I found your site by accident today and just had to respond. I was
lucky enough to be employed by one of the subcontractors working on the
Expo site, Kehne-Crabtree Electric Company, which used to be located on
East Riverside near Freya. As an employee, I was able to make many
trips to the site during the construction phase. Our company worked on
several pavilions there, including the Korean Pavilion. We were able to
tour the Russian pavilion before the fair officially opened, and believe
me, this was a privilege as I was only the receptionist and unofficial
'gofer' for the company. The people, the smells and the excitement are
still with me today - I even still have my season ID pass. I was
fortunate enough to be at the Seattle World's Fair and then to be
involved in Expo—memories that will never dim for me!
—dwandak
I served in the senior management of Expo 74 as Director of Site Development,
Vice President of Operations and Director of Redevelopment. I have many fond
memories of that great exposition. I also served at Century 21 in Seattle,
Expo 82 in Knoxville, Tennessee; Expo 84 in New Orleans and Expo 86 where I
was Ass't. to the President.
All of these were great worlds fairs in their own right. However, Spokane to
this day, is the best example of a fair that served as a catalyst for a
remarkable residual development with the Riverfront Park, etc.
I am still in the world fair business and have served as a consultant to
fairs in Vienna, Tokyo, Brisbane and Budapest.
—Pwcreight
I was in my early 20's when I attended the fair. I camped out at a
camp ground outside Spokane, that was next to a drive in theater, and pretty
much in the boonies. We could sit on a hill and watch the movies for free,
because the drive in or someone had rigged up speakers, and we had old cars
seats and whatnot to sit on. That was a Spokane more than a World's Fair
memory, but I had to share it.
As for the world's fair, I can say it capped an unbroken streak of my having
been to every fair since the New York 1964/65 fair. I didn't miss a one. Got
to Hemisphere '68, Expo '67 & '70. After that, though, I couldn't attend any
more because I was in college, etc., and usually too broke to go. I missed
the ones down south, but I hope to get to the one next year!
I loved being in Spokane and the fair was a good time!
—CRichterrr
What a great great web site!
I was seven years old when my family traveled from Southern California by car
to spend a day at the fair. I have thre distinct memories: the waterfalls (!!!), a dark ride I think was called "Dante's Inferno" and a talking
American Indian bust, similar to the singing busts at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.
—jeffrey.murphy
I just wanted to tell you that your site is very well organized and well
designed. I'm doing a report on the Expo for my Humanities class in Jackson
High School. I am a Freshman and I really appreciate the information
that I found here. Thank you.
—GarrettWu
