Union Station – St. Louis World’s Fair

This souvenir inkstand commemorates the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and features a detailed depiction of the Union Station. Made from a gilded white metal, the inkstand is a miniature architectural rendering of a grand transportation hub, showcasing its impressive façade with its arched entryway, numerous windows, and intricate architectural details.

To the rear of the train station, a combined pen holder and inkwell is integrated. Two ornate, curved arms rise upwards, creating a place to rest a pen.  Nestled beneath this pen rest is a clear glass inkwell with a fitted lid.

The base of the inkstand is rectangular and supported by four ornate paw feet. Along the edges of the base, the following inscriptions are visible: “St Louis Exposition 1904 – Union Station – The largest in the world – Cost $6,500,000.00.” Additionally, the inscription “Pat Appl for” indicates that the design of this souvenir was under patent application at the time of its creation.

The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition):

• Dates: Held from April 30 to December 1, 1904.
• Purpose: To commemorate the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase.
• Scale: One of the largest and most influential world’s fairs ever held in the United States. It covered a vast area of Forest Park in St. Louis.
• Themes: Showcased advancements in science, technology, manufacturing, and the arts from around the globe. It also included numerous international pavilions, cultural exhibits, and amusement areas (like the famous Pike).
• Impact: The fair had a significant cultural and architectural impact on St. Louis and the United States. It introduced many new foods and technologies to the American public. The layout and some of the remaining structures influenced the development of Forest Park.
• “Meet Me in St. Louis”: The fair is famously associated with the song “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis,” which captured the excitement surrounding the event.

St. Louis Union Station:

• Opening: Opened on September 1, 1894.
• Significance in 1904: By the time of the World’s Fair, Union Station was already a major transportation hub and a symbol of St. Louis’s importance as a gateway to the West. It would have handled a massive influx of visitors arriving for the fair.
• “Largest in the World”: At the time of its construction, and indeed in 1904, St. Louis Union Station was one of the largest and busiest passenger rail terminals in the world, a testament to the prominence of rail travel.
• Architectural Landmark: Designed by architect Theodore C. Link, it was renowned for its Romanesque Revival architecture, featuring a grand headhouse, a magnificent Grand Hall with its stained-glass window, and numerous train sheds.
• Cost: The $6,500,000 cost mentioned on the inkstand reflects the significant investment in this impressive infrastructure project.