PPIE

The Panama–Pacific International Exposition was a world's fair held in San Francisco, California, U.S., from February 20 to December 4, 1915. Its stated purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, but it was widely seen in the city as an opportunity to showcase its recovery from the 1906 earthquake. The fair was constructed on a 636 acre (2.6 km2) site along the northern shore, between the Presidio and Fort Mason, now known as the Marina District.Festival HallTower of Jewels at nightPalace of HorticultureSan Francisco, autochrome color photo (1916)Fountain of EnergyCalifornia BuildingThe model of the Panama CanalPalace of Fine Arts, by Exposition exhibitor Colin Campbell CooperThe State of Wisconsin PavilionThe 'India Block' at the Exposition.Floodlit pavilion at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition. The Tower of Jewels on the left, and the Italian Tower on the rightThe Court of Palms, with the Palace of Horticulture at backgroundGeneral view with the Palace of Horticulture (left) and Tower of Jewels (right)Aerial view of the Panama–Pacific International Exposition. The exposition buildings have been colored to distinguish them from the rest of the Marina District area.Modern picture of the Palace of Fine Arts, the only building surviving today (reconstructed) still on the exposition grounds The Panama–Pacific International Exposition was a world's fair held in San Francisco, California, U.S., from February 20 to December 4, 1915. Its stated purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, but it was widely seen in the city as an opportunity to showcase its recovery from the 1906 earthquake. The fair was constructed on a 636 acre (2.6 km2) site along the northern shore, between the Presidio and Fort Mason, now known as the Marina District. Among the exhibits at the Exposition was the C. P. Huntington, the first steam locomotive purchased by Southern Pacific Railroad; the locomotive then went on static display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. A telephone line was also established to New York City so people across the continent could hear the Pacific Ocean. The Liberty Bell traveled by train on a nationwide tour from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend the exposition. The 1915 American Grand Prize and Vanderbilt Cup auto races were held February 27 and March 6 on a 3.84-mile (6.18 km) circuit set up around the Exposition grounds. The Smithsonian Institution also had an exhibition at the Exposition. Yumian (鱼面), meaning fish-noodle in Chinese, is a noodle made with flour and fish from the Fu River in Yunmeng, China. Yunmeng Yumian was awarded silver medal of the Panama–Pacific International Exposition. Indian culture was a topic of interest during the nine-month-long exposition with multiple attractions dedicated to Indian life. The most popular attraction at the exposition that depicted Indian life is James Earle Fraser's statue, The End of the Trail. Fraser's statue, which showed a Native American man slumped over on a horse, reflected the American idea at the time, that the Native American race was doomed for extinction. The exposition not only celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal, but also advances made by the American people, part of which were the conquests of indigenous people by Americans as well as Europeans. These celebrations over the Native community, can be seen through artworks such as The End of the Trail, and The Pioneeror tributes to Francisco Pizarro and Hernán Cortés. In comparison to previous world fairs, the Panama–Pacific International Exposition showcased Indians more as nobles rather than savage people, but who were still inevitably destined to become extinct. These ideas were presented in plays, known as pageants, where Native Americans played small roles such as in “Catalonian dragoons, muleteers, and a tribe of Carmel Indians.” While the demise of Native American people was a rhetoric created by fair organizers,scholars have argued that in reality, the Native persona was very present and did not reflect the idea that it was a disappearing civilization. Indians were in fact part of the fair, but attended as visitors, performers, and workers. More recently, scholars have focused on Native representation in San Francisco's 1915 rival world fair, San Diego's 1915 Panama-California Exposition that showed Indian life in a more anthropological light versus this American ideal. During the Panama–Pacific International Exposition women were in charge of their own board known as the Woman's Board of San Francisco's Panama–Pacific International Exposition. The board, also called the Boards of Lady Managers, allowed women to take part in organizing different aspects of the fair and more importantly gave them the opportunity to have a campaigning platform for discussing women's rights and social issues. It was commonly argued that the fair celebrated male dominance over women by not providing a building for women. Also, men and women were depicted differently in artworks advertising the exposition. White women, specifically were presented as caretakers while men as strong and powerful saviors such as, in the poster “13thLabor of Hercules.” At the time, there was an idea of a “New Woman” who was more progressive and advance intellectually as well as sexually. This idea of a “New Woman” related to the overarching theme of the fair, modernity and progress. In efforts to promote the fair and safety of the city, fair organizers used the “New Woman” as an advertising tactic and proof that San Francisco was an evolving and safe environment for tourists. During the fair, women could be seen posing with agriculture from around the state in celebration of California's produce. All the women were young-beautiful white women who were often the highlight of many newspaper articles and events. This use of women, presented the idea that they were only useful for their beauty but failed to appreciate their intellectual capacity and physical abilities. One of the most memorable achievements of the Women's Board was the installment of statue that celebrated women, specifically mothers known as the Pioneer Mother. The centerpiece was the Tower of Jewels, which rose to 435 feet and was covered with over 100,000 cut glass Novagems. The ​3⁄4 to 2 inch colored 'gems' sparkled in sunlight throughout the day and were illuminated by over 50 powerful electrical searchlights at night.