F I R S TP R E V807NEXTLAST

Early Morning Runner, Golden Gate Park
In 1894 San Francisco hosted the six-month long Midwinter International Exposition in its newly-built 1,000+ acre Golden Gate Park. The purpose of the exposition was to highlight California's temperate winter weather. Over 100 temporary buildings were erected in the 200-acre fairgrounds inside the park. Every county in the state, as well as twenty foreign countries had displays in the buildings. The centerpiece was the 266-foot Electric Tower, featuring the world's most powerful spotlight which revolved at the top. The successful Exposition attracted over 900,000 visitors during its run. One exhibit that didn't go as planned was the animal arena featuring 'man-eating lions.' True to the promotion, one lion did attack and kill a keeper during feeding time. However quick-thinking city fathers immediately worked an elaborate funeral into the Exposition's calendar.
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