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Super Party of Fast Food
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1904 St. Louis World’s Fair – Louisiana Purchase Exposition
On the opening day in May, the president of the Fair yelled out:
“Open ye gates; swing wide, ye portals!”
It was the 1904 St. Louis Exposition World’s Fair, where the country was introduced to the most amazing inventions and new foods for that time. Imagine 80 snack concession stands, 35 fashionable restaurants, and 20,000,000 visitors. It was a turning point for American food and the birth of Fast Food with a simple, easy style. Communications and transportation were in their infancy at this time in history.
There were over 1500 buildings spread out over 1300 acres and required back-breaking work from over 10,000 laborers. Lasting for seven months, the event delighted guests with displays of the latest in technology, fine art, manufacturing, science, and education. Exhibits from 50 foreign countries and 43 of the 45 states packed the buildings and grounds.
The St. Louis World Fair gave people an opportunity to experience what was happening in other parts of the United States and the world. Foods at that time were usually produced and shared within compact local areas. This Fair opened up the world, presented new technology, inventive ideas, new food experiences, new business opportunities, and literally changed the nation.
Visitors returned to their homes full of exciting stories about their experiences. “Guess what I had at the Fair,” conversation spread the word. There was no stopping the demand for these products and new inventions. Everything was changing.
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Ice Cream Cone Makes Debut at 1904 St. Louis Fair
For people at that time, eating while walking up and down streets was regarded as bad-mannered and impolite. But at the Fair, it was a “grab and go” food and everyone loved it. In hand foods led the way with ice cream being served in a waffle cone.
There were many stories about the cone’s use. The most popular legend has it that an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes for his ice cream and asked a pastry maker to roll up some waffles that he could use for his ice cream. Other vendors quickly followed. It is impossible to prove these events, but most experts agree that this probably happened at the 1904 World’s Fair. After the Fair, ice cream cones became a popular dessert and the crunchy cone was perfect as a carry-along while spreading across the nation and probably the world.
Butterscotch Roasted Apple Ice Cream
Butterscotch Roasted Apple Ice Cream in a Waffle Cone
About this Recipe: The interesting butterscotch flavor is created by the use of apples with caramelized condensed milk. Drizzle with additional butterscotch or caramel topping as desired. The salted peanuts enhance the sweet flavor with a salty edge. This ice cream is very rich and pairs well with baked apple pie. The best part is that it uses a regular mixer and doesn’t need a special ice cream maker for its preparation
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Hamburger as a Sandwich Makes Debut at 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
Ground meat was certainly cooked in patties before the 1904 Fair. There are several stories about people putting them between two slices of bread. In fact the name Hamburger most likely originated from a connection to Germany and the city of Hamburg.
However, the burger really became a popular sandwich at the 1904 Fair. One story is that Fletcher Davis cooked some raw hamburger steak on a flat top, placed it between two slices of toast, and garnished it with a big onion slice. He sold this sandwich at his concession stand on the Pike (The midway at the fair).
Look around now and you can see that burgers are here to stay.
The Convertible Burger
1904 St. Louis World’s Fair Inspired Hamburger in a Bun
About the Recipe: This is a neat burger to serve as all the goodies are tucked inside the toasty bun. It uses a smaller amount of meat and bread, for a healthier burger size. It converts easily into your favorite flavors. The old burger just turned new. It’s so Convertible!
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Connecticut’s Official State Building at 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
Connecticut Official State Building at the 1904 St Louis World’s Fair –Photo Credit: http://atthefair.homestead.com/States/Connecticut.html
It represented a luxurious colonial home of a Connecticut gentleman from the nineteenth century. The building was filled with period woodwork and designed to accommodate 12 to 15 residents.
Placed back from the street, there were circular walks and flower gardens in front. It was about 80 x 88 feet and erected at a cost of 31,000 dollars. Inside the home, there was a chair that came over from the Mayflower and another one that George Washington used. Designs of silk tapestry hung on the first floor and upper hall. However, one of the feature items was the reception hall frame carved from the trunk of the original Charter Oak. It was one of the best-built buildings at the Exposition.
The mansion was designed and built to be moved after the World’s Fair. It was purchase at auction, dismantled and moved to Lafayette, Indiana, immediately after the Fair by Mr. and Mrs. William Potter and became their personal residence. There are only 15 known buildings surviving from the Fair, and the Connecticut House/Haan Mansion is most true to its original design and purpose of the 13 buildings removed from the grounds.
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Haan Museum of Indiana Art
The Original Connecticut House of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair was relocated to Lafayette, Indiana – Now Stands in 2017 as the “Haan Museum of Indiana Art”
The mansion has three above ground floors and a full basement totaling 15,000 square feet. It also includes seven fireplaces and 4 1/2 baths.
For More Information See:
http://atthefair.homestead.com/States/Connecticut.html
http://haanmuseum.org/Museum.aspx
For museum information and tours see:
http://haanmuseum.org/ToursAndEvents.aspx
When we visited the Haan Museum, it was decorated for the holidays with Christmas trees in almost every room. We felt very fortunate to get to chat with Ellie Haan cofounder of the Museum, whose family lived in the residence for 31 years. She showed us some of the priceless items that actually were at the St. Louis Exposition and agreed to share this information with all of you.
