods of illustrations are used in the exhibits: movies, slides, coloured and lighted pictures, models, charts and, where possible, the real thing in use. In Fed. Bldg. a large model of Mt. Rainier National Park, changed to show the four seasons with snow falling by means of light. Seats around this made of logs 4 feet in diameter with a quarter section cut out, highly polished and some Indian blankets thrown over them. Very pleasant place to rest. Mint where coins and bills were made as high as $10,000 denominations, bonds and stamps also. Dept. Of Commerce including airways, airplanes, device to keep them on their course. Patent Office exhibit models. Complete Life History of Oysters by fish producers. Old ship models. Maps showing the deaths and births of immigrants and emigrants. Net gain of one every 37 seconds. Population when we left was 125,756,865 on July 28,1933. Ag. Exp. Station cost 15 cents for farmers. Also there: Wild life Plant Quarantine Forests Models of farms Insects Showing crop rotation Soil chemistry Improvement of crops, farm service and stocks N.Y. State building had lighted pictures of scenic wonders. Huge pictures of Niagara Falls and N.Y. City skyline, changing color. Ohio - Davenports with Silhouette in back depicting history and hooked seats, everyone different. Very beautiful designs. California - Huge Redwood trees with gates thro' them. Orange juice for sale. Wisconsin - Beaver dam and house. Georgia - Many kinds of nuts, especially pecans. Sears Roebuck Bldg. - blue & gray. Aquarium and gray crushed stones around approaches. Huge map showing stores. Lounges and rest rooms. Quilt contest. Ingersoll watchmaking, robot cafeteria. Drinking fountains with electric eg. Floating theatre, lagoons walk in of Fed, States and Electric bldgs. Gondolas and motor boats on lagoon. Amos and Andy play ride. Illinois Host Building - Permanent Lincoln room. Hall of Science Sat. - We all went to the Hall of Science. Began with exhibits of medical schools. New process of reproducing of models of human skin, arms, hands, showing skin diseases, vaccinations, goiter and appendicitis operations, beating heart, human foetus in many stages. 2 mechanical men, one showing position of organs, the other showing digestion of food by means of movies and talkies. Malaria, artificial reproduction. Piccard's balloon and huge ball to study ocean depths. Complete working model of oil refinery. Huge magnified cross section of basswood tree, moving to show growth of cells and formation of rings. 94 elements of which everything is made. Chromium plating. The Walgreen Building We ate lunch in this building and supper at Walgreen's. Started General Exhibits group. Time & Fortune Bldg and went with Shuts to Sinclair Exhibit of Dinosaurs and to Firestone Bldg where tires were made complete with white machinery. Court with 4 colored singing fountains. Color organ principle. Went across walk to Havoline Thermometer 200 feet high. Walked along lagoon walk thro' little Midway. Ernest bought cane. Went to Belgian village. Very faithful reproduction. Streets on side hill. Church always in sight. Stone bridge. Market place used for dancing at night. Milk carts drawn by dogs. Cafes and shops. General Houses Inc. House Sun. - We started with Dorns and were with them nearly all day. Went thro' four of model houses, beginning with Good Housekeeping Homes Planning Hall. Hall of Religion Ate dinner at Thompson's restaurant and then went thro' Fort Dearborn and the Lincoln Group. I went up to the Hall of Religion and heard Mormon Choir of Chicago while Ernest went thro' Byrd's ship. I was there about two hours. Met Dorn's at Sears Roebuck for supper on the roof and then joined the others at the Floating Theatre to hear the Mundy Chorus. After that we went to Italia and then home. Shedd Aquarium Mon. We took the elevated to the stock yards. Went all thro' Swifts plant. Had dinner at Thompson's downtown, and went to Aquarium and then in main gate of Fair at 12th Street. Went to Sweden and Czechoslovakia, then to Gen. Elec. to Gutenberg Press and then to A&P Carnival where we heard the Gypsies and saw Tony Sarg's Marionettes. Found Howard and Bee there and went with them to Walgreen's for lunch and saw McCunes on the way. Had iced coffee. Went with Dorns to '49er Mining Camp. Rained so we didn't take ride on double decker bus as planned. Travel and Transport Building Tues. Each couple was alone all day without meeting the others, the first time that happened. Ernest and I rode downtown on double decker bus. Went to Greyhound Station to inquire about sight seeing trip. Gave it up when we found that we had already seen a large part of it. Went in Main Entrance and over first bridges to Iceland. To Electric Bldg to see House of Magic and Television Demonstration. Took bus up to Transportation Bldg. Went thro' Mexican Presidential Train, thro' Burlington Pullman with old and new mail car where we could mail cards furnished free. Lounge car where we were invited to rest. Also thro' Royal Scot. Many places to rest in the Transportation Bldg and many things to see. Milk car, Refrigerated car, airplanes, fruit and latest Packard and bicycle. Exhibits of some foreign countries, Canada and Palestine and others. Went over to General Motors where we saw the Chevrolet Assembly Plant. Down to Thompson's for supper. I went thro' some more model houses. Then we went back to Maya Temple and Chrysler Bldg. It was nearly 10 and they were ready to close so we soon went back to camp walking along the promenade from Chrysler Motors to Trans. Bldg and looking down upon the court and fountain pool. The model houses are all similar in Architecture to the Good Housekeeping House. Most all feature Venetian Blinds, Linoleum floors, bedrooms downstairs and most 2nd floors in roof terrace. Very modern plumbing, indirect lighting, dining room alcoves, attached garages, air conditioning, built in kitchen cupboards and shelves. Nunnery of Uxmal Maya Temple Wed. We broke camp and left Chicago about 11 o'clock. Thro' Hammond, Valparaiso, Plymouth. Camped near Warsaw. Had dumplings cooked in rain storm. Thurs. Thro' Fort Wayne, ate at Vans Wert ?? Ohio. Didn't pay for lunch. Thro' Bucyrus. Camped near there. Fri. Mansfield, Wooster, Akron, Hudson, Willoughby and Painesville. Dorns and Shutts went on. We stayed with McCunes' friends. Called at Ethel Woodruff's. Sat. Thro' Ashtabula, Conneaut, Erie, PA ate at West Field, came up Erie Boulevard to Route 5. On to Savannah. The postcards on this page are Copyright, 1933, and Published by the Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation, Chicago. Home Top