On this day – April 6

On this day in 1915 the New York City Building was dedicated at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This day also honored Lassen County Day, and Helen Keller gave a speach on the topic of “Happiness” at Festival Hall.

New York City constructed the only municipal structure at the exposition, and it used this pavilion to demonstrate “proper” city management. The 15,000 square-foot building was designed by Bertram Goodhue and was described as “square-cut and severe.” Dispays of maps, models, photographs, and charts described many aspects of city government including education, real estate, fire, police, water, public works, health, transportation, parks, and museums.

The City of New York Building, Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Official Postcard of the Cardinell-Vincent Company. Courtesy of Ron Plain.

Demonstrating a Metropolis at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Courtesy of Ron Plain.