1900 Gies Map of the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York

This is a 1900 Gies and Company map of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Buildings, exhibition galleries, walkways, and other attractions are identified throughout, including the Electricity Building, the Agriculture Building, and the U.S. Government Building. Extensive gardens occupy the lower portion of the map along with a large lake. Several lakes, fountains, and canals also adorn the exposition grounds. Today, the exposition is remembered as the location of the assassination of U.S. President William McKinley.

The Pan-American Exposition

The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair that took place from May 1, 1901 through November 2, 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won a fierce competition with Niagara Falls to host the exposition. Buffalo earned its victory because it was a bigger city (then the eighth largest city in the United States with a population of roughly 350,000 people) and it was better served by railroads. The exposition was lighted using alternating current and electricity generated twenty-five miles away at Niagara Falls.

The Assassination of U.S. President William McKinley

U.S. President William McKinley was assassinated by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while visiting the Temple of Music on September 6, 1901. The day before, President McKinley addressed a crowd on the exposition grounds. Ironically, technological developments that would likely have saved McKinley were present at the fair - but were not used. The newly developed X-ray machine was on display at the exposition, but doctors were reluctant to use the machine on the stricken president because feared side effects. Likewise, the exposition was brilliant with thousands of lightbulbs, but the operating room had only old oil lamps. Doctors reflected sunlight off a dull pan to illuminate the operating table. President McKinley died on September 14, eight days later, from gangrene caused by the bullet wounds.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Gies and Company and published by the Pan-American Exposition Company in 1900. We note two cataloged examples which are part of the collections at the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library and Harvard University. Four updated editions were subsequently published in 1901.