1905 Season: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox season | {{Infobox season | ||
| year = 1905 | | year = 1905 | ||
| image = | | image = | ||
| management = The Olentangy Park Company<br />Joseph W. Dusenbury, president<br />William J. Dusenbury, manager | | management = The Olentangy Park Company<br />Joseph W. Dusenbury, president<br />William J. Dusenbury, manager | ||
| | | season = April 30, 1905 - October 1905 | ||
| | | newattractions = [[Fair Japan|Fair Japan or Japanese Village]]<br />[[Floral Conservatory|Floral Conservatory and Greenhouse]]<br />Open-Air Circus<br />Palm Garden | ||
| | |||
| theatermanager = William W. Prosser | | theatermanager = William W. Prosser | ||
| band = | | band = Creatore's Italian Band | ||
| size = 100 acres | | size = 100 acres | ||
}} | }} | ||
Olentangy Park, Theater, and Zoological Garden opened for the 1905 season on Sunday, April 30, 1905.<ref>Advertisement. ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 16, 1905. Page 7.</ref><ref name="opening">"Opening of Olentangy." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 16, 1905. Page 6.</ref> Creatore's Italian Band performed during the opening weeks at the theater.<ref name="extended">"Olentangy Park Will Be Extended to Doddridge St." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Feb. 18, 1905. Page 7.</ref> Admission to the park was {{Tooltip |text = 5 cents|tooltip = $1.83 in 2025 dollars}} and included "free admission" to the Zoo, Museum of Ornithology, band concerts, and the Dog and Pony Circus.<ref>Advertisement, ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 9, 1905. Page 6.</ref> The theater closed for the season on Sept. 17, 1905.<ref>"For Next Year." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Aug. 20, 1905. Page 6.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Sept. 9, 1905. Page 4.</ref> The Fair Japan, the Japanese village, closed for the season on Sept. 24, 1905, and the park sometime in October.<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Sept. 23, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | |||
===Park Improvements=== | ===Park Improvements=== | ||
To make room for the growth of the zoo (see rides and attractions), the park grounds were extended to Doddridge Street, and the meadowlands on each side of the Glen Echo Run [published as "the river"] were added and beautified. More electric lights were strung over the grounds and along the river. Arches of incandescent lights were also added.<ref name="extended" /> The paths were newly graveled, and all buildings were freshly painted. Deep wells were built to provide cold drinking water to patrons.<ref name="opening" /> The park was almost 100 acres.<ref name="railway">"Columbus Railway & Light Co." ''Street Railway Review | To make room for the growth of the zoo (see rides and attractions), the park grounds were extended to Doddridge Street, and the meadowlands on each side of the Glen Echo Run [published as "the river"] were added and beautified. More electric lights were strung over the grounds and along the river. Arches of incandescent lights were also added.<ref name="extended" /> The paths were newly graveled, and all buildings were freshly painted. Deep wells were built to provide cold drinking water to patrons.<ref name="opening" /> The park was almost 100 acres.<ref name="railway">"Columbus Railway & Light Co." ''Street Railway Review.'' Feb. 15, 1906. Vol. 16. Issue 2. Page 70.</ref> | ||
''For ride and attraction changes, see the Rides and Attractions section.'' | ''For ride and attraction changes, see the Rides and Attractions section.'' | ||
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===Animal Escape=== | ===Animal Escape=== | ||
William Collins, the "animal man" at the park, was in a violent struggle with an escaped grey wolf that | William Collins, the "animal man" at the park, was in a violent struggle with an escaped grey wolf that had been brought in from the Bronx Zoo in New York. The original cage for the wolf needed repairs, so the animal was placed in a temporary wooden cage with iron bars. The day before the attack, a rainstorm made the wood weak enough for the wolf to gnaw through and escape. The night watchmen saw it and gathered the night and day forces to capture it. Collins had a history with circuses, so he was called for his expertise. Collins chased the animal down to the Olentangy River bank and tried to restrain it with a rope and nose chain. The wolf bit Collins repeatedly on the hands and arms before he could place the nose chain. This all happened at night in the rain, lit by a lantern that was knocked out in the struggle. Collins was able to return it to a cage and later healed from his wounds.<ref>"Fights With Savage Wolf on River Bank." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 29, 1905. Page 1.</ref> | ||
===15th/16th District Republican Convention=== | ===15th/16th District Republican Convention=== | ||
About 150 delegates from Muskingum, Perry, Delaware, and Licking counties went to Olentangy Park on | About 150 delegates from Muskingum, Perry, Delaware, and Licking counties went to Olentangy Park on Aug. 8 to nominate a Republican candidate for state senator from their districts.<ref>"Senatorial Fight Reopens at Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 8, 1905. Page 2.</ref> During the event, Secretary George H. Hamilton claimed that a member of the Licking County delegation offered him a check for {{Tooltip |text = $500|tooltip = $18,265 in 2025 dollars}} to vote for Charles E. Cochran of near Dresden. The offer was said to have taken place behind the Park Hotel in New Lexington.<ref>"Bribery Charge Grows Out of the Senatorial Fight." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 9, 1905. Page 1.</ref> | ||
