On August 1, 1883, President Chester A. Arthur opened the Southern Exposition of “Art, Industry and Agriculture.” Its 40-acre grounds extended from Park Avenue to Hill Street and from 4th to 6th Streets. The two-story 600' x 900' main building, designed by McDonald Bros. and Curtin, stood on the present site of St. James fountain and Belgrave Courts. The art gallery and promenade were in Central Park, and the marvel of the exposition was the lighting of 4600 Edison incandescent light bulbs.
