Pan-American Exposition

A century ago this week, the first of the great Pan-American Expositions closed. It had celebrated technology, imagination and diversity across America.

It was held in Buffalo, N.Y., then a busy and forward-thinking city. The streets were paved, the parks were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, it was the seat of splendid city planning. It was a magical place awash with light, for the nearby Niagara Falls electro-turbines were coming on line.

Electricity had begun to transform the world. Even so, there were vicious debates: Was it a commodity to be sold or was it a government service? Much discussion centered on diverting "God's natural wonder" of Niagara Falls to electrical power: Does Man dominate Nature, or is Man part of Nature?

These debates continue -- look at Waahila Ridge -- but remember that Buffalo's zenith was in 1901, and the city's light has faded since. The first Pan-American was a financial disaster, rife with racism and anarchist violence, and is best remembered as the place where President William McKinley was assassinated.

His killer was later executed -- by electricity.

Burl Burlingame

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