Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1895 — HISTORIC VIENNA. [ARTICLE]

HISTORIC VIENNA.

Midway Attraction to Be Reproduced on a Gigantic Scale. Visitors to the World's fair will recall with vivid pleasure Old Vienna, one of the most interesting attractions of the Midway Plaisance. Its unique structures, original interior, charming music ahd attractive environments made an impression on the mind of those who saw it that can only be effaced when the memories of the White City are no more. But this one attraction at least is to be something more than a memory, for if the plans of several Chicago’s most prominent citizens are carried out, it will be preserved in enduring form. It is proposed, to erect a mammoth structure, somewhat similar in design to Old \ ienna, but far surpassing it in grandeur and the immensity of its proportions. The plans have all been drawn by the architect and designers of the M orld’s Fair and if their ideas are carried out Chicago will have the most unique structure in the world. It will be known as Historic Vienna, and will be located on North Clark and Locust streets, having a frontage of 277 feet on

the former ahd 171 feet on the latter. The architecture will be the renaissance, mingled with the old German, as in vogue in Vienna ami along the Danube. The greatest feature of the new project will be an immense auditorium, capable of seating 12,000 people. It will resemble the Royal Albert Hall, London, but will seat 4,000 more persons. It will easily be the biggest and grandest auditorium in the world. The other parts of the building will contain, among other things, 13 stores, a model hotel, with 120 apartments and 40 single rooms; library and reading-room, having the leading dailies of the world; billiard rooms, bowling alleys; a veritable 1 ienna case in all its details; restaurants, with a celebrated European chef in charge of the cuisine; a typical “Old German Wein Koller” and “Bier Stube.” In addition there will be bazars of different nations, museums, panopticum, “laughing-room,” ball-rooms, banquet halls, private supper apartments, halls for lodges and meetings, and last, but not least, the entree to the boxes will lead from Locust street through a permanent winter palm garden. Music, and that of the very highest type, will constitute the prime attraction of the "Historic Vienna.” In its walls will be rendered daily music a la Theodore Thomas, diversified by that of Strauss. In connection therewith a conservatory of music will be established. Arrangements will be consummated to provide free Sunday sermons by the most eminent divines that can be sectX'sd making “Historic Vienna” a veritable people's church. Education w-ii be fostered. Lectures will be delivered on general education, history, civil government, manual training, kindergarten work and kindred subjects, all by men of national and international fame. This work will be exemplified, pictorially, at festivals. A special feature will be to make “Historic Vienna” the favorite resort of the children and the student world of Chicago, where education can be obtained in its truest sense. Ladies will find much to attract them. Passing through a palm garden of choicest plants and flowers, they will find bazars containing the work of women of every nation. At regular intervals grand balls, concerts, and festivals will be given for sweet charity. It will make Chicago the permanent city of national conventions and international congresses, as no other structure in the country can compare with it as a place for holding such assemblages. It will also aid in making the Windy City the leading center for music, art and education in the United States.