Miscellaneous Photos

This is the Bridge Gate, one of the entrances to the Fair. The giant figures were built by Blaine Kern, a New Orleans artist who was well known for his float designs for Mardi Gras. Kern was also one of the financial backers behind the fair’s MART system, and his studio was located near the Algiers side of the system. The firm also contributed to the Wonderwall. (CD #1 Set 2 #30)

The other entrance, named the City Gate, was found on Poydras Street. Designed by Barth Brothers, Inc., a prominent Mardi Gras float building company, the City Gate generated a great deal of commentary – and controversy - due to the mostly naked mermaids on either side of the main entrance. The figures undoubtedly helped sell a great deal of extra film to visiting tourists who just had to share this experience with the folks back home. (CD #3 Set 6 #18)

The Wonderwall, which was used to block the otherwise unattractive buildings behind it, was a strange collection of unusual shapes and art elements. Stretching down the middle of South Front Street, which is now known as Convention Center Boulevard, this section of the Wonderwall does not look very substantial, but it was actually large enough to house a radio station which was located in the center of the photograph. (CD #1 Set 2 #29)

Many different art elements were set into the Wonderwall, including busts, urns, oversized peacocks and columns, arches and gazebos. Plants and fountains were interspersed to make the structure less formidable. (CD #3 Set 5 #26)