Germany's entry overlooked the main picture of the World's Fair and was designed
by Emperor William to represent Imperial Germany at the World's Fair. Situated on the summit of a large hill, it overlooked the beautiful Cascades. The structure was a partial reproduction of a building renowned in German history as the Schloss (Castle) at Charlottenburg, near Berlin. The castle was built near the end of the seventeenth century by Frederick I., the first King of Prussia. It was designed by Andreas
Schlueter, the great German architect in the 16th century.
The main facade of the German Pavilion was in two stories. In the center, over the main entrance, towering 150 feet skyward, was an enormous stilted dome. Surrounding the building were copies of the famous gardens of Charlottenburg Castle, from which
plants were taken by the landscape artists to make the likeness more real. A set of chimes, striking the hours in the great tower, served to attract the visitor to the impressiveness of the German Palace.
The building was open to the public only by invitation.
Inside, the rooms contained many items and furniture from the original castle. Rooms in the pavilion were furnished with precious old furniture, gobelins (tapestries), and silver ornaments.
Of note was a 200 pound silver table ornament in the shape of a sailing vessel.
The building was dedicated on May, 5.
Many of the artifacts and works of art were then owned by the Emperor, and had been in the possession of his family for hundreds of years. There were an excellent collection of artistic jewelry and medals of great value, and the wood work and hangings of all the rooms were notable.
Germany has two additional impressive exhibits at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The first was the German Railroad, situated between the Palace of Forestry, Fish and Game, and the Administration Building. Set in a 600 by 125 foot area, the exhibit showcased the operation of a modern German rail service. There were 4,200 of the most modern tracks and switches, and other railroad hardware, including smaller scale block houses, switch towers and railroad stations.
The second additional exhibit was the Olbrich Pavilion at the Palace of Varied Industries. It represented a model German country home.
