| Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition |
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| Thursday, 17 July 2008 | |
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Towering 100 feet above First & Main, the Subtropical Exposition opened in 1888 to lure tourism to Jacksonville.
Inside the enormous hall was an electrically-lit fountain of stone and coral with a pond containing rare fish. Exhibits included a Seminole Indian camp, displays of Florida products, an art gallery, two artificial lakes, and a zoo. For a time the exposition proved highly popular, and it was visited by President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland in 1888 and 1889.
Interest in the exposition, as well as Jacksonville's tourism, began to decline after a bad yellow fever epidemic in 1889, and by 1897 the Exposition building was torn down to make way for a new reservoir.
Text: Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage by Wayne W. Wood; Images: Florida Photographic Archives |
July 17, 2008, 7:16 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
When I see those pix of old Jax I cannot imagine how hot it must have been without AC and wearing full coat and tie or the women wearing the heavy long dresses...ugh....
July 17, 2008, 7:59 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
great pictures, first ones I've seen of the interior. About 6 years ago I picked up very nice decantur and set of glasses marked with the subtropical exposition at tin roof antiques
July 17, 2008, 9:04 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
It didn't last very long once people decided to just go to subtropical south florida.
July 17, 2008, 9:07 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
What a great building though. Imagine if that thing was still standing.
I've thought that very same thing many many times. Also note that there was not Secret or Old Spice deodorant back then either.... P.U.!
July 17, 2008, 9:13 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
Add to that the horse dung in the streets and the outhouse type latrines... Just think of one of those 98 degree 100% humidity days... with no breeze...
July 17, 2008, 9:17 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
..... paper mills and factories right up the road.... shipyards and fisheries the other way....
People back then must not have had a sence of smell.
July 17, 2008, 2:30 pm
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
What an amazing building. It would be awesome to have something like this downtown today only as an aquarium and maritime museum.
July 17, 2008, 4:02 pm
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
Ahh... back in the days when buildings were unique with intricate architecture and creative designs. Not the cookie cutter buildings we build nowadays just to save a buck.
July 19, 2008, 9:32 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
You have to remember that it (the smells of fisheries, horse dung, factory smells, musky crotches and underarms, etc.) had been that way for centuries so people were used to these smells and were accustomed to them from the time they were born; it was the way of life back then so people were used to it and the smells. Obviously when you had some of those smells, (horse dung, smoke, fisheries, etc.) this was ususally an indication of a sign of progress and prosperity.
Heights Unknown
July 19, 2008, 10:31 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
Heights Unknown
July 19, 2008, 1:56 pm
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
I think they were quite used to it. In the Middle Ages, St. Bernard said, "We all stink. No one smells." I think that sums up their tolerance for it.
We had an enormous tolerance for cigarette smoke 25 years ago. Every indoor space was filled with it. Restaurants, the mall, department stores. But I never noticed it particularly. Now if I go into a bar I can smell it 10 feet from the door. 25 years ago, I wouldn't have even noticed it. BTW I smoke but not in the house
July 20, 2008, 11:49 am
...and we should?
We have covered the idea of World class museums, hosting a worlds fair *(2017 is open and would be the FIRST Worlds Fair in the USA for a long, long, time). Also rebuilding Dixieland, or the Ostrich Farm, either as a "TROLLEY PARK".
Now you've done it, gone and dug up the photos of the sub-tropical expo, in Jacksonville. There was also another element to this, a special train which toured the entire country, making stops all along the way showing the virtues of Florida Livings and JACKSONVILLE! Gee, what an idea for today... What a thing to recreate.
Ocklawaha
July 20, 2008, 7:41 pm
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
Thank you Ocklawaha for always sharing your knowledge of Jacksonville history in your posts. As a transplant here, I enjoy learning about Jacksonville's past.
July 21, 2008, 9:32 am
Re: Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition
We had an enormous tolerance for cigarette smoke 25 years ago. Every indoor space was filled with it. Restaurants, the mall, department stores. But I never noticed it particularly. Now if I go into a bar I can smell it 10 feet from the door. 25 years ago, I wouldn't have even noticed it. BTW I smoke but not in the house
Great point!! People do become nasally fatigued afer even a relatively short exposure. Back when I was a plumber I amazed myself with what smells I could tolerate. Can't handle them anymore though!
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