- Crystal Palace Barracks
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Western Fair Crystal Palace (seen from the pond) 1920
The Crystal Palace Barracks in London, Ontario was the site of the Provincial Exhibition in 1861. The site was chosen at the north end of the military garrison grounds at Wellington Street and Central Avenue. In 1867, the military built an octagonal Crystal Palace, an eight sided white brick building containing eight doors, one on each side. Forty-eight windows sided the second floor of the building.
Western Fair Race Track circa 1923 Crystal Palace in backgroundIn 1887, the Western Fair moved to its present location at Queen's Park. George Durand, in a competition, won the design for the new Main Exhibition Building, also known as the Crystal Palace. It borrowed many design features of Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace in London, England. It featured thirteen high circular arches and massive windows. At the same time, the Fair Board authorized the construction of one half mile of race track.
1923 Crystal Palace crowdThe Crystal Palace was painted in two shades of terra cotta and trimmed in green, brown, and red. The Fair Board felt the building symbolized industry and progress. The Western Fair Crystal Palace burned to the ground in January 1927. It was replaced with a red brick Confederation Building.
See also
External links
- WFA Official website
- A Celebration of Excellence: The history of the Western Fair Inge Sanmiya WFA
2000 ISBN 0-9687675-0-8
London, Ontario CTV Two London • Fanshawe College • Grand Theatre • Labatt Brewing Company • London Free Press • London International Airport • London Public Library • London Transit • Schools • Springbank Park • The University of Western Ontario • Victoria ParkBuildings Aeolian Hall • Crystal Palace Barracks • Eldon House • Masonville • Museum London • Museum of Ontario Archaeology • One London Place • St. Paul's Cathedral • St.Peter's Cathedral Basilica • Westmount • White OaksSports Boler Mountain • EBBA • Forest City Velodrome • John Labatt Centre • Labatt Memorial Park • London Ice House • London City • London Majors • London Knights • London Lightning • London Rippers • Norm Aldridge Field • TD Waterhouse Stadium • UWO Formula Racing • Western MustangsFestivals Home County Folk Festival • London Balloon Festival • London Fringe Theatre Festival • Hawk Rocks the Park • Sunfest • Western FairList of municipalities in Ontario Coordinates: 42°59′27″N 81°14′54″W / 42.99096°N 81.24834°W
Categories:- Buildings and structures in London, Ontario
- Barracks in Canada
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