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community organizations had clubhouses and boats at the lake. There
were two steamboats offering lake cruises, small boats for rent,
restaurants, and a growing amusement area. By 1903, the Ramona Park
amusement area featured a rollercoaster and a carousel among its rides
and entertainment. The Poots went to the lake for recreation and
probably for some community meetings. Will Poot learned to sailboat in
Michigan, and this was probably at Reed's Lake.

The Poot family probably traveled to the Chicago World's Fair, officially
named the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. The Poot's are known
to have made some trips to Chicago by boat. They would first go a few
miles to Grand Haven, then board a ship that crossed Lake Michigan and
docked at Chicago. The Fair had its most impressive entrance facing the
lake for steamship passengers. There was another large entrance for
railroad trains. Chicago's famous elevated rail lines were built to
accommodate the World Fair.

World Fairs once had a major impact upon the popular imagination and
world trade. The world had long talked about the Great London Exhibition
of 1851, and about the Paris Exhibition of 1889. The Chicago World's Fair
succeeded in becoming one of the greatest of all time. Nearly 700
hundred of acres of beautiful landscaping were designed by Frederick
Olmstead, the creator of Central Park in New York City. Scores of 60-foot
high classical buildings were brilliantly illuminated by electric lights -
earning the nickname "The White City." It dazzled both American and
foreign visitors with amazing displays of California Redwood trees, the
gigantic new ride called the Ferris Wheel, countless new American
inventions, famous entertainers, and tasty foods from around the world.
People traveled from all over the world to see the exposition. It is
estimated that 1/4 of all Americans attended the fair! This Fair
commemorated the 400th anniversary of Columbus' voyage to America.
The first commemorative coins and stamps issued by the U.S. Government
were sold at the Fair as souvenirs to honor Columbus.

Another reason for the Poots to visit Chicago was to hear the famous
evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Mr. Moody held a great Revival during the six
month long Fair, and nearly two million people signed his guest register!

In Grand Rapids, many of the details of everyday life remained the same as
in Kalamazoo. A horse-drawn milk wagon came around every morning to
deliver fresh milk. Just as before, the milk was carried in a large metal
can. Residents would come out to the wagon with their own pail and the
dairyman dipped his ladle into the milk and measured scoops of milk out
to each customer. Milk was not bottled until around 1906. Ice was
brought around twice a day in large insulated wagons from which you
could buy as much as you needed. Without refrigeration, everyone needed
ice to keep their food fresh for a day or two in the household icebox.

(12-2005) - Grand Rapids - - page 6 -