Greyhound was selected as the official transportation carrier at the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago. The company reserved 2,000 hotel rooms and offered transportation and lodging to the fair on one ticket.
Inside the exposition grounds, Greyhound provided bus service using a fleet of sixty specially designed semi-trailer type open buses. The buses had a capacity of 100 persons each. The seats of the buses ran lengthwise and faced outward, permitting passengers a good view.
The postcard above shows a Greyhound bus at the 12th Street (North) entrance. Greyhound operated both a Rapid Transit Service with stops at designated locations and sightseeing tours. The sightseeing tours lasted about an hour and gave a complete view of the fair grounds, passing all the important buildings and attractions. A trained guide told about each exhibit as it was passed. At points of particular interest, the buses stopped while the guide pointed out and explained unique features.
The map below shows the Rapid Transit and Sightseeing routes.
Inside the exposition grounds, Greyhound provided bus service using a fleet of sixty specially designed semi-trailer type open buses. The buses had a capacity of 100 persons each. The seats of the buses ran lengthwise and faced outward, permitting passengers a good view.
The postcard above shows a Greyhound bus at the 12th Street (North) entrance. Greyhound operated both a Rapid Transit Service with stops at designated locations and sightseeing tours. The sightseeing tours lasted about an hour and gave a complete view of the fair grounds, passing all the important buildings and attractions. A trained guide told about each exhibit as it was passed. At points of particular interest, the buses stopped while the guide pointed out and explained unique features.
The map below shows the Rapid Transit and Sightseeing routes.
The next postcard shows one of the Greyhound buses in front of the Hall of Science. The Hall of Science was one of the major exposition buildings. It housed exhibits of science and industry.
The next postcard shows two of the Greyhound buses in front of Eitel's Old Heidelberg Inn. This was a German style restaurant seating 2500 patrons. There was German music, and the building included garden terrace service, a lunch room and an old-fashioned Rathskeller.
Old Heidelberg Inn looks like a good place to end our tour.
Greyhound buses themselves were an important example of progress. Greyhound became an American icon and the largest provider of intercity bus transportation. However, 1933 was less than twenty years since the company's beginnings in Northern Minnesota, and only four years since its name was changed to Greyhound Corporation. The Greyhound running dog, which is one of the most-recognized brands in the world, was first used as the company's logo in 1929.
Excellent tour of Greyhound history and the 1933 fair. The colors really pop on these cards. Delightful.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone must have heard of the Greyhound buses of America. These at the fair are huge; the one below the map looks like a truck and trailer.
ReplyDeletei love the first 3 cards with their very art deco look. What a fun way to see the fair. you didn't even have to get off the bus!
ReplyDeletegreat post.
I can’t help singing the Simon and Garfunkel song (in my head) whenever Greyhound buses are mentioned. Echoes of my youth!
ReplyDeleteI just love those old trucks and buses. They're both bulky and streamlined!
ReplyDeleteWow, Greyhound buses never looked so good.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent selection of art deco cards, from one of the quintessential events of that era, and some interesting looking buses too, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the delightful virtual tour of the 1933 World's Fair by Greyhound bus. It brought back memories of my first solo trip - returning from a visit with my cousin on a Greyhound bus. It was quite an experience! I will be forever indebted to the old lady who took me under her wing.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards. They really show the history.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Thanks...
ReplyDeleteI've so often read books that mention Greyhound buses, now I know what they looked like.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen these older model Greyhounds before- neat.
ReplyDeleteThese were a special type of intramural buses for the fair. Intercity buses did not look like this.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. I can easily imagine the buses collecting weary fair-visitors filled with German beer and brats. Slowly around the turns please.
ReplyDeleteI love the way the postcards seem to stretch the buses so that they look so sleek and 1930s modern. And far more comfortable than the one featured on the prompt I would imagine.
ReplyDeletethis puts me in mind of the type of transportation we had for Expo '67. how much I loved those!!... even if I once fell off one!!!
ReplyDelete:D~
HUGZ