== Injuries == | |||
On July 6, during an outing for orphans and poor children hosted by the Salvation Army, Eral Roach became dizzy while riding the [[Merry-Go-Round (1)|merry-go-round]] and fell from a horse. He was badly shaken and bruised but recovered.<ref>"Little Children of the Poor Have Day of Pleasure." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 6, 1905. Page 1.</ref> | |||
==Lawsuits== | ==Lawsuits== | ||
Binzo Suzuki and Sohechi Iida sued J. W. Dusenbury for $1,102 | Binzo Suzuki and Sohechi Iida sued J. W. Dusenbury for {{Tooltip |text = $1,102|tooltip = $40,256 in 2025 dollars}} for Japanese goods and merchandise that furnished [[Fair Japan]]. The Aquarama Company also sued Dusenbury for not paying its agreed-upon percentages derived from the operation of the [[Ye Olde Mill (1)|Ye Olde Mill]] ride.<ref>"Sue Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Sept. 10, 1905. Page 1.</ref> | ||
Japanese watercolor artist F. J. Baske and ten other Japanese workers at Olentangy Park sued Dusenbury for not paying them for their final month and a half of work. Dusenbury told them he'd pay after meeting with the Fair Japan architect, Kushibiki Yumindo, but the workers did not believe Kushibiki would come to Columbus. This underpayment led to Baske selling his paintings so the group could stay in Columbus or travel to New York.<ref>"Famous Exhibit of Water Colors." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Japanese watercolor artist F. J. Baske and ten other Japanese workers at Olentangy Park sued Dusenbury for not paying them for their final month and a half of work. Dusenbury told them he'd pay after meeting with the Fair Japan architect, Kushibiki Yumindo, but the workers did not believe Kushibiki would come to Columbus. This underpayment led to Baske selling his paintings so the group could stay in Columbus or travel to New York.<ref>"Famous Exhibit of Water Colors." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Oct. 22, 1905. Page 12.</ref> | ||
==Related Happenings== | ==Related Happenings== | ||
Olentangy Park manager J. W. Dusenbury was also a lessee of nearby Minerva Park. He kept Minerva Park closed while Olentangy Park was open despite it comprising of 159 acres and having attractions such as a dancing pavilion, lake, Figure Eight roller coaster, and bandstand. The Columbus members of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America sought the property as a possible location for a national headquarters.<ref>"P.O.S. of A. are Trying to Secure Minerva Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Olentangy Park manager J. W. Dusenbury was also a lessee of nearby Minerva Park. He kept Minerva Park closed while Olentangy Park was open, despite it comprising of 159 acres and having attractions such as a dancing pavilion, lake, Figure Eight roller coaster, and bandstand. The Columbus members of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America sought the property as a possible location for a national headquarters.<ref>"P.O.S. of A. are Trying to Secure Minerva Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 2, 1905. Page 2.</ref> | ||
Dusenbury purchased half an acre of land from John and Jennie Lowe on the east side of High Street, across from the park, for a summer hotel and clubhouse sometime after 1906.<ref>"Dusenbury Purchases New Park Hotel Site." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Dusenbury purchased half an acre of land from John and Jennie Lowe on the east side of High Street, across from the park, for a summer hotel and clubhouse sometime after 1906.<ref>"Dusenbury Purchases New Park Hotel Site." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 2, 1905. Page 2.</ref> | ||
==Rides and Attractions== | ==Rides and Attractions== | ||
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''Main Article:'' [[Fair Japan]] | ''Main Article:'' [[Fair Japan]] | ||
Park manager J. W. Dusenbury contracted Kushibiki Yumindo [published as Umeto Kushibiki] to build a Japanese Village exhibit on ten acres<ref name="opening" /> at the park,<ref name="historian"> | Park manager J. W. Dusenbury contracted Kushibiki Yumindo [published as Umeto Kushibiki] to build a Japanese Village exhibit on ten acres<ref name="opening" /> at the park,<ref name="historian">Barrett, Richard E. 1984. "Olentangy Park: Four Decades of Fun." ''Columbus and Central Ohio Historian No. 1.'' April 1984. Page 8.</ref> just north of the [[Figure Eight Toboggan]], replacing the [[Miniature Railway]]. Kushibiki built and equipped the "Fair Japan" on the Pike at the Saint Louis World's Fair. The attraction was a representation of the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, and featured a "toris," a square arch placed in front of Japanese temples; and an arched wishing bridge called the "Bonsai Bridge"; shops with Japanese souvenirs; and topiaries of swans and flamingos.<ref name="historian" /> It also included a "typical Japanese home" with a family living in the structure; an open stage with continuous performances by Japanese actors, tumblers, and jugglers; a bazaar; and tea houses staffed by Japanese women in costumes, where parkgoers removed their shoes before entering<ref name="historian" /> and could drink tea from porcelain cups.<ref name="geisha">"Geisha Girls are to be Attraction." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Jan. 2, 1905. Page 5.</ref><ref name="extended" /> The staff, performers, etc., were probably a mix of races and ethnicities but dressed and performed in the representational ways of the time period. | ||
