1905 Worlds Fair and a work day in the yard

 

The exposition was officially open a total of 137 days from June 1, 1905 to Oct. 15, 1905, and the cost of operation during the period was $500,090.37 or $3,650.30 per day. The total attendance was 2,554,848 but only 1,588,858 people paid an admission charge of 50 cents during the week or 25 cents on Sunday, bringing in a revenue of $730,032.85. In addition to the seasonal revenue, there were 227,738 paid admissions of $30,043.67 for 360 days before the exposition was formally opened, and 18,225 paid gate receipts of $4,702.60 after the closing of the fair. It appears no one was allowed to stay on the premises for a "free" review of coming attractions or prologue of past events.Very little remains to remind us of the Lewis & Clark fair today. The old fair site is now home to Montgomery Park and several surrounding businesses.

This is the Forestry building. It was built from old growth logs that still had the bark on them. It survived from the Worlds Fair until 1963 when it burned to the ground.

On May 26, 1905, it was reported that "The Congregational people have erected a large tabernacle one block east of the evangelical Church, where they will hold services while building their church."

The St. Johns Review subsequently announced that the church would be built on Willamette Boulevard; however, someone much have had connections with the National Cash Register Co. because it donated its fair structure to the local congregation.

The building was barged down the Willamette, rolled up Main Street (Richmond Avenue) and placed on a corner lot at Ivanhoe Street.

The building was dedicated on June 3, 1906 after some renovation and modifications. An annex was subsequently added to the original structure after an additional lot was acquired on Feb. 25, 1907.

This property and building were sold to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri on Nov. 12, 1937, and the church then became known as the St. John Lutheran church. The property was subsequently sold to the St. Johns Post No. 98 of the American Legion in 1951. It has had two owners since. Known today as the St. Johns Theater & Pub it is one of many historic facilities operated by the McMenamin brothers in Oregon and Washington.

This is the building we found that is the last of the world’s fair building that is still standing.   We had a fun morning taking a “Portland History Tour”    The buildings name is “N.C.R.” National Cash Register.  ??    It is now a PUB (Mc Memimins) 

 

Across the street an old gas station dates the area and about a mile Saint Johns bridge crosses the Willamette River and also looks very dated. FUN  Here is photo of the St Johns bridge under construction.

And again, a train trestle OLD, OLD,OLD

A few weeks ago and before school was out we asked the grandkids if they wanted to earn some money, they of course said YES and so a 10:00 a.m. this morning Lindsi and callie brought their kids over to gather piles of clippings from around the yard.   They brought the big kids and  they moved wood piles too.   We had just a little rain but not enough to keep us from finishing.   We missed Baylor and Wesley since I thought they might be too young.   I defiantly think Baylor shall be a part of the crew next time.   I realized he likes to help too!!