1893 World's Columbian Exposition

The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 was the first world’s fair held in Chicago. Carving out some 600 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Jackson Park, the exposition was a major milestone. Congress awarded Chicago the opportunity to host the fair over the other candidate cities of New York, Washington D.C. and St. Louis, Missouri. More than 150,000 people passed through the grounds each day during its six-month run, making it larger than all of the U.S. world’s fairs that preceded it. There was also a dark side to the Fair. Dr H.H. Holmes became the first American serial killer and preyed on dozens of women visiting the Fair. Join Duane E. Shaffer for a discussion of this fascinating subject.