1917 Season

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1917 Season
Leadership The Olentangy Park Company
Will D. Harris, operating lessee
Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
William J. Dusenbury
Pre-season April 29, 1917 - May 20, 1917
Season May 27, 1917 - Sept. 21, 1917
Post-season Sept. 22, 1917 - November 1917
New Attractions Swimming Pool
Stock Company Richard Buhler Players
Stock Manager A. G. Delamater
Band(s) Burke's Military Band
John McCardle's Orchestra
Park Size 90-100 acres
Tagline "The Wonder Play Place of Ohio"

Olentangy Park opened for the season on Sunday, April 29, 1917,[1][2] initially on Sundays only during its pre-season, and began daily operation on Sunday, May 27, 1917.[3] Opening Day featured Frank Robinson's Trained Elephants and Vaudeville troop, Rex Adams and Company, performing "The Night Hawks."[4] Burke's Military Band, featuring Anna Woodward and Gene Lord, played free concerts, and John McCardle's Orchestra provided music in the Dancing Pavilion throughout the season. There was a parking space for automobiles, and extra streetcars were available for opening day.

Will D. Harris was the operating lessee[5] and manager[6] of the park, while J. W. and W. J. Dusenbury and their company, The Olentangy Park Company, maintained ownership.[7] Harris was a former manager of Buckeye Lake, Indianola, and other amusement parks, and was listed as the manager of Indianola Park throughout the 1917 season. The lease was for the 75 acres above North Street for $25,000$624,607 in 2025 dollars annually with five percent interest.[8] The size of the entire park grounds was between 90[8] and 100 acres. The Dusenburys leased the park to focus on their other enterprises in Columbus, including the Grand and Vernon theaters and other real estate investments.[8]

On June 23, inclement weather caused the park to close.[9]

Ads claimed Olentangy Park was the "largest and most complete" amusement park in the U.S.[10] On Sunday, Aug. 5, the park broke its attendance record with over 28,000 visitors that day.[11]

The theater closed for the season on Sept. 1, 1917.[12] The park was also to close on Sept. 1 but was extended to Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 29, 1917.[13] The park began its pre-season and was only open during weekends starting Saturday, Sept. 22[14] and there is little evidence that the park was open much past Nov. 9, 1917. Almost 200,000 people visited the park during the season.[15]

Improvements to the Park

Manager Harris spent $15,000$374,765 in 2025 dollars on improvements for the 1917 season.[16]

One hundred ten to 160 men worked throughout the spring to clean up and prepare the park for its opening.[7] Electricians installed and tested 15,687 new electric light globes[17] - each ranging from 60 to 100 candlepower and coming in all colors and sizes. The number of lights broke the record for General Electric's sales of Mazda lights.[18] The most elaborate lighting was in the Dancing Pavilion ballroom, where lights gave a combined power of 100,000 candlepower to create a moonlight effect and used some Mazda C-2 lamps. The sidewalks were also "alive with lights," and the amusement devices were a "mass of light from one end to the other." Lights were also installed to light the automobile parking lot, and towers at each end of the park could be seen for miles.[19] A new roof was put on the theater, and all the buildings were painted green and white.[20] This change to tungsten filament lights from carbon was most likely an investment to lower electric costs.

For ride and attraction changes, see the Rides and Attractions section.

Lawsuits

Manager Harris filed and later withdrew a lawsuit against the Columbus Local American Federation of Musicians. He filed the suit when the Columbus Federation refused to play after being contracted for the park, and they had been overpaid. The musicians were playing regularly at the park when he dropped the suit.[21]

Other Notable Events

Human Flag

Members of the Ladies' Auxiliary of Machinists Union had 600 women and girls form a human American flag at the Labor Day celebration at the park. The women who formed the stars wore star-shaped hats while standing on blue ground and wearing blue capes, while the red and white stars were made of women in red and white clothing. The celebration included branches in 20 central Ohio counties.[22]

First Swim Fest

About 700 men and boys of the Y.M.C.A. competed in swimming events at the new Swimming Pool on Aug. 3. Clyde Hinton won two firsts -- the 50-yard distance swim and the fancy diving event. Glen Summers and E. W. Roehm were the judges.[23]