Interior of Haan Museum with Unique Architectural Feature of an Oval Opening Between the two Main Floors – Enhancing Heating of the Building and Communication amongst its Occupants
Haan Museum Decorated with the Christmas Spirit for the 2017 Holidays
Ellie Haan – Cofounder of the “Haan Museum of Indiana Art”
Bob and Ellie Haan are co founders of the Haan Museum of Indiana Art. Prominently featuring, Indiana artists in both paintings and pottery. The building also houses many antiques pieces of furniture of early American heritagel
Link to Ellie Haan Interview Concerning History of the Haan Museum Building
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A Turning Point for American Foods
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Marbleized Puffy Rice ‘n Peanut Butter Squares
Puffed Rice is Born: Alexander Anderson, a University assistant botany professor and researcher, discovered how to ‘pop’ starch foods with high pressure and steam. He went on to invent a “puffing cannon.” He used this to enhance starch materials and enhance their nutritive value. He debuted at the 1904 World’s Fair at a concession stand with this new confection. In 1904, Quaker introduced the cereal to the mass public by shooting Puffed Rice from cannons at the World’s Fair
Also, at the 1904 World Fair, C. H Sumner introduced peanut butter to the fair goers. He sold 705.11 dollars of this treat at his concession stand. After this event, ;the demand for soft or crunchy peanut butter spread across the nation and even developed a loving relationship with jelly.
Marbleized Puffy Rice ‘n Peanut Butter Squares Inspired by Puffed Rice which Debuted at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
About the Recipe: Crispy rice cereal dessert squares are popular with both young and old. Sweet butter enhanced melted marshmallows bind the crunchy plain and chocolate rice cereal that’s flavored with peanut butter. What better combo could one have! Chocolate crunch and peanut butter makes a great sweet snack
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Sparkling Polar Puffs
Sparkling Powder
About the Recipe: Polar Puff cookies taste like white chocolate vanilla sugar cookies. The cereal creates a crispy texture and small snowball puffs within the cookies. These are a perfect addition to your winter holiday menu.
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Deli Cold Cut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
French’s Creamy Mustard is Introduced: It’s hard to realize that French’s Mustard has been an ingredient that most of us have tucked in our refrigerator, just waiting to add that great flavor to our favorite dish. This classic yellow mustard, invented in 1904 and introduced by George and Francis French at the St. Louis World’s Fair. With lots of hot dogs there, “it was love at first bite.”
Deli Cold Cut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Inspire by the Debut of French’s Cream Style Mustard at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
About the Recipe: The salad dressing can be prepared ahead of time, covered and stored in the refrigerator. This is a salad main dish that can be mixed with your favorite salad ingredients. It is light, refreshing, and so delicious.
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Sonoran Hot Dogos
Hot Dogs are Married to a Bun: It’s documented in historical records that sausages using various meats played an important role in German food in the 1600’s. In fact, curing the 1860’s Charles Feltman, a German butcher, sold a hot dog type sandwich on the streets of New York City, accompanied with milk, rolls, and sauerkraut.
However, one story tells us that the hot dog was popularized at the 1904 Fair when Antoine put some of his sausages on a long split bun that fit around the sausages. No matter who or how it came to be, it has been popular ever since.
Sonoran Hot Dogos Inspired by Hot Dogs in a Bun which Debuted at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
About the Recipe: The hot dog in a bun became popular at the 1904 World Fair but it’s twice as popular now with this spicy ingredient twist. Popular in the Southwest, the crusty bun is jammed packed with refried beans, spicy peppers, and Mexican blended cheeses that adorn the bacon wrapped beef frank, topped with salsa verde, mustard, and zigzags of crema. The best just became better!
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Dr. Pepper Meatballs
Dr Pepper is Introduced to the Nation: It is said that in 1855, a pharmacist Charles Alderton, wanted to make a fruit drink. He used about 23 ingredients for his beverage. The owner of the store, W.B. Morrison named it Dr. Pepper. It was so popular that they needed to increase their supply. After consulting with Robert S. Lazenby, the owner of the Circle “A” Ginger Ale Company in Waco, Texas, it was decided that Morrison and Lazenby would form a company that become Dr Pepper.
It’s interesting to note that Dr Pepper Company is the oldest manufacturer of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States. The company introduced Dr. Pepper in 1904 at the World’s Fair to 20 million people and became a national brand.
Dr Pepper Meatballs
About the Recipe: In this inspired recipe, we added sriracha chili sauce for a spicy flavored meatball and sauce. The recipe is great for serving as an appetizer or even as a main course. The sauce could also be used with shredded pork or chicken for delicious sandwiches
Dr Pepper Meatballs Served over Spaghetti Squash as a Main Dish
To Prepare as a Main Course: Double the sauce ingredients. We served this with sautéed onions and mushrooms and also prepared spaghetti squash, which was served with the additional sauce.
