Peter J. Weber
American, born Germany, 1863-1923
World's Columbian Exposition Elevated Electric Railroad Tower, Chicago, Illinois, Elevation
INV-1044
Peter J. Weber
American, born Germany, 1863-19231892
World's Columbian Exposition Elevated Electric Railroad Tower, Chicago, Illinois, Elevation
Peter J. Weber American, born Germany, 1863-1923 →architectural drawing
Date
1892
Medium
Graphite on tracing paper
Dimensions
53 × 41.3 cm (20 7/8 × 16 1/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Bertram A. Weber
Chicago hoped to surpass the 1889 Paris Exposition's Eiffel Tower with an even more remarkable one. Many suggestions were put forth, one of which was the plan drawn up by architect Peter Weber in 1892 for the Partello Tower Company. His proposal, reminiscent of the tower of Pisa, would rise 400 feet high with an electric railway following a spiral course to the top affording excellent views of the city. A full chime of beautifully toned bells was to be placed in the top of the tower. In the end no tower was built. Instead, Chicago’s great engineering contribution to the World’s Columbian Exposition will always be remembered as George Ferris's giant wheel.
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