Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/809



Exhibitions of mechanic arts and manufactured goods were started in Portland by Mr. H. D. Sanborn away back in the "seventies." Mr. Sanborn had been a successful merchant, and taking a lively interest in the city, induced Wm. Bunnell to lend the use of his building on Madison street for the first Mechanics' Fair. The building was 200 feet in length on Madison, from First to Front streets, and 50 feet wide, and had been erected for the purpose of a general market. It was afterward turned into a wholesale agricultural implement store, in which the former mayor of the city. Dr. J. A. Chapman, and the then acting mayor, W. S. Newbury, were the owners. Here was held the first Mechanics' Fair in Portland.

This first fair was a success, although the city was in its infancy; and as the idea was new, it attracted wide attendance from outside of the city. It was so much of a success that its promoters resolved to get more room, the very first opening day showing that the Bunnell building was too small. A number of the progressive citizens then decided to put the enterprise in a permanent shape, and on firm ground, by incorporating an association for that express purpose, of which Mr. Frank Dekum was president. The association leased the block which General Coffin and Colonel Chapman had given to the city for a market place, at an annual rent of one dollar; and then raised the money on a stock subscription, and erected the Mechanics' Pavilion, covering the whole block bounded by Second, Third, Gay and Market streets, at a cost of $16,500. Here the association held its annual fairs for ten years, renting the building between fairs for great political and other meetings. The enterprise was a success, and the stock in the association paid handsome annual dividends.

But as the city grew, the "old pavilion" was found to be too small to keep house for the annual fair, and it was decided to get still larger grounds and erect a grand exposition.

Accordingly the capital stock of the association was increased; two city blocks were purchased of Amos N. King at the corner of Washington, 19th and 20th streets, and the Exposition building recently destroyed by fire was erected, at a total cost for land and building of $150,000. Here very grand and successful fairs were held annually, from 1888 down to the organization of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition Association. But the larger exposition never paid dividends on stock like the old market block fairs.

It would be reasonably concluded that with this experience in expositions, the Portland people would have been ready to enthusiastically take hold of a great national event that would give the city a centennial exposition, based upon historical facts, second only to those of Philadelphia and Chicago. But Port-