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1904 Wabash Railroad RR St Louis Worlds Fair Main Entrance - Original Print Ad
~9 1/2\" x 6 1/2\"
This is a vintage advertisement for the Wabash Railroad, specifically promoting its service to the 1904 St. Louis World\'s Fair (also known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition). The advertisement, which appeared in the advertising section of The Review of Reviews magazine, highlights several key selling points for travelers:Key Promotional Features
Direct Access: It emphasizes that Wabash was the \"only line\" with tracks and an individual station located directly at the Main Entrance of the World\'s Fair grounds.
Convenience: The ad claims travelers would save \"much time and inconvenience\" by using their line compared to other railroads that did not have such direct access.
Exposition Guide: It offers a free \"complete guide to the Exposition,\" which included a map and information on reduced travel rates.
Historical Context
The Station: A temporary terminal was built specifically for the Fair along DeBaliviere Boulevard near Lindell Avenue. Today, the site of this former station is a park and residential area, though the former Wabash line now serves as the MetroLink light rail line.
Magnitude of the Fair: The 1904 World\'s Fair was one of the largest in history, drawing nearly 20 million visitors. The Wabash Railroad played a major role in handling ticketing and transportation for a large portion of these attendees.
Railroad Prominence: During this era, the Wabash was a significant inter-regional carrier serving the mid-central United States. It was also known for its \"Follow the Flag\" slogan, which can be seen on various other advertisements from the same period