Kushibiki worked with eight to | Kushibiki worked with eight to 15 other contractors from Japan, starting in January, with a planned completion by May 10, a few days before the park's originally planned opening on May 14.<ref name="geisha" /> When the park opened on April 30, the exhibit wasn't finished and remained closed for the first week, opening on May 7.<ref>"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 2, 1905. Page 4.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 7, 1905. Page 6.</ref> Overall, 40 Japanese men and women came to Columbus to reconstruct the exhibit.<ref name="historian" /> | ||
While Creatore's Italian Band performed during the opening of the park, vaudeville acts | While Creatore's Italian Band performed during the opening of the park, vaudeville acts took place in the Fair Japan exhibition area.<ref>''The Billboard.'' June 24, 1905. Vol. 17. Issue 25. Page 8.</ref> | ||
===New Floral Conservatory and Greenhouses=== | === New Floral Conservatory and Greenhouses === | ||
''Main Article:'' [[Floral Conservatory]] | ''Main Article:'' [[Floral Conservatory]] | ||
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===Trained Animal Circus=== | ===Trained Animal Circus=== | ||
The 1905 season | The 1905 season featured open-air performances every afternoon and evening by trained dogs, ponies, monkeys, and animals formerly with the Long Bros. Animal Show. Burros, donkeys, bears, and other trained animals were added. The circus was under the management of C. H. Long, formerly of the Long Bros. Circus. The show incorporated the pony and camel track, where parkgoers could ride camels, ponies, donkeys, and burros hitched to small carts.<ref name="opening" /> | ||
===Boathouse=== | ===Boathouse=== | ||
''Main Article:'' [[Boathouse]] | ''Main Article:'' [[Boathouse]] | ||
On May 21, Amelia Wylie, a ticket seller at the boathouse, lost control of her skiff and became caught in the current of the Olentangy River. She lost hold of the skiff and ended up in the turbulent pool at the foot of the five-foot waterfall. Several people tried to save her before going over the edge but had to instead run ahead to where her body reappeared, and the water was shallow enough to rescue her. They were able to resuscitate her, and she fully recovered.<ref>"Saved From Death in Olentangy Dam Pool." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | On May 21, Amelia Wylie, a ticket seller at the boathouse, lost control of her skiff and became caught in the current of the Olentangy River. She lost hold of the skiff and ended up in the turbulent pool at the foot of the five-foot waterfall. Several people tried to save her before going over the edge, but had to instead run ahead to where her body reappeared, and the water was shallow enough to rescue her. They were able to resuscitate her, and she fully recovered.<ref>"Saved From Death in Olentangy Dam Pool." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 21, 1905. Pages 1-2.</ref> | ||
===Zoo=== | ===Zoo=== | ||
Dusenbury purchased much of the Hagenbeck Animal Show, which was exhibited at the Saint Louis World's Fair, thereby increasing the size of the Zoo for the season. The new animals included four sea lions, a rare sloth bear, a number of pheasants, pelicans, white and black swans, storks, cranes, seagulls, geese from the Straits of Magellan, and other aquatic birds. They were housed in open cages at the south end of the park. The elk and deer were moved from the east side to the south end of the park grounds.<ref name="extended" /> In April, Dusenbury brought a giant alligator, shipped from Poro, Florida, to the zoo. It was {{Tooltip |text = 13.5 feet|tooltip = 4.1 meters}} long and was the largest one in captivity at the time. The largest in any other zoo was said to be just over {{Tooltip |text = 11 feet|tooltip = 3.4 meters}} long. The Olentangy Park gator was {{Tooltip |text = 1,100 pounds|tooltip = almost 500 kilograms}} and came by express and cost the company {{Tooltip |text = $81.65|tooltip = $2,983 in 2025 dollars}} to ship.<ref>"With Jaws Tightly Tied and His Feet Lashed Together." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 10, 1905. Page 6.</ref> A Russian bear, a number of monkeys, lemurs, marmosets, agoutis, rare birds, and six Shetland ponies were added a week before the park's opening. This brought the number of ponies up to 42, and they were used at the Trained Animal Circus.<ref>"Olentangy Opening." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' April 23, 1905. Page 6.</ref> By July, the zoo occupied 20 acres of the park.<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 8, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | |||
Dusenbury purchased much of the | |||
===Other Rides and Attractions=== | ===Other Rides and Attractions=== | ||
* [[Bandstand ( | * [[Bandstand (1)|Bandstand]] | ||
* [[Bathing Pavilion]] | * [[Bathing Pavilion]] | ||
* [[Boathouse]] | * [[Boathouse]] | ||
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* [[Mystic Castle]] | * [[Mystic Castle]] | ||
* [[Ye Olde Mill (1)|Ye Olde Mill]] | * [[Ye Olde Mill (1)|Ye Olde Mill]] | ||
* | * Palm Garden '''NEW''' | ||
* | * Pony and Camel Track | ||
* [[Shooting Gallery]] | * [[Shooting Gallery]] | ||
* Swings | * Swings | ||
* [[Water Toboggan]] | * [[Water Toboggan]] | ||
* | * Zoological Garden | ||
==Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances== | ==Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances== | ||
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''Main Article:'' [[Olentangy Park Casino and Theater]] | ''Main Article:'' [[Olentangy Park Casino and Theater]] | ||
