Omaha's Trans-Mississippi Exposition

Book excerpt: During the summer and early fall of 1898, Omaha, Nebraska, came alive with the sights and sounds of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Despite a drought, a difficult economy, and a declaration of war between the United States and Spain, over two and one-half million people gathered on the exposition grounds to celebrate fifty years of progress. This book documents the grand spectacle of the exposition through a remarkable collection of archival photographs, many of which were taken by official exposition photographer Frank A. Rinehart. In these pages, you will discover the architectural splendor and the abundant cultural and artistic achievements that have made Omaha's Trans-Mississippi Exposition a legendary event in American history.