lter Warder, W.L. Mounts, T.K. Condit, William J. Moxley.

The advantage of nearness to the seat of the World's Fair which made
possible the great displays of Missouri was enjoyed and made use of
almost as fully by the sister State of Illinois. In every department of
the exposition the great resources of Illinois were shown.

The State House was, with possibly two exceptions, the most pretentious
of all the State buildings, and certainly its location was the most
commanding. From the intramural cars this great white structure, with
its generous verandas and its wealth of ornament, could be seen at
several points. It was not on the Plateau of States, but was the
important member of another State group on The Trail, directly west of
the Cascade Gardens. Across the way were the beautiful gardens of Japan,
and the Lincoln Museum was directly north.

The building was designed along the lines of the French renaissance, but
it was entirely modern in treatment. For instance, in the relief
ornament of frieze and cornice the fleur-de-lis was replaced by the ear
of corn motif. This was Illinois renaissance and was something more than
cut and dried ornament. It was symbolic of the State.

The two great statues that greeted the visitor were those of Lincoln and
Douglas. The grand central reception hall was done in tones of ivory,
green, and gold, with floor of tile. The medallion center of the tile
was the great seal of the State. At one side of the broad staircase was
a raised platform, on which stood a grand piano. The elevated apartment
served as a reception and music room.

Opening from the great hall were reading rooms, rest rooms, and the
office of the commission. On the floor above were the suites of
apartments for the governor, the commissioners, and the officers of the
building. The wives of the commissioners served as hostesses, each doing
the honors for a period of ten days at a time.

One of the most noteworthy features of the Illinois State Home was its
verandas. From these every part of the exposition grounds could be seen,
and the night view was especially glorious. The building was designed by
Illinois architects, erected by Illinois labor, and furnished, for the
most part, by Illinois firms. Hence it was really an expression of the
State it represented. Its cost was $90,000.

Aside from the State House, the most remarkable exhibits of the State
were those in the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy and the Palace of