The Dusenbury Brothers traveled to New York in February to book the vaudeville attractions for the season. Signor A. Liberati's Grand Military Band and the Operatic Concert Company of New York City performed the opening week of the theater | The Dusenbury Brothers traveled to New York in February to book the vaudeville attractions for the season. Signor A. Liberati's Grand Military Band and the Operatic Concert Company of New York City performed the opening week of the theater, which started May 14. The band had 50 musicians and vocalists.<ref name="extended" /><ref>"Opening Bill at Olentangy." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 3, 1905. Page 9.</ref><ref>"Amusements: Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 5, 1905. Page 4.</ref><ref>''The Sunday Columbus Dispatch.'' May 7, 1905. Page 7.</ref> | ||
Reserved seats were 25 and 50 cents | Reserved seats were {{Tooltip |text = 25 cents|tooltip = $9.13 in 2025 dollars}} and {{Tooltip |text = 50 cents|tooltip = $18.27 in 2025 dollars}}.<ref>Advertisement, ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 5, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
Creatore and his Italian Band returned to perform twice per day for two weeks starting Friday, June 9, as part of the park's Music Festival.<ref name="creatore">"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | Creatore and his Italian Band returned to perform twice per day for two weeks starting Friday, June 9, as part of the park's Music Festival.<ref name="creatore">"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 8, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
===Vaudeville=== | ===Vaudeville=== | ||
The vaudeville season began on May 21, with two sets of performances daily throughout the season.<ref name="vaudeville">"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 20, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | |||
====Week of May 21==== | ====Week of May 21==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref name="vaudeville" /><ref>Advertisement, ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref name="vaudeville" /><ref>Advertisement, ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 22, 1905. Page 4.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 26, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Rozinos, comedy acrobats, performing on a billiard table | * Rozinos, comedy acrobats, performing on a billiard table | ||
* The Herald Square Comedy Four, a quartet | * The Herald Square Comedy Four, a quartet | ||
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====Week of May 28==== | ====Week of May 28==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 28, 1905. Page 5.</ref><ref>Advertisement. ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 1, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* The Musical Avolos, xylophone players | * The Musical Avolos, xylophone players | ||
* Lester and Moure, comedy sketch called "A Day at the Beach" | * Lester and Moure, comedy sketch called "A Day at the Beach" | ||
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====Week of June 4==== | ====Week of June 4==== | ||
The vaudeville acts performed in Fair Japan while Creatore performed at the theater.<ref>"News of the City." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | The vaudeville acts performed in Fair Japan, while Creatore performed at the theater.<ref>"News of the City." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 11, 1905. Page 7.</ref> | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 4, 1905. Page 6.</ref> | ||
* Miron and Pearl, eccentric comedy | * Miron and Pearl, eccentric comedy | ||
* Sabel Johnson, singing comedienne | * Sabel Johnson, singing comedienne | ||
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====Week of June 26==== | ====Week of June 26==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 26, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Lockhart's Trained Elephants | * Lockhart's Trained Elephants | ||
* Mr. and Mrs. Cal Stewart in their comedy sketch, "Uncle Josh on the Bowery" | * Mr. and Mrs. Cal Stewart in their comedy sketch, "Uncle Josh on the Bowery" | ||
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====Week of July 2==== | ====Week of July 2==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 2, 1905. Page 5.</ref> | ||
* Mr. and Mrs. Perkins Fisher in a sketch, "The Half-Way House," written by comedian Ezra Kendall | * Mr. and Mrs. Perkins Fisher in a sketch, "The Half-Way House," written by comedian Ezra Kendall | ||
* J. Aldrich Libby and Katherine Trayer, musical sketch team | * J. Aldrich Libby and Katherine Trayer, musical sketch team | ||
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====Week of July 9==== | ====Week of July 9==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 9, 1905. Page 5.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 10, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Richard Barry and Virginia Johnson, comedy skit named "Held for Ransom" | * Richard Barry and Virginia Johnson, comedy skit named "Held for Ransom" | ||
* The Faust Family, acrobatics | * The Faust Family, acrobatics | ||
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====Week of July 16==== | ====Week of July 16==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 16, 1905. Page 5.</ref> | ||
* Smith and Fuller, musical act | * Smith and Fuller, a musical act | ||
* Anna Gordon (nee Abbott), The Magnetic Wonder, magnetism act | * Anna Gordon (nee Abbott), The Magnetic Wonder, magnetism act | ||
* Famous Metropolitan Four, also known as the Comedy Four, singing quartet | * Famous Metropolitan Four, also known as the Comedy Four, a singing quartet | ||
* Hendrix and Prescott, dancing and singing | * Hendrix and Prescott, dancing and singing | ||
* Manning and Drew, in the comedy sketch "The Irish Pawnbroker" | * Manning and Drew, in the comedy sketch "The Irish Pawnbroker" | ||
