Archive for July 17th, 2009

I recently finished reading a book about an enormous building project; one that turned a somewhat desolate area into a wonderland.  Different sections of the huge park offered such an extraordinary variety of displays, shows, dining venues and recreation that it attracted visitors from all over the globe. 

People came both to be educated and entertained.  In one area, cultures from around the world were showcased;  in another, an amazing new amusement ride, different from anything ever seen before.  There were shows featuring popular personalities and an endless array of dining possibilities. 

The  grounds were glorious with beautiful landscaping and ongoing maintenance to keep them spotless.  Small boats glided across bodies of water, carrying delighted passengers from place to place.  Extravagant white buildings sparkled in the sunlight.  The forward-thinking planners utilized an infrastructure that featured advanced transportation, sanitary, and waste-handling systems.  Everyone who visited agreed that it was like stepping into another, more perfect world.  

It was the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893.  Thousands of men had worked to make real what many thought would never be more than a dream.  Amongst them was a carpenter named Elias Disney, who told many stories about his work in that magical place; stories that were not lost on his young son, Walt.