Josef Seebacher was a tradesman, an iron
worker in New York. He worked on the construction of very many
well-known projects such as the GM Building, Gulf + Western Building,
Throggs Neck Bridge and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. He also
worked on building the New York State Pavilion for the 1964-1965
New York World's Fair. During his time there, Mr. Seebacher took
a series of photographs of the Fair under construction. This
is his gallery, a generous contribution to nywf64.com
by his son, Karl Baker.
-
Josef Seebacher at work on the
-
World Trade Center
|
-
View from the
New York State Pavilion construction site
-
October,
1963
-
The leaves on the trees and the
Helicopter approaching to land on the rooftop of the completed
Port Authority Heliport indicate that these photos were probably
taken from atop the New York State Pavilion construction site
in October, 1963.
|
-
Orbitals and continents were in
place on Unisphere by Labor Day, 1963. Construction shows the
steel skeletons of the light towers surrounding Unisphere. Federal
Pavilion is roofed. Steel skeleton at right is Republic of China
under construction.
|
-
Industrial Area construction in
full swing. Orange steelwork in the center of the photo is the
House of Japan. Many smaller international pavilions are still
nothing more than foundations.
|
-
The Kodak Pavilion is the unmistakable
landmark in this shot. The International Plaza and the peaked
roof of the Hall of Free Enterprise show that construction is
far along on those structures. The pointed roof of Edward Durel
Stone's Christian Science Pavilion can be seen behind them.
|
-
A long view of the Central Court
construction. In the lower left, the platforms of the New Jersey
Pavilion are in place and the steel booms that would hold the
pyramid rooftops are beginning to be put in place. It was these
steel booms that collapsed during construction of the pavilion
resulting in the deaths of three construction workers; the only
fatalities recorded in the building of the Fair.
|
-
A view of the General Motors construction
site.
|
|
-
The Fair nears
completion
-
Early
Spring, 1964
-
The Lunar Fountain is completed.
Steel framework of the Coca-Cola Carillon tower rises in the
background.
|
-
Construction sites of the Dynamic
Maturity and Seven-up Pavilions. The wood exterior of the Venezuela
Pavilion is to the right. Hong Kong Pavilion rises in the background.
|
-
Installation of the Carillon at
the Coca-Cola Pavilion.
|
-
Workmen install the giant horses
on the Gas Companies oversized "carousel."
|
-
Hong Kong Pavilion readies for
visitors.
|
-
Putting the finishing touches
on the Mormon Pavilion.
|
-
Steel scaffold still surrounds
the Thai Pavilion.
|
-
Federal Pavilion is fully enclosed
and the decorative fiberglass curtains have been installed on
the exterior of the pavilion.
|
-
Site huts surround the Tower of
the Four Winds at the Pepsi Pavilion. Completed phone booths
can be seen at the left.
|
-
With its buckets in place, the
US Rubber Ferris Wheel waits for riders. Moon Dome of the Transportation
and Travel Pavilion can be seen in the background.
|
-
Work progresses on the Republic
of China Pavilion. Thatched roof of the Caribbean Pavilion is
to its left. Light towers are completed and already providing
nighttime lighting for Unisphere.
|
-
A completed Unisphere awes passerby.
New England States and Federal Pavilion can be seen in the background.
|
-
Sinclair's Dinoland
is ready for guests.
|
-
Tyrannosaurus Rex prepares for
battle with Triceratops at Sinclair's Dinoland.
|
-
Dinoland's Brontosaurus peers
down on the passing motorists along the Grand Central Parkway.
The Fair was almost ready!
|
|
Source: All Photos presented
courtesy Karl Baker collection and are © Copyright 2005
Karl Baker, All Rights Reserved
|