====Week of July 23==== | ====Week of July 23==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 23, 1905. Page 6.</ref><ref name="july24">"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 23, 1905. Page 6.</ref><ref name="july24">"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 24, 1905. Page 4.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 25, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Myles McCarthy and Alda Woolcott, in "The Race Tout's Dream" | * Myles McCarthy and Alda Woolcott, in "The Race Tout's Dream" | ||
* Henderson and Ross, in "Fun at Griggs' Corners" | * Henderson and Ross, in "Fun at Griggs' Corners" | ||
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====Week of July 30==== | ====Week of July 30==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref name="july30">"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref name="july30">"Olentangy Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' July 30, 1905. Page 6.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 31, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Dixon, Bowers, and Leon, acrobatic comedy act | * Dixon, Bowers, and Leon, an acrobatic comedy act | ||
* Claude and Fanny Usher, in their interpretation of "In Tough Love," a comedy sketch | * Claude and Fanny Usher, in their interpretation of "In Tough Love," a comedy sketch | ||
* Billy Link, blackface comedian | * Billy Link, blackface comedian | ||
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* Grace Leonard, impersonator and singer | * Grace Leonard, impersonator and singer | ||
* Minor and Galbreath, comedians | * Minor and Galbreath, comedians | ||
* Mlle Latina, known as the "Physical Culture Girl," | * Mlle Latina, known as the "Physical Culture Girl," a gymnastics act | ||
* The Faust Family (with Billy Link, starting July 31) | * The Faust Family (with Billy Link, starting July 31) | ||
====Week of | ====Week of Aug. 6==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Aug. 6, 1905. Page 6.</ref> | ||
* Mr. and Mrs. Neil Litchfield, in "Down at Brook Farm" | * Mr. and Mrs. Neil Litchfield, in "Down at Brook Farm" | ||
* Petching Brothers, in a musical act called "The Musical Flower Garden" | * Petching Brothers, in a musical act called "The Musical Flower Garden" | ||
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The Vitagraph showed a new picture. | The Vitagraph showed a new picture. | ||
====Week of | ====Week of Aug. 13==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Aug. 13, 1905. Page 6.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 14, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Mardo Brothers, three-person comedy | * Mardo Brothers, a three-person comedy acrobatic act | ||
* Grace Jones, singer | * Grace Jones, singer | ||
* Haight and Dean, in a skit called "A Misfit Meeting" | * Haight and Dean, in a skit called "A Misfit Meeting" | ||
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* Golden and Hughes, blackface performance | * Golden and Hughes, blackface performance | ||
====Week of | ====Week of Aug. 20==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref name="aug20">"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref name="aug20">"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Aug. 20, 1905. Page 6.</ref><ref name="aug21">"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 21, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Marriott Twins, juggling and spinning bicycles | * Marriott Twins, juggling and spinning bicycles | ||
* Emerson and Omega, comedy sketch, "Don't Notice It" | * Emerson and Omega, comedy sketch, "Don't Notice It" | ||
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* Camille Personi, comedienne | * Camille Personi, comedienne | ||
* Faust Family, musical acrobatic act | * Faust Family, musical acrobatic act | ||
* Mardo Brothers, three-person comedy | * Mardo Brothers, a three-person comedy acrobatic act | ||
The Vitagraph showed a new picture. | The Vitagraph showed a new picture. | ||
====Week of | ====Week of Sept. 3==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref>"Olentangy Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Sept. 4, 1905. Page 4.</ref><ref>"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Sept. 6, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
* Four Juggling Mortons | * Four Juggling Mortons | ||
* Campbell, Dillon, and Campbell, musicians | * Campbell, Dillon, and Campbell, musicians | ||
* Herbert and Willing, blackface comedy sketch (until | * Herbert and Willing, blackface comedy sketch (until Sept. 11) | ||
* Walter Stanton, "The Giant Rooster" | * Walter Stanton, "The Giant Rooster" | ||
* Tid Seymour & Company, Irish comedy skit | * Tid Seymour & Company, Irish comedy skit | ||
* Mae Carleton, singing | * Mae Carleton, singing | ||
====Week of | ====Week of Sept. 10 (Closing Week)==== | ||
Acts and performances:<ref name="sept10">"Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | Acts and performances:<ref name="sept10">"Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Sept. 10, 1905. Page 6.</ref><ref>"Last Vaudeville of Season." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Sept. 17, 1905. Page 6.</ref> | ||
* Rappo Sisters, from the Imperial Queen Opera House in St. Petersburg, dancing | * Rappo Sisters, from the Imperial Queen Opera House in St. Petersburg, dancing | ||
* Circassian and Cossack, costumed dancing | * Circassian and Cossack, costumed dancing | ||
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===Stunts=== | ===Stunts=== | ||
