An engaging pictorial history that explores the triumphs and tragedies of a historic exposition hosted in Buffalo a century ago. About 330 vintage photographs, postcards and sketches are paired with an informative text by Thomas Leary and Elizabeth Sholes. They worked with the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society and Arcadia Publishing to create a unique snapshot of a prospering region at turn of the century.

"A marvelous recounting of the 1901 World’s Fair. Every chapter sparkles…The Buffalo-Niagara Falls extravaganza comes alive in these pages. Highly recommended!" —Douglas Brinkley, author of American Moonshot The Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, dazzled with its new rainbow-colored electric lights. It showcased an array of wonders, like daredevils attempting to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, or the "Animal King" putting the smallest woman in the world and also terrifying animals on display. But the thrill-seeking spectators little suspected that an assassin walked the fairgrounds, waiting for President William McKinley to arrive. In Margaret Creighton’s hands, the result is "a persuasive case that the fair was a microcosm of some momentous facets of the United States, good and bad, at the onset of the American Century" (Howard Schneider, Wall Street Journal).

On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley held a public reception at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. In the receiving line, holding a gun concealed by a handkerchief, was Leon Czolgosz, a young man with anarchist leanings. When he reached McKinley, Czolgosz fired two shots, one of which would prove fatal. The backdrop of the assassination was among the largest of many world's fairs held in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Exposition celebrated American progress, highlighting the new technology electricity. Over 100,000 light bulbs outlined the Exposition's building--on display inside were the latest inventions utilizing the new power source. This new treatment of the McKinley assassination is the first to focus on the compelling story of the Exposition: its labor and construction challenges; the garish Midway; the fight for inclusion of an accurate African-American display to offset racist elements of the Midway; and the impressive exhibit halls.

1901 Buffalo World's Fair: The Pan-American Exposition in PhotographsCelebrate the turn of the century, triumph, tragedy, and the rise of American industry at one of the all-time spectacular World's Fairs in the city of Buffalo.Electricity, art, architecture, science, and industry ruled the day in 1901 as the United States, and the world marveled at the rise of the newest superpower in "The Rainbow City," as it was called because of the multicolored buildings and festive lighting displays. Though the assassination of President William McKinley, in the Temple of Music, cast a dark cloud over the event and remains the Fair's most notable occurrence, its beautiful buildings, lighting effects, and elegant lagoons remain a vivid memory thanks to the miracle of photography.The Pan-American Exposition covered 350 acres in the City of Buffalo and played host to roughly 8 million people between May 1st and November 2nd, 1901. Built to celebrate American military superiority and technological accomplishments, visitors marveled at elaborate temporary structures such as the illuminated Tower of Light, The Triumphal Bridge, Pergola, Court of Fountains, Ethnology Building, Midway, and countless sculptures from the best artists of the day.This informative guide to Fair includes hundreds of photographs, many rare. A detailed map guides readers through the fairgrounds as a visitor might have a century ago to marvel at the picturesque scenery, lavish waterways, and festive Midway built to arouse the senses intrigue the mind. Written and designed by World's Fair historian and writer, Mark Bussler, author of 1939 New York World's Fair: The World of Tomorrow in Photographs, 1904 St. Louis World's Fair: The Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Photographs, Magnum Skywolf, 80s Comics: Ultimate 1980s Comic Book Review Guide, The White City of Color, and The 1893 World's Fair Ultra Massive Photographic Adventure series. Mark Bussler is also the director of Expo Magic of the White City, narrated by Gene Wilder, Westinghouse, and Horses of Gettysburg.