NYWF Construction Pix, March, 1964

You know I love the 1964 New York World's Fair (though I was really too young to see it in person). What a place! And I've been fortunate enough to get some scarce construction photos, in this case from March of 1964, mere weeks before the grand opening (which was on April 22nd)! 

We'll start with the look at the Austrian pavilion. The pavilion, fashioned from laminated Alpine spruce, is suspended 15 feet above the ground from three soaring A-shaped supports. Pretty cool, although I would have preferred birch. Spruce is the "poor man's birch", you would agree. To the right is the Solar Fountain: A central dome supports a 30-foot high column of water while a starburst circles around the dome. Wobbling jets of water surrounding the dome simulate the sun's gases. And the tall arched thingamabob behind that is art of the Johnson Wax pavilion, the arches supported a 500 seat theater in the shape of a large golden disk.

Here's a vintage postcard view.

Here's the Japan pavilion, looking very much like a large house. Maybe that's why it eventually said "House of Japan" on the outside. The pavilion buildings combine the graceful architecture of ancient Japan with contemporary designs. Rockets for space research, model trains and tea ceremonies, and an array of consumer products are part of a presentation which emphasizes the differences between the new Japan and the old. Side by side with some of the world's most advanced microscopes, cameras, automobiles and industrial machines are charming evidences of the quiet, cultured but totally nonindustrial Japan of only 100 years ago.

Here's one of my own slides so that you can see how it looked when completed.

Over on the shore of Meadow Lake was a replica of Christopher Columbus's ship, the Santa Maria. And while the ship itself had not yet been delivered, we can see part of what was known as the "Spanish Pier". From the guidebook: A full-sized replica of the flagship of Christopher Columbus' discovery fleet is moored at the end of a 15th Century-style floating Spanish wharf. Termed by the exhibitors "Space Ship - 1492," this Santa Maria is the product of a distinguished intercontinental collaboration that insured authenticity.

Here's a second view. I guess I should have tried to merge the two images, but I am too lazy, and kind of itchy too. I wish I had some ointment. Across the water, construction for the Amphitheater, which had been part of the Billy Rose Aquacade during the 1939/40 Fair. It was refurbished for 1964, a show called "Wonder World" was performed there. It was a tremendous flop.

The only halfway decent photo of the Santa Maria at the completed Fair that I could find is one from World's Fair scholar/expert Bill Cotter, who has thousands and thousands of incredible photos from that Fair, as well as others. You should check out his website if you are interested!

I had this next photo in my own collection, but it leaves a lot to be desired.

I hope you have enjoyed these rare construction views from the 1964 New York World's Fair.