Edwards and Glenwood performed wire walking and revolving | Edwards and Glenwood performed a wire walking and revolving ladder act on the dog and pony circus grounds the week of July 23.<ref name="july24" /> | ||
The Great Diavolo (played by G. F. Matthiessen)<ref>Photo. ''Columbus Evening Dispatch | The Great Diavolo (played by G. F. Matthiessen)<ref>Photo. ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 13, 1905. Page 6.</ref>) performed the Loop-the-Loop with a bicycle twice daily from July 30 to Aug. 19. Arthur T. Prescott, an American civil engineer, designed the loop. The man playing the character, Diavolo, dressed as a devil and performed the stunt previously with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus.<ref name="july30" /> His performances brought record attendance to the park.<ref>"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 10, 1905. Page 4.</ref> | ||
"Prodigious Porthos" (also played by G. F. Matthiessen) performed "Leaping the Gap," where he rode a unicycle down an incline starting at 75 feet above the ground to a ramp, taking him back up 30 feet where he soars through the air to the other side 50 feet away. He performed this stunt from | "Prodigious Porthos" (also played by G. F. Matthiessen) performed "Leaping the Gap," where he rode a unicycle down an incline starting at 75 feet above the ground to a ramp, taking him back up 30 feet, where he soars through the air to the other side 50 feet away. He performed this stunt from Aug. 20-27.<ref name="aug20" /><ref name="aug21" /> On July 22, a small black and white fox terrier ran out under the incline Matthiessen lands, and the performer almost missed the landing.<ref>"Dog Trots Out on Deavolo's Track." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' August 23, 1905. Page 5.</ref> | ||
Professor Ed. R. Hutchinson, an aeronaut, performed | Professor Ed. R. Hutchinson, an aeronaut, performed Aug. 27 through Sept. 2.<ref name="kilties" /> The balloon ascensions include shooting fireworks from the craft and parachuting from it.<ref>"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 29, 1905. Page 4.</ref> A woman named Edith N. Reichard convinced Hutchinson to allow her and aeronaut Professor J. A. Kelley of Philadelphia to perform as well. She landed in telegraph lines and needed rescue on her first day, but she and her husband, a painter, planned to become professional aeronauts.<ref>"Mrs. Reichard had Trying Experience as an Aeronaut." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Sept. 4, 1905. Page 6.</ref> | ||
==Music== | ==Music== | ||
Creatore's Italian | Creatore's Italian Band performed during the park's opening for two weeks. Signor A. Liberati's Grand Military Band and the Operatic Concert Company of New York City performed the opening week of the theater, which started May 14. The week was also called "Musical Festival Week."<ref>"Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 11, 1905. Page 4.</ref> The band had 50 musicians and vocalists.<ref name="extended" /><ref>"Opening Bill at Olentangy." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 3, 1905. Page 9.</ref><ref>"Amusements: Olentangy Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 5, 1905. Page 4.</ref><ref>''The Sunday Columbus Dispatch.'' May 7, 1905. Page 7.</ref> Featured vocalists included Marie Valdes from the French Opera Company of New Orleans and Bernard Beque from the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York City.<ref>"Olentangy Park Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 14, 1905. Pages 6-7.</ref> | ||
W. W. Prosser of Columbus returned to manage the theater for another season.<ref>''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | W. W. Prosser of Columbus returned to manage the theater for another season.<ref>''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' April 2, 1905. Page 6.</ref> Musical performances were held twice a day.<ref name="opening" /> Burt Cutler directed the park band starting on June 4.<ref>Advertisement. ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' June 4, 1905. Page 7.</ref> | ||
Creatore and his Italian Band returned to perform twice per day at the theater for two weeks starting Friday, June 9, as part of the park's Music Festival.<ref name="creatore" /> Soprano Mme. Barili performed with the band.<ref>Photograph, ''The Sunday Columbus Dispatch | Creatore and his Italian Band returned to perform twice per day at the theater for two weeks starting Friday, June 9, as part of the park's Music Festival.<ref name="creatore" /> Soprano Mme. Barili performed with the band.<ref>Photograph, ''The Sunday Columbus Dispatch.'' June 18, 1905. Page 6.</ref> | ||
The Kitties Band of Belleville, led by B. D. Gilliard<ref name="kilties">"Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch | The Kitties Band of Belleville, led by B. D. Gilliard<ref name="kilties">"Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' Aug. 27, 1905. Page 6.</ref>, performed from Aug. 27 through Sept. 4.<ref name="aug20" /><ref>"Kilties Are Coming." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' Aug. 24, 1905. Page 7.</ref> The band's choir had twenty members.<ref name="kilties" /> | ||
Creatore's band returned for two performances on Sunday, | Creatore's band returned for two performances on Sunday, Sept. 24.<ref name="sept10" /> | ||
==Activities== | ==Activities== | ||
| Line 296: | Line 291: | ||
* [[Canoe Club Boathouse|Boating]] | * [[Canoe Club Boathouse|Boating]] | ||
* [[Bowling alleys|Bowling]] - All year activity | * [[Bowling alleys|Bowling]] - All year activity | ||
* [[Dancing Pavilion ( | * [[Dancing Pavilion (1)|Dancing]] | ||
* Dining and Refreshments | * Dining and Refreshments | ||
* [[Ball Grounds|Football]] | * [[Ball Grounds|Football]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:17, 6 October 2025
