One of the most noteworthy features of the Illinois State Home was its verandas. From these every part of the exposition grounds could be seen, and the night view was especially glorious. The building was designed by Illinois architects, erected by Illinois labor, and furnished, for the most part, by Illinois firms. Hence it was really an expression of the State it represented. Its cost was $90,000. Aside from the State House, the most remarkable exhibits of the State were those in the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy and the Palace of Agriculture. In the former there was abundant evidence that Illinois is primarily a mining State, while the latter wholly contradicted this notion. As a matter of fact, Illinois ranks second to Pennsylvania in the production of coal, and its quarries yield a fine quality of both sand and lime stone. The booth in the Palace of Mines contained the largest block of soft coal ever removed from a mine. It was 6 by 7 by 8 feet in size and was hoisted 335 feet from the shaft. In the coal exhibit there were specimens of the product of over 50 mines, with chemical analyses showing their respective heating elements. There was a large display of the clay industry of the State, including bricks, tile, and pottery. In addition there were shown splendid specimens of fluorspar, lead, and zinc. In the Palace of Horticulture there was an extensive table exhibit of fresh fruit, especially of apples and the more ephemeral fruits, such as berries and plums. However, the best display of all was in the Palace of Agriculture. In the cold-storage case in the dairy section were two exceptionally good pieces of butter sculpture. They were the busts of those two great Illinoisans--Lincoln and Grant. The most striking feature of the great corn pavilion was an enormous broom, that was typical both of the production of broom corn and of the State's broom industry. In the corners were small ornamental booths made entirely of the native woods of the State. One of these was used as an office by the secretary. There were several excellent pictures made of various grains. Among the grain pictures were three that were worthy to stand together. They were President Lincoln, Governor Yates, and the great seal of the State.