Sub-Tropical Exposition
The Sub-Tropical Exposition was held from January until May 1888 in Jacksonville, Florida[1] and seasonally in two subsequent years. Grover Cleveland attended the opening. The exposition building was designed by Ellis & McClure. A brochure was published for the event including railroad information, fruit crops, a note on strawberries, flowers, and hotels.[2]
![](../I/US-FL(1891)_p173_JACKSONVILLE%252C_FLORIDA_SUB-TROPICAL_EXPOSITION.jpg.webp)
A yellow-fever epidemic hurt tourism in the years after the exposition opened. A fire damaged the expansive exposition building in 1891 and it never reopened.[3] The building was torn down in 1897.[4] A resorvoir took its place.[3]
Exhibits of agricultural and horticultural offerings included fruits, trees, flowers, farm crops and grasses. There was a Zoological Collection, an aquarium, sugar mills, cotton gins and other machinery, as well as a Seminole Indian style camp. Hotels, Florida towns, and railway routes also featured.[5]
A 47 page brochure was printed by DaCosta Printing and Publishing for the exposition.[6] Harper's Weekly published illustrations from the fair in 1888. O. Pierre Havens published a cabinet photo of the bamboo building at the exposition.
References
- "The Subtropical Exposition". The New York Times. January 30, 1889.
- "Florida, Sub-Tropical Exposition, Jacksonville, Fla.: January to May 1888 | palmm.digital.flvc.org". palmm.digital.flvc.org.
- Jaxson, The. "6 Places Jacksonville Should Have Saved". www.thejaxsonmag.com.
- "Back in Time: The Subtropical Exposition".
- Strickland, Sandy. "Call Box: President Cleveland visited exposition in coach drawn by six black horses". The Florida Times-Union.
- "Florida, Sub-tropical Exposition, Jacksonville, Fla., January to May 1888: The Grandest Display Ever Made of the Products and Resources of Florida and the West Indies. Fruits, Flowers, Trees, Plants, Farm Products, Animals, Etc. A Superb Art Gallery, Fine Music, Seminole Indian Camp, County Displays, and Many Other Attractions". DaCosta Printing and Publishing House. March 2, 1888 – via Google Books.