Pennsylvania Railroad to the Columbian Exposition

Unique perspectives of Chicago for the Columbian Exposition.

“A city more beautiful than artist’s brush ever dared to picture or poet’s fancy to sing – a city whose pinnacles pierced the clouds and whose glistening domes rivaled in dazzling glory the effulgence of the sun itself; a city that teemed with treasures gathered from the four corners of the earth; a city in which the wonders of the age were grouped in alluring yet embarrassing profusion; a city in whose harbor were gathered the marine craft of four centuries, and through whose streets sauntered visitors from every clime.” – pg. 87.

This interesting guidebook, the 2nd edition, was published in 1893 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to encourage ridership along company lines to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Held in the Windy City’s Jackson Park, the World’s Fair was organized to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the ‘discovery’ of America by Christopher Columbus.

The illustrated covers of the volume highlight the perceived technological advances of the West, presumably ushered in by the arrival of Columbus. A large locomotive pulls luxury rail cars (Travel in the Occident), while a rudimentary train of elephants and camels represents ‘Travel in the Orient.’

The contents offer a descriptive narrative overview of the primary route and the major urban centers along the way, including New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Small maps are included for each city, along with numerous photographic views that showcase the myriad of landmarks and attractions along the lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The fairgrounds are also described in full.