Rides and Attractions

Boathouse Improvements

Main Article: Boathouse

Commodore Joe Keenan improved the Olentangy Canoe Club, where nominal dues were $1$25 in 2025 dollars. Manager Harris replaced all the old steel rowboats[24] and had the boathouse freshly sanded, painted, and varnished.[25] Harris signed Emmett Ruh to operate the Boathouse and added tennis courts.[26]

New Restaurant

On the park's opening day, a new restaurant was advertised with a special chicken dinner for 60 cents$15 in 2025.[16]

Floral Conservatory and Greenhouse

Main Article: Floral Conservatory

More than $5,000$124,922 in 2025 dollars worth of flowers and foliage was planted throughout the park. This consisted of 50 or more flower beds, several baskets, banana trees, orange trees, lemon trees, and the care for the plants. There was a hanging basket just north of the theater that was almost 25 feet in diameter, and it was thought to be the largest in the state. It was suspended from heavy cable wires, and it took two men a day to plant rare flowers, ferns, and evergreens. The plants are stored and kept healthy in the greenhouse over the winter months.[27]

New Swimming Pool

Main Article: Swimming Pool

The Swimming Pool, completed in July 1917, was advertised as the largest inland swimming pool in the world, but was actually the second-largest pool in the United States. It surpassed the previous record-holder in Kansas City.[28] Built on and just south of the site of Fair Japan,[6] the original specs for the pool were to be 300 feet long by 80 feet wide,[29][30] giving it a surface space of 24,000 square feet. When completed, it was 325 by 95 feet and took 3 million gallons to fill.[31] It was able to accommodate 5,000 swimmers. On the east side of the pool, the water was 18 inches deep, and the slope gradually deepened to 9 feet at the west end. Seats were installed on both sides to accommodate spectators.

Bathhouses, separated by gender, were L-shaped and located at the northwest end of the pool, with attendants. They included lockers and shower baths. Manager Harris purchased 7,000[31] over 3,500 bathing suits[6] of varying popular designs from the time, each of which could be washed and dried within 10 minutes after use. Visitors paid 25 cents$6.25 in 2025 dollars to rent the suits.[32] The first lifeguards were Carl V. Smith and Charles Wesley "Chic" Harley, an Ohio State University football player.[33][34]

Although the original plan was to use Olentangy River water,[6] two 6-inch water mains by the city waterworks provided the water in a constant stream. The pool was designed to drain and fill within a few hours to ensure sanitation. Manager Harris paid $15,000$374,764 in 2025 dollars as part of the contract for the park lease.[35] Forty to 50 men worked with two large concrete mixers in early June to complete the pool on schedule, but inclement weather and injuries pushed its completion to July.[28][36] The pool was open daily from 9 a.m. to the park's close.[31]

List of Rides and Attractions

Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater

The Olentangy Park Theater hosted the Crestview Junior High School during its housewarming party on Thursday, May 3, 1917. Seventy-five cast members performed "Mr. Bob," a musical comedy directed by Grant P. Ward and starring Louise Tuttle, Kathryn Nowel, Louise Dixon, Dorothy Williams, Hazel Riggle, Charles Vogel, Robert Shields, and Morton Bodfish. [37][38][39]

The Ohio State University Strollers performed "Mrs. Gerringe's Necklace," a Henry Davies comedy, on May 4 and 5.[40][41] They were directed by Carle B. Robbins and starred Eleanor H. Lewis as Mrs. Gorringe, Marie Guthrie as Isabel Kirk, Mabel Nichol as Mrs. Jardine, Humphrey W. Pearson as Captain Mowbray, Harry E. Ronch as Lieutenant David Cairn, Paul M. Herbert as the colonel, Carson Blair as the detective, Mariam G. Smith as the daughter, Arian R. Thorley as the butler and Gwendolyne V. Decker as Miss Potts.[42][43]

The Olentangy Canoe Club gave a "grand minstrel show" directed by "Pop" Sank at the Olentangy Park Theater on Friday and Saturday, May 25 and 26.[44] The show consisted of 60 members of the club.[45] Performances included C. E. Smith, ballad singing and dancing; R. Deshler, George Worley, C. Kramer, and H. Caldwell, vocals; C. Doll in an original dance called, "Uncle Ebe;" and a solo by J. B. Wolfendale.[46]

