Synopsis
Shot by an unknown filmmaker, this color silent home movie shows close up views of the Chicago Railroad Fair circa 1949. The Chicago Railroad Fair was an event organized to celebrate and commemorate 100 years of railroad history west of Chicago, Illinois. In addition, the Fair highlighted important eras in American history and technological growth. It was held in 1948 and 1949 along the shore of Lake Michigan and is often referred to as "the last great railroad fair" with 39 railroad companies participating. A few short years later, many of these same companies had merged or gone bankrupt, and passenger service became endangered by the rise of the automobile and the airplane. Opening: Chicago Railroad Fair of 1949. "Frontiers of Freedom" Pageant Entrance, highlighting the economic progress of our country, depicting transportation from 1815 to 1949. The presentation also covers 150+ years of American history. The show begins with men and women dressed as Pilgrims, looking down from the high stage (:14-1:37). Actors dressed as Native Americans wait as a boat (the Mayflower) stops and people dressed as Europeans exit and greet them. Native Americans perform a dance. People dressed as settler from the Colonial era walk, some are in a horse & buggy (1:38-2:56). Spanish conquistadores on horses, holding flags. Soldiers march, holding rifles, Revolutionary period costumes. A man in the distance (probably depicting George Washington) as another salutes him. Horse & buggy…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 21 minutes
- Collection
- Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Stock Footage