Detroit International Exposition and Fair of 1889

The event was a grand showcase of Detroit's growing might, spotlighting its convenient transit hubs and booming production of everything from cast-iron stoves to pharmaceuticals.^[3] It offered a mix of technological demonstrations, fine art, and horse racing, complemented by international cuisines, an on-site brewery, and a variety of musical and stage acts.^[2]

The exposition covered 156 acres (0.6 km²) and featured over 300 structures, including pavilions, livestock stalls, and various dining venues. The Main Exposition Building, designed by Louis Kamper in an eclectic Victorian style, was a palace-like structure that featured a 20-story main tower and boasted 200,000 square feet of exhibition space.^[4] At the time, it was the largest building in the world built specifically for fairground purposes.^[4] The structures were demolished shortly after the exposition ended, and the grounds were sold in 1895 to the Solvay Process Company for industrial use.^[5]