Will D. Harris originally booked the two musical comedies for the theater to provide entertainment until headliner Mary Servoss finished her shows in New York in May, to begin shows at the park theater in June.[7] Later, Manager Harris decided to have Vaudeville at the theater instead of a stock company until mid-June and opened the theater season on May 27, the day of the park's official opening. There were two shows per day at 2:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.[16] Each Vaudeville show had eight to twelve acts.[20]

Tickets were sold up to one week in advance, and advance seat sales were available by telephone.[47]

Dispatch Contest

There were 22 pieces of a photograph in the June 3 issue of the Columbus Sunday Dispatch of nine of "the pretty maidens from 'The Sweet Shop'" that was to be performed that week at Olentangy Park Theater.[48] Readers who cut out the twenty-two pieces and place them together properly could send them in to Dispatch with the advertisers' information to be entered into a contest with the following prizes:

  • First place prize - One entire box for three performances on June 11, June 15, and June 25, an $18 value$450 in 2025 in dollars)
  • Second place prize - One entire box for two performances on June 12 and June 19, a $12 value$300 in 2025 in dollars)
  • Third place prize - One entire box for Wednesday night, June 13, and two box seats for June 12 and June 19, a $10 value$250 in 2025 in dollars)
  • Fourth place prize - One entire box for Monday night, June 11, and two box seats for June 18, a $8 value$200 in 2025 in dollars)
  • Fifth place prize - One entire box for Tuesday night, June 12, and two box seats for June 18, a $6 value$150 in 2025 in dollars)
  • 25 other winners - a varying number of orchestra seat tickets for different performance dates, ranging from $1 to $3$25 to $75 in 2025 in dollars)

Maire Shapter was awarded first prize on June 10.[49]

Vaudeville Acts

There were two Vaudeville shows per day at 2:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.[16] Each show had eight to 12 acts.[20]

Week of May 27

  • Rex Adams and Company - "The Night Hawks"
  • Standard Brothers, equilibrists
  • Doniti
  • Dawson, Lamgan, and Covert (Dancing Phiends)
  • Balcom and Sherman
  • The Gillette Trio
  • Clark and McCullough, comedians

The Standard Brothers entered the U.S. Army afterward to use their aviation skills in World War I.[50]

Week of June 4

[51][52]

  • Leroy and Cahill - "The Sweet Shop" - starring Victoria Webster and eight chorus girls
  • Sid Lewis, the "Original Nut"
  • Frederick, Nelson, and Frederick - A comedy and musical sketch
  • Patsy Doyle - Known as "Dancing Doyle"
  • Gardner-Vincent Company - "A Trip to the Moon," a comedy - The show had "electrical effects."
  • Ferguson and Sunderland - "Songs That Are Somewhat Different"
  • The Three Rosars - "Fun on a Garden Wall"

Week of June 11

[53]

  • Willa Holt Wakefield
  • Blossom Robinson and Billy Link - "The Girl and The Traffic Policeman"
  • Ninn Straw's Minstrel Maids
  • The Three Fishers
  • The Three Roselles - "The Singers of Real Songs"
  • The Youngers, equilibrists - "To Save One Girl"

Olentangy Park Stock Members

The Olentangy stock company, the Richard Buhler Players, included: [54][55]

  • William Brown, advertising agent
  • Richard Buhler, actor
  • A. S. Byron [or Brynn or Pyron], actor
  • Mabel Carruthers [or Carthurs], actress
  • Hamilton Christie
  • Charles Dillon, stage manager
  • John Elliot, actor
  • Roy Gordon, actor
  • A. D. Graham
  • R. Thomas Holden
  • Lillian Kemble, actor
  • Margaret Knight, actress
  • Harry Mack
  • Ida Maye, actress
  • Max von Mitzel, director
  • Carl Nimau [or Norman]
  • Louise Orendorf
  • John Prescott, actor
  • Jay Quigley
  • Edward Richter, assistant agent
  • Alice Terry, actress

