Gah, someday I hafta read Devil in the White City. I'm involved in some local architectural nerdery, and the Chicago World's Fair was a huge turning point in all kinds of civic and architectural choices. The effect was national, but maybe felt more strongly up here in Minnesota because of proximity. Anyway, it's something I should know more about. I even own a copy. Thanks for the reminder!

Yeah, you should read it then! The book is just as much about the fair and the character of the time as it is H.H.Holmes. Larson does a wonderful job of bringing the 1890s to life.