A Trip Around the Pan-American Exposition (1901) - Documentary/Short Film

The Pan-American Exposition is encircled by an especially constructed canal, which was put in for the purpose of allowing the tourist to view the exterior of the buildings of the Pan-American Exposition with as little fatigue as possible. It is called the Grand Canal, is over a mile in length and extends around the central group of large buildings. The Mirror Lakes in the Southern portion of the canal form a picturesque feature and add ten fold interest to this picture. The electric launches which make the trip around the Exposition, and which are controlled by the Venice in America Co., represent the climax of comfort and elegance. The ride is a refreshing one with charming views at every turn. Romantic bridges span the waterway at convenient points, statuary placed everywhere contributes to the picturesque effect. The above named picture was secured by special permission of Mr. Burgee, of the Venice in America Co., and our picture was made from the bow of an especially chartered electric launch which made the trip for us at a high rate of speed. We give below as near as possible a detailed description of the different points of interest, as they are recorded by the camera, and just as they are viewed by the visitor himself in making the trip on one of these exquisite launches. The launch in which our camera was placed started from the landing place in the Streets of Venice, which is stituated on the west side of the Exposition grounds facing the Midway. The canal makes a quarer circle eastward, and our boat passes under the West Mall bridge, making an abrupt turn northward and continuing on its course past the Bazaar Building and to the African Village, when it swings suddenly to the eastward and makes a complete circle of the electric tower, turning its many corners and passing under a number of beautiful constructed bridges, over which multitudes of people are seen wending their way. In the trip from the Streets of Venice to the Electric Tower we pass many electric launches, and gondolas laden with tourists who are making merry as our camera passes them. Three of the gondolas contain the Venetian Band and many of the pretty girls of the Streets of Venice, all of which attend to make the picture highly interesting. Having encircled and passed the Electric Tower, our boat takes an eastward course until it reaches the Stadium, when it passes under another of the exquisite bridges and turns abruptly to the south. Continuing its southern course it passes under the East Mall bridge, and takes in the Manufacturers' and Liberal Arts Buildings, passes the east entrance of the U.S. Government Building and the U.S. Ordnance Exhibit, where the heavy artillery and large disappearing guns are observed mounted in their repsective places. Our launch then swings to the eastward and continues a short distance when it again takes a southerly course and passes the south entrance of the U.S. Government Building, approaches and passes the Forestry and the grounds