The Panama-California Exposition: Balboa Park 1915-1916
Exotic flowers enliven the gardens and streets of the fair and a lion roars from its cage. Esteemed guests arrive, crossing over the Cabrillo Canyon on a perfect white, multiple arch bridge. It was built for their arrival. Spectators gaze up at the Spanish architecture before entering the cleverly-concealed plaster walls of the Casa del Prado. San Diego’s January sun shines down on the newly opened exposition.
With the completion of the highly anticipated Panama Canal set for 1914, San Diego would be the first American port-of-call north of the canal. In 1909 the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, headed by G. Aubrey Davidson, voted to pursue a San Diego exposition for 1915. Davidson, head of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and founder of Southern Trust and Commerce Bank, believed a San Diego exposition would help boost the area’s economy and grow the city of 40,000.
San Francisco, however, also set forth plans for a celebratory exposition. On May 7, 1910, due to another exposition threat by New Orleans, the two California cities formed a compromise. San Francisco would host a larger exposition and San Diego would host a smaller one.
But the San Diego Exposition became larger than expected. The hilly and undeveloped landscape of Balboa Park (previously City Park) was quickly shaped into land more suitable for the exposition. Event planners desired architectural styles never before used in a world’s fair. Head architect Bertram Goodhue and assistant architects Frank Allen and Carleton Winslow were contracted by the city as the primary building designers. Straying from classical Greek and Roman styles, their work for the exposition was influenced greatly by Spanish and Mediterranean styles. The architecture was very well received by both the public and by art professionals, and greatly influenced architectural design, especially in California.
Although the central theme was to celebrate man's progress and achievements, Spanish culture became a prominent theme in the exposition, exaggerating and romanticizing the region’s Spanish history. Promoters advertised the Spanish culture, and prominent, historical Spanish figures were displayed along the façade of the park’s El Prado building.
Possibly the greatest architectural feat of the exposition was the Cabrillo Bridge, which spans the Cabrillo Canyon west of the park. The bridge, still standing today, was built primarily to allow for easier pedestrian access. It was the first multiple-arched cantilever structure in California and spans 916 feet. The Cabrillo Bridge was one of the few permanent structures in the park, along with the San Diego Museum of Man and Spreckels Organ Pavilion—one of the world’s largest pipe organs. Most of the other buildings were built as temporary wood-and-plaster structures. These state-of-the-art structures ultimately helped to impress the San Diego visitors. Proving the it as an impressive city.
Other park buildings included the California State Building and Quadrangle, the Botanical Building, the California Bell Tower, the New Mexico Building, and the Administration Building.
The park opened on December 31, 1914 with a large initial draw. All park workers were dressed in Spanish and Mexican military uniforms to emphasize Spanish culture. Exotic plants grew throughout the park, including over 40,000 blooming red Poinsettia plants. Because of the surprising success, San Diego decided to extend the exposition an extra year. In the second year, the San Diego Zoo was founded and established as part of the exposition.
When it finally closed in early 1917, 3.7 million people had visited the park. The slight profit earned was donated to the San Diego Museum. Notable visitors included Henry Ford, William Jennings Bryan, Thomas Edison, William Howard Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt, approving of the buildings' architecture, recommended that the "buildings of rare phenomenal taste and beauty" be left as permanent additions at Balboa Park. The majority of the buildings were only supposed to remain standing through 1916 and were not constructed with long-lasting materials.
In 1935-1936, the California Pacific International Exposition was held in San Diego as an attempt to boost the economy during the depression. A number of buildings were created for the exposition, although the theme was altered little from the original 1915-1916 Balboa Park Fair. Some additions included the Old Globe, one of the most esteemed regional theaters in the country, and the Spanish Village Art Center.