1905 Season
| Leadership | The Olentangy Park Company Joseph W. Dusenbury, president William J. Dusenbury, manager |
|---|---|
| Season | April 30, 1905 - October 1905 |
| New Attractions | Fair Japan or Japanese Village Floral Conservatory and Greenhouse Open-Air Circus Palm Garden |
| Theater Manager | William W. Prosser |
| Band(s) | Creatore's Italian Band |
| Park Size | 100 acres |
Olentangy Park, Theater, and Zoological Garden opened for the 1905 season on Sunday, April 30, 1905.[1][2] Creatore's Italian Band performed during the opening weeks at the theater.[3] Admission to the park was 5 cents$1.83 in 2025 dollars and included "free admission" to the Zoo, Museum of Ornithology, band concerts, and the Dog and Pony Circus.[4] The theater closed for the season on Sept. 17, 1905.[5][6] The Fair Japan, the Japanese village, closed for the season on Sept. 24, 1905, and the park sometime in October.[7]
Park Improvements
To make room for the growth of the zoo (see rides and attractions), the park grounds were extended to Doddridge Street, and the meadowlands on each side of the Glen Echo Run [published as "the river"] were added and beautified. More electric lights were strung over the grounds and along the river. Arches of incandescent lights were also added.[3] The paths were newly graveled, and all buildings were freshly painted. Deep wells were built to provide cold drinking water to patrons.[2] The park was almost 100 acres.[8]
For ride and attraction changes, see the Rides and Attractions section.
Notable Events
Animal Escape
William Collins, the "animal man" at the park, was in a violent struggle with an escaped grey wolf that had been brought in from the Bronx Zoo in New York. The original cage for the wolf needed repairs, so the animal was placed in a temporary wooden cage with iron bars. The day before the attack, a rainstorm made the wood weak enough for the wolf to gnaw through and escape. The night watchmen saw it and gathered the night and day forces to capture it. Collins had a history with circuses, so he was called for his expertise. Collins chased the animal down to the Olentangy River bank and tried to restrain it with a rope and nose chain. The wolf bit Collins repeatedly on the hands and arms before he could place the nose chain. This all happened at night in the rain, lit by a lantern that was knocked out in the struggle. Collins was able to return it to a cage and later healed from his wounds.[9]
15th/16th District Republican Convention
About 150 delegates from Muskingum, Perry, Delaware, and Licking counties went to Olentangy Park on Aug. 8 to nominate a Republican candidate for state senator from their districts.[10] During the event, Secretary George H. Hamilton claimed that a member of the Licking County delegation offered him a check for $500$18,265 in 2025 dollars to vote for Charles E. Cochran of near Dresden. The offer was said to have taken place behind the Park Hotel in New Lexington.[11]
Injuries
On July 6, during an outing for orphans and poor children hosted by the Salvation Army, Eral Roach became dizzy while riding the merry-go-round and fell from a horse. He was badly shaken and bruised but recovered.[12]
Lawsuits
Binzo Suzuki and Sohechi Iida sued J. W. Dusenbury for $1,102$40,256 in 2025 dollars for Japanese goods and merchandise that furnished Fair Japan. The Aquarama Company also sued Dusenbury for not paying its agreed-upon percentages derived from the operation of the Ye Olde Mill ride.[13]
Japanese watercolor artist F. J. Baske and ten other Japanese workers at Olentangy Park sued Dusenbury for not paying them for their final month and a half of work. Dusenbury told them he'd pay after meeting with the Fair Japan architect, Kushibiki Yumindo, but the workers did not believe Kushibiki would come to Columbus. This underpayment led to Baske selling his paintings so the group could stay in Columbus or travel to New York.[14]
Related Happenings
Olentangy Park manager J. W. Dusenbury was also a lessee of nearby Minerva Park. He kept Minerva Park closed while Olentangy Park was open, despite it comprising of 159 acres and having attractions such as a dancing pavilion, lake, Figure Eight roller coaster, and bandstand. The Columbus members of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America sought the property as a possible location for a national headquarters.[15]
Dusenbury purchased half an acre of land from John and Jennie Lowe on the east side of High Street, across from the park, for a summer hotel and clubhouse sometime after 1906.[16]
Rides and Attractions
New Fair Japan
Main Article: Fair Japan
Park manager J. W. Dusenbury contracted Kushibiki Yumindo [published as Umeto Kushibiki] to build a Japanese Village exhibit on ten acres[2] at the park,[17] just north of the Figure Eight Toboggan, replacing the Miniature Railway. Kushibiki built and equipped the "Fair Japan" on the Pike at the Saint Louis World's Fair. The attraction was a representation of the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, and featured a "toris," a square arch placed in front of Japanese temples; and an arched wishing bridge called the "Bonsai Bridge"; shops with Japanese souvenirs; and topiaries of swans and flamingos.[17] It also included a "typical Japanese home" with a family living in the structure; an open stage with continuous performances by Japanese actors, tumblers, and jugglers; a bazaar; and tea houses staffed by Japanese women in costumes, where parkgoers removed their shoes before entering[17] and could drink tea from porcelain cups.[18][3] The staff, performers, etc., were probably a mix of races and ethnicities but dressed and performed in the representational ways of the time period.
