Behind the 60-foot golden statue of the Republic, by Daniel C. French, is his
Columbus quadriga atop the peristyle. In addition to the four horses and three
human figures, at the sides of the rear of the car appear two mounted couriers
supporting standards of victory. Columbus rests on his sword, and two horses
draw his chariot; these are led by two maidens, who also lead two attendant
steeds. It recalls a similar ornamentation on the Brandenburg gate
in Berlin. On pedestals at the right and left of the portal are groups representing
the "Genius of Navigation," the creations of Bella G. Pratt, of New
York. The peristyle and colonnade establish the eastern end of the Court of
Honor.
The colonnade, extending from both sides of the portal, contained forty-eight
great Corinthian columns, and connected the Casino on the south with the Music
Hall (above) on the north. The States and Territories of the Union were symbolized
in the columns. Behind the peristyle and colonnade, destroyed by fire on the night of January
8th, 1894, is Lake Michigan. The structures were protected by a breakwater.
Through this portal came all visitors by lake.