Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

World's Fair Pavilion

By Devry Becker Jones, April 24, 2019

1. World's Fair Pavilion Marker

The marker is inside the World's Fair Pavilion, which is an open-air structure.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Though called the World's Fair Pavilion, this popular gathering spot was not built until 1909, five years after the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Designed by Henry Wright, the pavilion was presented to the citizens of St. Louis by the Fair Commission. It gave St. Louisans a place to take in a view of their city, enjoy refreshments and meet each other in the park where the world once met.

The exterior of the World's Fair Pavilion was restored in 1980. A full restoration sponsored by Forest Park Forever was completed in September 1998.

[Captions]
Postcard: Garden
"Formal gardens of classical beauty" reads the description on the back of this postcard. Landscaping like this came to Forest Park and the pavilion grounds with Dwight F. Davis, St. Louis Commissioner of Parks from 1911-1930.

Postcard: Fountain
This postcard shows the electric fountain at the base of the Government Hill. After its 1930 installation, complete with rainbow-colored lights, the St. Louis Star Times reported "a new note in the evening symphony of beauty in Forest Park."

Refreshments
Following

By Devry Becker Jones, April 24, 2019

2. World's Fair Pavilion Marker

the close of the Fair, city officials requested a pavilion for the sale of refreshments to be built. The resulting World's Fair Pavilion and the Jefferson Memorial (the Missouri Historical Society) were two projects sponsored by the Fair Commission. This photo is dates 1940.

Rock Concert
Sunday rock concerts filled the pavilion in 1970, even though requests for permits had been refused. On July 12, 1970 the Youth International Party held the "Festival of Life" pictured here.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 38° 38.155′ N, 90° 17.123′ W. Marker is in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Marker can be reached from Concourse Drive north of Washington Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1904 Concourse Drive, Saint Louis MO 63110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Government Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Government Hill & The World's Fair Pavilion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elegance and Beauty through the Years (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Jewel Box (approx. 0.3 miles away); Saint Louis Art Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Muny

Time Capsule also within the World's Fair Pavilion image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones, April 24, 2019

3. Time Capsule also within the World's Fair Pavilion

(approx. 0.4 miles away); The Original Music Pagoda (approx. half a mile away); A Fair Legacy: The Zoo (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forest Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.