Panama – Pacific International Exposition was a world 's fair held in San Francisco , California , U.S. , from February 20 to December 4 , 1915 . Its stated purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal , but it was widely seen in the city as an opportunity to showcase its recovery from the 1906 earthquake . The fair was constructed on a site along the northern shore , between the Presidio and Fort Mason , now known as the Marina District
1906 earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Panama–Pacific International Exposition