Chicago, IL – Today marks the 131st anniversary of the first Ferris wheel’s debut at the World’s Columbian Exposition on June 21, 1893. Designed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., the groundbreaking structure became a symbol of innovation and a highlight of the fair.
Standing 264 feet tall, the Ferris wheel was intended as the keystone attraction of the exposition, akin to the Eiffel Tower at the 1889 Paris World’s Fair. Constructed in Jackson Park during the winter of 1892 to 1893, the wheel featured 36 passenger cars, each with 40 revolving chairs, accommodating up to 60 people per car. The total capacity exceeded 2,100 seats. The ride took 20 minutes to complete two revolutions, and tickets cost $0.50, roughly $17 today. Over 1.5 million people rode the Ferris wheel, generating a profit of $395,000, equivalent to about $13.4 million in 2024.
The Ferris wheel was dismantled and rebuilt twice after its initial run in Chicago. In 1895, it was moved to Lincoln Park, and in 1904, it was relocated to St. Louis for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Ultimately, the iconic structure was demolished on May 11, 1906.
While the original Ferris wheel in Chicago no longer stands, it serves as a template for those that came after it. Its long legacy has left an indelible mark on American culture 131 years later.
