Memory Stream Dipping into Philadelphia's illustrated past

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia held the Sesquicentennial International Exposition from June 1 to Dec. 1, 1926. During those six months, millions of visitors from around the world flocked to the South Philadelphia exposition grounds on what was then known as League Island Park (now Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, Marconi Plaza, and the sports stadiums). On July 5, President Calvin Coolidge addressed an estimated 200,000 visitors to officially open the exposition.

The Sesquicentennial Exposition featured rides, booths, speeches, sporting events, and exhibits to celebrate America's freedoms and achievements. One of the most impressive attractions was at the entrance - an 80-foot replica of the Liberty Bell that people, cars, and trucks passed under to enter the fair. By comparison, the Liberty Bell at Citizens Bank Park is 52 feet tall. The Exposition Bell was made of sheet metal and covered with almost 26,000 lightbulbs. (The real Liberty Bell remained at Independence Hall.)

Unfortunately, despite years of planning, the 1926 fair was financially unsuccessful. Rain and bad weather plagued more than half the fair days. To help finance the event, Congress had authorized the special issue of a million half-dollar coins with side-by-side portraits of George Washington and Coolidge. But coin sales were modest, and huge quantities were returned to be melted.