When someone asks, "What year was the Chicago World's Fair?" they're usually looking for one specific date. But here's the kicker: Chicago actually hosted two massive, world-altering fairs.
The first, and most famous, was the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
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The second was the Century of Progress International Exposition in 1933-1934.
If you're thinking of the one with the "White City," the Ferris Wheel, and the creepy serial killer H.H. Holmes lurking in the background, you're definitely thinking of 1893. If you’re thinking of Art Deco buildings, neon lights, and a desperate attempt to forget the Great Depression, that's 1933.
Both changed Chicago—and the world—in ways we still feel every time we use a zipper or eat a snack.
What Year Was the Chicago World's Fair That Changed Everything?
Honestly, 1893 was the big one. It was supposed to happen in 1892 to mark the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas. Government red tape and construction delays pushed the opening to May 1, 1893.
Chicago beat out New York City, D.C., and St. Louis for the hosting rights. At the time, the world thought Chicago was just a muddy "Porkopolis" known for meatpacking. The city had burned to the ground only 22 years earlier in the Great Chicago Fire.
The fair was Chicago’s "I’ve arrived" moment.
Architect Daniel Burnham and landscape genius Frederick Law Olmsted (the guy who did Central Park) turned a swampy mess of South Side land into a neoclassical dreamscape. They called it the White City. Why? Because the buildings were coated in a mix of plaster and hemp fiber called "staff" and then spray-painted white.
Funny enough, the "spray paint" was actually invented right there on-site because they were running out of time to hand-paint everything.
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The Inventions You Use Every Day
You've probably used something today that debuted or gained its fame at the 1893 fair. It’s wild to think about.
- The Ferris Wheel: This was Chicago's answer to the Eiffel Tower. George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. built a wheel 250 feet high that could hold 2,160 people at once. It didn't just spin; it had lunch cars.
- Juicy Fruit Gum: William Wrigley Jr. was originally a soap salesman who gave away gum as a perk. It became so popular at the fair he switched industries.
- The Zipper: Whitcomb Judson showed off a "clasp locker." It was clunky and didn't really work well yet, but the seed was planted.
- Cracker Jack: The mixture of popcorn, peanuts, and molasses was a massive hit on the Midway.
- Pabst Blue Ribbon: They won the blue ribbon for best beer at the fair. They liked the title so much they literally changed the name of the beer to PBR.
The Dark Side of the White City
We can't talk about what year was the Chicago World's Fair without mentioning the shadows. While 27 million people were marveled by the "City of Tomorrow," a man named H.H. Holmes was running a "Murder Castle" just blocks away.
He used the fair's influx of tourists—specifically young women looking for work—as his prey. It’s a grisly contrast to the pristine white buildings and the invention of the dishwasher.
There was also the "Midway Plaisance." This was the birthplace of the modern amusement park, but it was also deeply problematic. It featured "ethnological villages" where people from around the world were basically put on display like museum exhibits. It was a peak example of the Victorian era's racial hierarchies and "scientific" racism.
The Second Act: 1933 and the Rainbow City
Fast forward 40 years. Chicago is 100 years old. The world is broke.
The 1933-1934 Century of Progress fair was the polar opposite of the 1893 version. Instead of white, neoclassical temples, the buildings were neon-colored, sharp-edged, and futuristic. They called it the Rainbow City.
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This fair was about science and industry. The motto was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms." Sorta sounds like a dystopian movie, right?
But for people living through the Depression, it was pure hope. You could see "Homes of Tomorrow" with air conditioning and dishwashers. You could watch a "streamlined" train or see the Graf Zeppelin land.
Unlike the 1893 fair, which relied on government money, the 1933 fair was privately funded. It was so successful that they actually turned a profit and extended it through 1834.
What’s Left Today?
Most of these fairs were built to be temporary. They were basically made of plywood and plaster. When the 1893 fair ended, a series of fires (some likely arson) leveled most of the White City.
However, you can still visit two major remnants:
- The Museum of Science and Industry: This was the Palace of Fine Arts in 1893. Because it held priceless art, it was built with a brick substructure, which is why it didn't burn down.
- The Art Institute of Chicago: The main building on Michigan Avenue was built specifically for the 1893 World’s Congress Auxiliary.
For the 1933 fair, things are scarcer. Most of it was on Northerly Island. If you go to the Adler Planetarium or the Museum Campus, you're walking on the grounds of that second great fair.
Why Does the Year Matter?
Knowing what year was the Chicago World's Fair helps you understand the shift in American identity.
In 1893, America was trying to prove it was as "cultured" as Europe. We built Roman temples and showed off fine art.
By 1933, we didn't care about Europe’s past. We were obsessed with the American future—speed, electricity, and consumerism.
If you want to dive deeper into the 1893 fair, read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It’s non-fiction but reads like a thriller. For the 1933 fair, check out the archives at the Chicago History Museum; they have incredible color photos of the neon "Rainbow City" that make 1930s Chicago look like a scene from Tron.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Visit Jackson Park: Walk the Wooded Island and the Garden of the Phoenix. It’s the heart of the 1893 fairgrounds and still has a surreal, quiet energy.
- Explore the MSI: Go to the Museum of Science and Industry not just for the coal mine, but to look at the architecture. It's the last true "White City" building standing in its original spot.
- Check the Flag: Look at the Chicago city flag. The four red stars represent major events. The second star is for the 1893 fair, and the third star is for the 1933 fair. Now you’ve got a great trivia fact for your next trip to the Windy City.