The Palace of Horticulture, the least ornately built palace, was situated on Agriculture Hill, 250 feet south of the Palace of Agriculture, both designed by architect E. L. Masqueray. Masquery used the shape of the Greek cross adding a center pavilion (400 feet square) and sunken two wings (204 by 200 feet) to complete the 227,338 dollar building.
The palace covered 7.1 acres.
The palace was broken into two very distinct and different sections. The first was produce, concentrating on fruits and nuts found around the world. The other section was floral and was located on a 50-acre area both
Masqueray-created palaces. The floral display is much more elaborate and impressive outside of the palace than within.
The center pavilion contained the table exhibits of the pomological department, and here were shown in season; fresh fruits and berries in competition. The space between the Horticultural and Agriculture Palaces, and on the grounds surrounding them both, were ornamental rose gardens in which exhibiting florists and nurserymen maintained their respective beds.
The east wing of the building was a conservatory and furnished exhibit quarters for specimens of plants and for forcing (the process of speeding up blooming or fruit production by changing climate, food, etc.). The western wing opened up to a 76 foot rotunda with an electric water fountain. This wing showcased displays of cut flowers.
One of the highlights of the outdoor exhibits was the 5 acre `living' map of the United States made out of
819 varieties of native plants and vegetables. Walkways outlines the boundaries between the states and territories of the one inch equals one mile scale map. The crops growth within each state were characteristic of what each region of the US commonly planted. Alfalfa grew in Kansas, while its famous blue grass grew in Kentucky. Landscape designers grew corn Illinois, wheat in North Dakota and in Louisiana. States well-known for a diversity of crop, showcased a variety of horticultural produce. The map included The principal lakes and rivers as well as geographic terrain such as using sand and cactus for arid regions. Children from public school classes work on the map daily.
Underneath the structures, a huge basement was used to provide cold storage for the fresh fruits and produce.
October 4th was designated Apple Day, every fairgoer to enter the palace received a free apple.
Inside the palace, were vast displays of the different states and territories covering their spaces allowed with wares, produce and a seemingly unlimited variety of fruits grown in every temperate, tropical and semi-tropical climates. The largest displays were by Missouri and California. There were many contests and tasting events or all kinds, including cut flowers.
Over 100,000 8 1/4 inch China plates created by the Ohio China Company were used to display the
exhibitors and contestant's wares.
Outside, the fairgoers were dazzled by the exterior horticultural exhibits located on a 50 acre section of Agriculture Hill. Landscapers utilized the slopes of the hill terrain to best arrangement of the flower beds and aquatic basins and other foliage. Over 100,000 bulbs and 17,000 roses were planted. An huge aquatic plant exhibition covered more than two acres, and included rare specimens.
As with the Palace of Agriculture, the massive Horticulture structure's exhibitors had a flair for creating displays to lure the eye or raise the eyebrow. There were potatoes the size of watermelons and massive pumpkins.
A few of the artistic exhibits:
Nebraska exhibit: included apples with names and phrases grown
into the peel.
California exhibit: included an enormous elephant and a replica
of the of the state capitol made out of almonds.
Mississippi exhibit: included A horse sculpture made entirely out
of pecans.
South of The Horticultural Palace a forty acre tract of land was
used for livestock exhibitions. Sheep, cattle, horses, goats, sheep hogs,
dogs, etc. were all shown and exhibited in a wide array of attractions
and contests. The livestock exhibits occupied 37 acres.
290,000 dollars in award money was given out by the department
including large special prizes.
A mule from a Morgan County farm in the Ozarks,
received the Mayor¹s Award and 10,000 dollars at one of
contests. Thus, the term "Missouri Mule."
Modern barns were shown. The daily competitions were performed in a huge ring and spectator stand. There, the first dairy goat show was held in America.
Each individual exhibit had the person's name and address on it.
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