A. G. Delamater of New York managed the company.[54][55]

Performances

Evenings and box tickets were 75 cents$18.74 in 2025 dollars, 500 seats were sold at 50 cents$12.50 in 2025 dollars, and 1100 more at 15 to 35 cents$3.75 to $8.75 in 2025 dollars.[56] Originally, the Richard Buhler Players were signed for June but were extended six weeks after a successful run.[57]

Dates Performance Writer Genre Headliners Notes
June 10-16, 1917 "Rolling Stones" [58]
June 17-23, 1917 "Common Clay" Drama Richard Buhler and Lillian Kemble [58][54]
June 24-30, 1917 "A Full House" Fred Jackson Comedy '' [59][54]
July 1-7, 1917 "Hit-the-Trail Holliday" George M. Cohen Comedy '' [60]
July 8-13, 1917
July 15-21, 1917 "Some Baby" Comedy '' [61][55]
July 22-28, 1917 "Thelma" Marie Corell Drama '' [61]
July 29 to Aug. 4, 1917 "In the Bishop's Carriage" Channing Pollock '' [62]
Aug. 5-11, 1917 "Believe Me, Nantippe" Comedy '' [63]
Aug. 12-18, 1917 "A Pair of Queens" Comedy '' [64]
Aug. 19-25, 1917 "Charlie's Aunt" Comedy '' [65]
Aug. 26 to Sept. 1, 1917 "A Pair of Sixes" Comedy '' [65]

Outdoor and Stunt Performances

Frank Robinson showed off his trained elephants for the first two weeks.[29]

J. C. Newman of New York City was commissioned to perform "Life in the Trenches," an exhibition featuring electric effects and pyrotechnics recreating the frontline experiences of soldiers entering World War I.[66][59]

Six hundred Ladies' Auxiliary of the Machinist Union members performed a human flag for the Labor Day celebration. It included twenty branches in Central Ohio counties.[67]

An imported diving team performed in the new pool twice a day after it opened.[62] The Berlo Sisters performed for free each week in the evenings to avoid conflict with theater performances.[68]

Dad Straley's Jungleland Show[69]

Musical Performances

Burke's Military Band, featuring Anna Woodward and Gene Lord, played free concerts, and John McCardle's Orchestra provided music in the Dancing Pavilion throughout the season.[4] Lord performed Edmund Vance Cooke's war song on the opening day.

Members of Burke's Military Band:

  • Gene Lord, soloist
  • Anna Woodward, soloist
  • B. Cichinelli, euphonium
  • O. Horlocker, xylophone

Clarence Calindine, aged 13, performed with Burke's Military Band during the week of June 3.[51]