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Spiced Tea Ice Cubes
Ice Tea is Introduced to the Masses during a Summer Heat Wave: Iced Tea wasn’t a new idea and even the early newspapers had stories that showed it being served at Confederate veteran parties and dining groups. It was also served at the 1904 Fair.
An interesting story was retold about an Englishman, Richard Blechynden, who had trouble selling his hot tea on this sweltering day.With a large ice plant operating at the fair, he decided to add ice to the tea and the popularity of this cool drink made it a real American classic, especially in the deep south.
Spiced Tea Ice Cube Drink Popularized by Ice Tea as Sold at 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
About the Recipe: It’s time to spice up your life! Plain ice cubes water down drinks. To enhance the flavor of your favorite beverage, add spiced ice tea cubes. While keeping your drink chilled, it adds a spicy sweet edge and refreshing fruit tea flavors.
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Fork and Finger Club Sandwiches
Club Sandwiches are a Popular Item at the Fair: Since this sandwich was served at various resorts and country clubs, it was tagged with this name. We even found that a recipe for the sandwich was listed in the 1903 Good Housekeeping Everyday Cook Book.
There is no doubt that the 1904 St. Louis Exposition helped to popularize this sandwich. Four different restaurants served some type of club sandwich. It is also said that a St. Louis restaurateur Tony Faust created the club sandwich on the Pike in 1904. It seemed that everyone loved the new high styled sandwich.
Club Sandwiches were Popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
About the Recipe: Club sandwiches are still popular faire. This sandwich is perfect for breakfast as well as for brunch. Thick waffles will produce four generous servings. Ham, smoked turkey, mild cheese, and bacon add a hearty taste to the peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce. It’s fun and delicious to serve maple syrup for some sandwich dipping. Use a fork or your fingers to enjoy this special waffle club sandwich.
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Honey Sweet ‘n Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Susan Tyson Rorer Teaches the Masses: 75 books and pamphlets were authored by Susan Tyson Rorer and she headed a Model Restaurant at the Fair that seated 1,200 people. Her World’s Fair Souvenir Cook Book, sold for 50 cents, and was written to point out the simple and easy way to cook. It’s written in simple paragraph form without a list of ingredients, exact directions, or baking temperatures. Her culinary efforts changed the life and behavior of home cooks.
For More Information See:
https://atthefair.homestead.com/Misc/MrsRorercookbook.html
Honey Sweet ‘n Soft Gingerbread Cookies
About the Recipe: The 1904 World Fair Cookbook featured several gingerbread favorites, crispy and soft. This simple gingerbread cookie has a soft cake-like texture with mild holiday gingerbread flavor. A lemon almond glaze decorates the top, adding a sweet note. For a holiday garnish, add some colorful sprinkles.
Mrs ST Rorer’s World’s Fair Cook Book —Photo Credit: http://atthefair.homestead.com/Misc/MrsRorercookbook.html
Link to Mrs ST Rorer’s World’s Fair Cook Book
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Popping Popcorn – Your Way
Popcorn is Popularized at the Fair: St. Louis local- C.A. Windmueller had a staff of 100 and many booths to sell his popcorn. (To meet the demand, he built a 10,000 dollar popcorn factory on the Pike at the fair.
Flavored Popcorn was Popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
About the Recipe: Great popcorn is a blank canvas that you can create into your favorite snacking flavor bomb. The only problem is that you will probably eat up the entire bowl. That’s OK – it’s only a small batch, gluten free, and non GMO.
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Cotton Candy Mini Cake Cookies
Cotton Candy is Introduced to the Masses: Around 1897, Nashville candy makers William Morrison and John C. Wharton patented an electric cotton candy machine, which would spin and melt sugar into a delicious candy producing large amounts very quickly.
They traveled to the 1904 World Fair and sold 68,655 boxes of their unique treat to fascinated visitors. At 25 cents a box, they cleared $17,163.75.
Even today, cotton candy is the exciting sweet treat sold at various public events and even used in recipes at home.
Cotton Candy Mini Cake Cookies
About the Recipe: It’s time to celebrate! These cake-like vanilla cookies are topped with a coating of pink or blue sugar. To add a festive party touch, each cookie is decorated with a puff of colorful cotton candy before serving. What fun! We are sure glad that the 1904 World Fair introduced everyone to an easy way to make cotton candy.
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Just For Fun
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Hot Cocoa into the Cotton Candy
Hot Cocoa- Ready to be Poured into Cotton Candy Filled Cup
Fill your favorite cup with colorful cotton candy. Prepare some hot cocoa.
Pour it into the cup and see what happens…………it’s holiday Magic…
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Happy Holidays at the Haan Museum
Happy Holidays at the Haan Museum
Sleigh Ride at the Haan Museum
Electric Trains at the Haan Museum
Take your family to visit the “Haan Museum of Indiana Art” in Lafayette, Indiana
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Santa Interview from the North Pole
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