The Balboa Park Exposition demonstrated man’s progress and achievements and exhibited Spanish art and culture. It was largely responsible for the popularity of Spanish architecture in California, as the style was virtually unseen in America before the exposition. Most importantly, the fair successfully demonstrated San Diego’s potential as a major port and city. The fair helped develop an important part of San Diego, and brought millions to see it. It was a large factor and landmark event in the growth of San Diego into a major city.
With the completion of the highly anticipated Panama Canal set for 1914, San Diego would be the first American port-of-call north of the canal. In 1909 the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, headed by G. Aubrey Davidson, voted to pursue a San Diego exposition for 1915. Davidson, head of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and founder of Southern Trust and Commerce Bank, believed a San Diego exposition would help boost the area’s economy and grow the city of 40,000.
San Francisco, however, also set forth plans for a celebratory exposition. On May 7, 1910, due to another exposition threat by New Orleans, the two California cities formed a compromise. San Francisco would host a larger exposition and San Diego would host a smaller one.
But the San Diego Exposition became larger than expected. The hilly and undeveloped landscape of Balboa Park (previously City Park) was quickly shaped into land more suitable for the exposition. Event planners desired architectural styles never before used in a world’s fair. Head architect Bertram Goodhue and assistant architects Frank Allen and Carleton Winslow were contracted by the city as the primary building designers. Straying from classical Greek and Roman styles, their work for the exposition was influenced greatly by Spanish and Mediterranean styles. The architecture was very well received by both the public and by art professionals, and greatly influenced architectural design, especially in California.
Although the central theme was to celebrate man's progress and achievements, Spanish culture became a prominent theme in the exposition, exaggerating and romanticizing the region’s Spanish history. Promoters advertised the Spanish culture, and prominent, historical Spanish figures were displayed along the façade of the park’s El Prado building.
Possibly the greatest architectural feat of the exposition was the Cabrillo Bridge, which spans the Cabrillo Canyon west of the park. The bridge, still standing today, was built primarily to allow for easier pedestrian access. It was the first multiple-arched cantilever structure in California and spans 916 feet. The Cabrillo Bridge was one of the few permanent structures in the park, along with the San Diego Museum of Man and Spreckels Organ Pavilion—one of the world’s largest pipe organs. Most of the other buildings were built as temporary wood-and-plaster structures. These state-of-the-art structures ultimately helped to impress the San Diego visitors. Proving the it as an impressive city.
Other park buildings included the California State Building and Quadrangle, the Botanical Building, the California Bell Tower, the New Mexico Building, and the Administration Building.
The park opened on December 31, 1914 with a large initial draw. All park workers were dressed in Spanish and Mexican military uniforms to emphasize Spanish culture. Exotic plants grew throughout the park, including over 40,000 blooming red Poinsettia plants. Because of the surprising success, San Diego decided to extend the exposition an extra year. In the second year, the San Diego Zoo was founded and established as part of the exposition.
When it finally closed in early 1917, 3.7 million people had visited the park. The slight profit earned was donated to the San Diego Museum. Notable visitors included Henry Ford, William Jennings Bryan, Thomas Edison, William Howard Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt, approving of the buildings' architecture, recommended that the "buildings of rare phenomenal taste and beauty" be left as permanent additions at Balboa Park. The majority of the buildings were only supposed to remain standing through 1916 and were not constructed with long-lasting materials.
In 1935-1936, the California Pacific International Exposition was held in San Diego as an attempt to boost the economy during the depression. A number of buildings were created for the exposition, although the theme was altered little from the original 1915-1916 Balboa Park Fair. Some additions included the Old Globe, one of the most esteemed regional theaters in the country, and the Spanish Village Art Center.
The Balboa Park Exposition demonstrated man’s progress and achievements and exhibited Spanish art and culture. It was largely responsible for the popularity of Spanish architecture in California, as the style was virtually unseen in America before the exposition. Most importantly, the fair successfully demonstrated San Diego’s potential as a major port and city. The fair helped develop an important part of San Diego, and brought millions to see it. It was a large factor and landmark event in the growth of San Diego into a major city.