The Rhode Island Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission received 16 designs just after the turn of the 20th century — each a vision submitted by an architect from the ocean state to be considered as “The Rhode Island Building” for the St. Louis Fair. The commission eventually chose the design submitted by the Providence architectural firm of Thornton & Thornton.

Daniel Howard Thornton, who was born on Sept. 26, 1870 in Johnston, was the son of farmer Albert Olney Thornton and his wife Mary Jane (Yates). He married Lena Wilcox on Nov. 16, 1892 and welcomed three daughters; Beatrice in 1894, Elsie in 1895 and Dorothy in 1901. His cousin Henry Thornton was among those he partnered with in his architectural career and his many structural accomplishments include St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Centerdale, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pawtucket, the Emma Butts house and the Harold MacKinney house in Providence, the Douglas Avenue Fire Station in Providence and several of the state’s schoolhouses.

Thornton & Thornton’s design for the Rhode Island Building at the 1904 World’s Fair was modeled on the Federal-style mansion of Stephen Hopkins Smith, a Lincoln, Rhode Island Quaker who built his dream home, which was called “Hearthside,” on Great Road in Lincoln with money he won in a lottery.

The fair opened to the public on April 30, 1904 and ran until Dec. 1, 1905. A fantastical world artfully sprawled across more than 1,200 acres of land in St. Louis, the amazing feat brought together more than 60 countries and 43 of America’s states to exhibit pieces of cultural history and architecture; advancements in science, transportation and communication; the latest discoveries in medicine and all manner of human achievement through the ages. There was exotic food to be sampled and interesting music to be heard. Over 75 miles of roads and pathways creatively snaked around more than 1,500 buildings, statues, fountains and waterways constructed to awe the over 20-million people who visited the fair over the course of its 20-month run. The massive project as a whole, which cost approximately $15 million dollars, was financed with local, state and federal funds.

The State of Rhode Island contributed $50,000 toward its representation, $10,000 of the money being spent on the construction of The Rhode Island Building which showcased numerous historic relics such as a framed photo of the Vernon house in Providence where French soldiers who provided aid during the Revolutionary War were provided with room and board. The wood used in the frame came from a house which had been owned by a son of Roger Williams. Other Rhode Island relics on display included the marble mantel from the fireplace which had warmed the room where the burning of the Gaspee had been planned, as well as numerous portraits of men with titles such as Governor, Major and Commodore.     

Unlike most of the structures which were built for the 1904 exposition, the Rhode Island Building was not torn down at the close of the event. It was moved to a St. Louis neighborhood and remodeled into a family home.

Daniel Thornton died at his residence in the early morning hours of March 24, 1911 at the age of 41 after suffering from tuberculosis for several years and meningitis for several weeks. He was buried in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence. 

Kelly Sullivan is a Rhode Island columnist, lecturer and author.