Crystal Palace Barracks

The site was chosen at the north end of the military garrison grounds at Wellington Street and Central Avenue.

George Durand, in a competition, won the design for the new Main Exhibition Building, also known as the Crystal Palace.

It borrowed many design features of Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace in London, England.

At the same time, the Fair Board authorized the construction of one half mile of race track.

The Crystal Palace was painted in two shades of terra cotta and trimmed in green, brown, and red.