No matter where you are on these grounds, you can always hear 2 sounds: the sound of water from the fountains or the thunder from the Electric tower’s cataract, and band music. And from time to time, you’ll hear other sounds, too: the popcorn boy hawking his wares; the foghorn of the U.S. Government exhibit, the rhythmic tramping feet of the Exposition police or some visiting military unit as they drill, the sprinkler wagon, wetting down the gravel walkways, its horse jingling in his harness.

The band stands are also ‘loud’ in their coloration. There is a little ivory color used on the posts and railing, but the roof is green, the arches red, and the ceiling sky blue. Gold is used as a trim.

21st century people may be interested in the tiny towers near the western horizon – they are the H.H. Richardson-designed twin towers of what was then officially called the “State Insane Asylum”, home to 1,100 patients in 1901.

John Philip Sousa and his band will be here next month. He will introduce the march he has composed especially for the Pan-American exposition, the ‘Invincible Eagle.’ Click here to listen to an an excerpt.