Activities

List of Activities

References

  1. ↑ "Changes at the Big Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 22, 1917. Page 6.
  2. ↑ "Park Opens Today." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 29, 1917. Page 6.
  3. ↑ "Two Park Openings." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 15, 1917.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Present and Future at Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 20, 1917.
  5. ↑ "Local No. 103, Columbus, Ohio." The International Musician, Vol. 15. Issue 12. Page 6. June 1917.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Pool for Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. March 25, 1917. Page 4.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Olentangy News." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 8, 1917.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "The Discoverer Of Buckeye Lake Will Manage Olentangy Park." Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (Lancaster, Ohio). March 21, 1917. Page 4. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Poor Weather Closed Park." The New York Clipper. June 27, 1917. Page 14.
  10. ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 6, 1917.
  11. ↑ "Over 28,000 at Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 6, 1917. Page 16.
  12. ↑ "Big Park Is Opening." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 27, 1917.
  13. ↑ "Park Open Until Thanksgiving." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Sept. 2, 1917.
  14. ↑ "Rides Run at Week Ends." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Sept. 18, 1917. Page 20.
  15. ↑ "Park Novelties." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. March 31, 1918.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Advertisement. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 27, 1917.
  17. ↑ "Pars Open as May Comes In." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 29, 1917. Page 5.
  18. ↑ "Echoes from the Firing Squad." The National Mazda Stimulator, Vol. 6. Page 14. September 1917.
  19. ↑ "Parks Open as May Comes In." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 29, 1917.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Vaude for Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 6, 1917.
  21. ↑ "Harris Settles Trouble." The Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio). July 24, 1917. Page 9. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  22. ↑ "Planning Human Flag." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 15, 1917. Page 10.
  23. ↑ "'You Splash Me, I'll Splash You'." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 4, 1917. Page 5.
  24. ↑ "Canoeing." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 29, 1917. Page 20.
  25. ↑ "They're Slicking Up Canoes on Olentangy River Way." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 1, 1917. Page 21.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "April Canoeing Is a Man's Job." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Page 21.
  27. ↑ "A Golden Flora." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 1, 1917. Page 4.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Pool Prospects." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 3, 1917.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Big Park Opens." The Union County Journal (Marysville, Ohio). May 25, 1917. Page 8. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Reynoldsburgh News Gazette (Reynoldsburg, Ohio). May 24, 1917. Page 3. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 "New Park Pool Second Largest of Its Kind in United States." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 15, 1917.
  32. ↑ "Suits Disappear." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Aug. 19, 1917.
  33. ↑ Wittenmeier, Jack. "Starling's 'Smitty' Wraps Up 53-Year Coaching Career." South Side Leader. June 13, 1963. Page 7. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  34. ↑ "New Park Pool Second Largest of Its Kind in United States." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 15, 1917. Page 42.
  35. ↑ "Items From Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 21, 1917. Page 12.
  36. ↑ "Workmen are Injured." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 8, 1917. Page 3.
  37. ↑ Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 24, 1917. Page 20.
  38. ↑ "Mr. 'Bob' Improving." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 1, 1917. Page 22.
  39. ↑ "Large Chorus in 'Mr. Bob'." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 2, 1917. Page 24.
  40. ↑ Photograph, "Humphry Pearson." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 22, 1917.
  41. ↑ "Bulletin Board: Friday, May 4." The Lantern (Columbus, Ohio). May 3, 1917. Vol. 36. Issue 147. Page 1. Accessed through The Ohio State University Lantern Archives. Accessed on April 27, 2025.}}
  42. ↑ "Stroller Play Tonight." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 4, 1917. Page 32.
  43. ↑ "The University Players." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 5, 1917. Page 10.
  44. ↑ "Canoeing." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 20, 1917. Page 20.
  45. ↑ "Canoe Club Minstrelsy." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 22, 1917. Page 22.
  46. ↑ "Canoe Club Minstrels." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 23, 1917. Page 16.
  47. ↑ "Sale For Park Theater." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 23, 1917. Page 16.
  48. ↑ "Olentangy Theater." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 3, 1917. Page 25.
  49. ↑ "Announce Winners of Park Theater Contest." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 10, 1917. Page 12.
  50. ↑ "Actors to Join Army." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 25, 1917. Page 32.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 "Whirlie-Girlie at the Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 3, 1917.
  52. ↑ "In Park and Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 5, 1917. Page 20.
  53. ↑ "Charming Miss Wakefield." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 10, 1917.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 "Buhler Players at Olentangy Park." The Billboard. Vol. 29. Issue 26. Page 21. June 30, 1917.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 "Stock Company Has Big Week at Olentangy Park, Columbus." The Billboard. Vol. 29. Issue 28. Page 21. July 14, 1917.
  56. ↑ "Stock at Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 17, 1917. Page 15.
  57. ↑ "New Vehicle for Buhler." The Billboard. Vol. 29. Page 4. Sept. 1, 1917.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 "Pool is Thoroughly Scrubbed." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 14, 1917. Page 10.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "Seventeen In Stock Cast." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 25, 1917. Page 12.
  60. ↑ "Big Demand for 'Holliday'." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 29, 1917. Page 28.
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 "Pool's Present Prospects." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 19, 1917. Page 21.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 "New Pool and 'Thelma.'" Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 26, 1917. Page 18.
  63. ↑ "Hot Weather Helps Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 1, 1917. Page 18.
  64. ↑ "Comedy Gets Under Way." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 14, 1917. Page 16.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 "Moose to Picnic at Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 23, 1917. Page 18.
  66. ↑ "Pyrotechnics." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 17, 1917.
  67. ↑ "Planning Human Flag." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 15, 1917. Page 10.
  68. ↑ "In Parts They Have Played." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 29. Page 5.
  69. ↑ "Johnny J. Jones' Luck." The Billboard. Nov. 10, 1917. Vol. 29. Issue 45. Page 34.


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