Saint Louis Exposition

[1] A site of 50 acres (200,000 m2) at the northwest corner of Grand Avenue and the Natural Bridge Plank Road was purchased by the Association.

There were displays of livestock, poultry, vegetables, grains, and the latest inventions in farm machinery, tools, household gadgets, etc.

In 1860, the grounds were made available to the public for picnics for a nominal fee, but the Fairs were soon interrupted during the Civil War for a few years, when the fairgrounds were used for military and training purposes.

Numerous other fairgrounds buildings of the association were taken over for officer's quarters, medical dispensaries, kitchens, and other military purposes.

This was replaced by a new pool in 1958 as part of the 1955 bond issue program, which also provided lighted ball diamonds and hard surface tennis courts.

At the corner of Grand and Natural Bridge, the facade of the old bear pits still guards the park's main entrance like a medieval castle and as a reminder of the glory days of the popular St. Louis Exposition.