Missouri
Missouri's glass-enclosed pavilion presents the theme "First in the Air... First in Space." Among its exhibits are a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane in which Charles A. Lindbergh made his historic New York - Paris flight in May 1927, and the two space capsules, Mercury and Gemini. There are also mementos of famous Missourians, a display sponsored by nine private electric utilities, and separate exhibits depicting the industrial development and natural resources of the state, the city of St. Louis, and Kansas City. A snack bar features foods said to have originated at the 1904 fair in St. Louis.
The pavilion was conveniently located next to one of the bridges linking the Transportation Area to the main grounds near the New York State pavilion. This brought a steady stream of potential visitors right to the pavilion entrance, where a Mercury capsule helped draw them inside. (CD #TBD Set 825 #33)
"Spirit of St. Louis." An exact replica of the famous plane, made in 1955 for the movie The Spirit of St. Louis, hangs from the ceiling of the pavilion. (CD #30 Pana-Vue #641W4)
Space Capsules. A replica of the Mercury capsule, Friendship 7, is on display outside the pavilion. On it is a plaque engraved with the autographs of all the astronauts. An actual-sized Gemini moon capsule is inside the pavilion. Both capsules were built by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, a St. Louis company. (CD #TBD Set 466 #16)
Snacks and Souvenirs. Both the snack bar and the pavilion's souvenir shops specialize in regional items (Missouri hams, corncob pipes). The snack bar also sells some all-American favorites said to have been introduced in the period of the St. Louis Fair of 1904: hot dogs, ice cream cones and iced tea. (CD #TBD Set 361 #74)
Want more information on the Missouri pavilion?
5-24-64 - Groundbreaking booklet