Rica and approved, and others, more economical, drawn by Architect James G. Hill, of Washington, D. C., following the indications of the engineer, Don Nicolás Chavarría, M., director of public works of Costa Rica, were adopted in their place. The contract for the construction was entered into between the chargé d'affaires, Mr. Calvo, and Messrs. Cass, Chapman & Co., of Chicago; but these gentlemen, on account of the pressure of time, were unable to finish their work before the 1st of May, the day on which the Exposition was inaugurated, The Costa Rican building was situated at the east end of the North pond, facing west, and the location was one of the best within the grounds. Across the North pond, which offered a most beautiful perspective, and within a distance to be fully appreciated, were the Illinois, Washington, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin buildings. To the right, were the galleries of Fine Arts, and on the left, the buildings of Guatemala and Brazil, while as a background, and not far distant, Lake Michigan murmured its praises to the efforts of mortal man. The building was Doric in style; 103 feet long by 60 feet wide, two stories and clerestory, making the full height 50 feet. On each side, there was a Doric portico 22 feet wide, supported by four large pilasters. On the west front, a spacious platform, with a handsome balustrade, adorned with beautiful stone urns brought from Costa Rica, led up to the main floor; and opposite this front entrance, broad double stairways led to the second, or gallery floor, supported by eighteen columns rising to the full height of the clerestory. The cornices, frieze molding, caps and bases, window casements, etc., were made of iron. The main walls were cemented, and all was painted in soft colors. The inside walls were plastered, and the walls and timber work were frescoed in a modest and becoming manner. The building was lighted by twenty large double casement windows in the first story, and ten large skylights in the roof of the clerestory, while on all sides of the latter, the windows were pivoted so that, when opened, they could afford perfect ventilation. Ample toilet rooms were provided on each floor. Over each main entrance to the building the national coat-of-arms of the Central American Republic in bold relief was placed and constituted a striking addition to the decorative part of the work. The building cost $20,000.* THE COSTA RICAN COMMISSION. When the products to be exhibited were ready, and all the necessary preparations in Chicago had been completed, the Government issued the following decree:† No. 112.] SAN JOSÉ, March 29, 1893. The President of the Republic has resolved to organize the Commission that is to represent Costa Rica in the approaching International Exposition of Chicago in the following form: President, Señor Don Manuel M. Peralta, E. E. and M. P., from Costa Rica at Washington. Secretary, Señor Don Joaquín Bernardo Calvo, Chargé d'Affaires of Costa Rica at Washington. Vice-President and Commissioner-General for Agriculture and Industry, Señor Don David J. Guzmán. Vice-Secretary and Commissioner for Archæology, Señor Don Anastasio Alfaro. Signed by the President. (Countersigned) VARGAS, M. The Commission did not meet in Chicago until about the middle of May, and during that period, Messrs. Calvo and Alfaro were in charge of the work; co-operating with them, was Dr. Francisco J. Rucavado, who afterward was also appointed commissioner. INSTALLATION. As to the interior of the pavilion, the plan generally adopted in the arrangement of museums was followed: A large hall surrounded by a gallery accessible by two staircases, placed one on each side of the eastern entrance of the pavilion, as has been said; handsome glass cases, containing natural and agricultural products, arranged in classified groups beneath the gallery on the main floor, in the center of which rose a high graceful pyramid, formed of minerals, having two others, composed of specimens of wood, placed on its sides. The foregoing description of the building appeared in the General Catalogue of the World's Columbian Exposition. La Gaceta, Diario Oficial, No. 74. March 30, 1893. |