Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
During the summer of 1913, plans were announced for a Grand Canyon Exhibit at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco for 1915. Walter W. Burridge was hired to create a series of 100-feet long oil reproductions of the Grand Canyon. On June 25 1913, the “San Francisco Call” announced, “SANTA FE AT WORK ON GRAND CANYON EXHIBIT. Reproduction for Fair to Cost $300,000. Illusion Will Be Perfected by Canvases and Modeling.” The article reported, “Plans for the $300,000 reproduction of the Grand Canyon of Arizona, the exposition exhibit of the Santa Fe Railroad, were outlined yesterday by W. F. Sesser in a communication to the exposition company. Walter W. Burridge who will paint the canvasses, is on an extensive tour of the canyon with Mr. Sesser. The work will be made up of canvases and stone modeling. Rocks, trees, cactus and shrubbery have been collected for the model” (page 18).
Other newspapers soon included and an interview with Sesser of the exhibit:
“F. Fraser, manager of the Santa Fe exhibits, and who will have charge of the $300,000 reproduction of the Grand Canyon, of Arizona, at he Panama-Pacific International Exposition, in an interview, gives some interesting information about the construction of the exhibit. ‘In the production of this work,’ said Sesser,’I have had with me at the canyon Walter W. Burridge, one of America’s greatest painters; Charles R. Fisher, J. C. Schwerdt and a full equipment of guides and helpers. Captain John Hance, the hermit of the canyon, has been with us all the time. We have made studies at ten of the principal points of the canyon that will embrace in the exhibit we are to make the most grand and magnificent portions of the canyon. ‘We are gathering rocks, trees, cactus and shrubbery of all kinds from the rim of the canyon, which we will use in constructing the facsimile rim at the Grand Canyon exhibit. We will build a portion of Hermit trail, showing a trail party in motion, actual figures being constructed in correct position to accomplish this effect. In one section we will reproduce a storm in the canyon. We will also, in another section, have the effect of moonlight and sunset, with beautiful El Tovar hotel illuminated at night on the rim. ‘We are forwarding to San Francisco the first consignment of our studies in oil, pastel and water color, with color keps [?], color tones, dimensions, positions and the data necessary for the carrying out of the scheme. ‘I am going into the Indian villages, accompanied by Burridge and the rest of the party, for the purpose of making careful notes and studies of the Puebla life, as this will be an important feature, occupying the second floor of our front construction, In this part of the exhibit will be housed Hopi and Navajo Indian villages. Here the Indians will be engaged in their daily occupations, the same as in their original villages” (Victoria Daily Times, June 30, 1913, page 3).
Burridge traveled to Albuquerque after painting pictures for two months. He was found dead in his bed at the Alvarado hotel the evening of his arrival. Death was attributed to heart disease, caused by acute indigestion. His widow received the news at the home of H. M. Smith, 438 Maple avenue, Oak Park, where she was a guest at he time. Burridge was only 56 years old and newspapers across the country reported, “His work of the Grand Canyon he had hoped to make the best of his career and fulfill his ambitions as a scenic artist.”
After his passing, the Santa Fe Railroad selected a another scenic artist, and friend of Burridge, to complete the paintings of the southwest – Edgar Payne.
Next summer, the exhibit was well underway. On August 27, 1914, the “Fergus Country Democrat” reported, “A panoramic reproduction of the Grand Canyon is being built at the Panama-pacific International exposition at a cost of over $300,000; over fifty thousand square yards of linen canvas, imported from Scotland, are being used for the set pieces. Visitors in this concession will view the panoramic from observation parlor cars, moved by electricity on an elevated trestle, seemingly along the rim of the canyon. The observer will be enabled to see eight of the most distinctive points of the canyon and the ride will last over half an hour, including, apparently, a journey of more than one hundred miles of the great gorge. Every resource of modern science is employed in the work of this production” (page 11). The “Joliet News” added, “The Grand Canyon concession is built upon so prodigious a scale that visitors will view the canvases from a standard gauge railway coach running on a standard gauge track” (Joliet, Illinois, 11 Feb. 1915, page 5).
When the World Fair opened, the Panama-Pacific attraction was located in the “Joy Zone” of the world fair. The “Peoples Easy Guide” described the attraction:
“Grand Canyon of Arizona
With an entrance like a typical railroad station of the Santa Fe in New Mexico,
where we can seat ourselves in the tiny electric trains and be conveyed over
mountain passes, through deserts and past villages till we reach the replica of
the Grand Canyon of Arizona. Here we will descend and visit the Indian Colony,
inspect the weaving of the Navajo blankets and the making of pottery and other
crafts by the Indians brought here for the purpose.”
To be continued…
