Panama Pacific International Exposition

During Laura Ingalls Wilder's visit to San Francisco in 1915, the Panama Pacific International Exposition was held to commemorate the Panamá Canal's completion as well as the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean. San Francisco was just one of the cities that were being considered to host the exposition. In 1911, President Taft named San Francisco as the host city.

San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean and the PPIE were all magnificent sights to behold, particularly for a girl who had grown up in the Midwest and resided in Missouri. Although Laura Ingalls Wilder had settled down on Rocky Ridge Farm with her husband, Almanzo, Laura never lost her passion for travel. When Laura and Almanzo's daughter, Rose, insisted that her mother trouble last to San Francisco, Laura could not say no.

In addition to being held as a celebration, the PPIE was...