Kushibiki worked with eight to 15 other contractors from Japan, starting in January, with a planned completion by May 10, a few days before the park's originally planned opening on May 14.[18] When the park opened on April 30, the exhibit wasn't finished and remained closed for the first week, opening on May 7.[19][20] Overall, 40 Japanese men and women came to Columbus to reconstruct the exhibit.[17]
While Creatore's Italian Band performed during the opening of the park, vaudeville acts took place in the Fair Japan exhibition area.[21]
New Floral Conservatory and Greenhouses
Main Article: Floral Conservatory
Three new Greenhouses were built south of the pheasant cages and were stocked with plants of the California and Ohio exhibits of the Saint Louis World's Fair.[3] The main greenhouse was a large glass conservatory.[2]
Trained Animal Circus
The 1905 season featured open-air performances every afternoon and evening by trained dogs, ponies, monkeys, and animals formerly with the Long Bros. Animal Show. Burros, donkeys, bears, and other trained animals were added. The circus was under the management of C. H. Long, formerly of the Long Bros. Circus. The show incorporated the pony and camel track, where parkgoers could ride camels, ponies, donkeys, and burros hitched to small carts.[2]
Boathouse
Main Article: Boathouse
On May 21, Amelia Wylie, a ticket seller at the boathouse, lost control of her skiff and became caught in the current of the Olentangy River. She lost hold of the skiff and ended up in the turbulent pool at the foot of the five-foot waterfall. Several people tried to save her before going over the edge, but had to instead run ahead to where her body reappeared, and the water was shallow enough to rescue her. They were able to resuscitate her, and she fully recovered.[22]
Zoo
Dusenbury purchased much of the Hagenbeck Animal Show, which was exhibited at the Saint Louis World's Fair, thereby increasing the size of the Zoo for the season. The new animals included four sea lions, a rare sloth bear, a number of pheasants, pelicans, white and black swans, storks, cranes, seagulls, geese from the Straits of Magellan, and other aquatic birds. They were housed in open cages at the south end of the park. The elk and deer were moved from the east side to the south end of the park grounds.[3] In April, Dusenbury brought a giant alligator, shipped from Poro, Florida, to the zoo. It was 13.5 feet4.1 meters long and was the largest one in captivity at the time. The largest in any other zoo was said to be just over 11 feet3.4 meters long. The Olentangy Park gator was 1,100 poundsalmost 500 kilograms and came by express and cost the company $81.65$2,983 in 2025 dollars to ship.[23] A Russian bear, a number of monkeys, lemurs, marmosets, agoutis, rare birds, and six Shetland ponies were added a week before the park's opening. This brought the number of ponies up to 42, and they were used at the Trained Animal Circus.[24] By July, the zoo occupied 20 acres of the park.[25]
Other Rides and Attractions
- Bandstand
- Bathing Pavilion
- Boathouse
- Bowling alleys
- Circle Swing
- Colonnade
- Dancing Pavilion
- Fair Japan NEW
- Ferris Wheel
- Figure Eight Toboggan
- Floral Conservatory & Greenhouse NEW
- Laughing Gallery
- Merry-Go-Round
- Miniature Railway
- Museum of Ornithology
- Mystic Castle
- Ye Olde Mill
- Palm Garden NEW
- Pony and Camel Track
- Shooting Gallery
- Swings
- Water Toboggan
- Zoological Garden
Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances
Olentangy Park Theater
Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater
The Dusenbury Brothers traveled to New York in February to book the vaudeville attractions for the season. Signor A. Liberati's Grand Military Band and the Operatic Concert Company of New York City performed the opening week of the theater, which started May 14. The band had 50 musicians and vocalists.[3][26][27][28]
Reserved seats were 25 cents$9.13 in 2025 dollars and 50 cents$18.27 in 2025 dollars.[29]
Creatore and his Italian Band returned to perform twice per day for two weeks starting Friday, June 9, as part of the park's Music Festival.[30]
Vaudeville
The vaudeville season began on May 21, with two sets of performances daily throughout the season.[31]
Week of May 21
Acts and performances:[31][32][33]
- Rozinos, comedy acrobats, performing on a billiard table
- The Herald Square Comedy Four, a quartet
- Daly and Kelso, blackface actors
- Gladys Van, singing comedienne
- The Three Nudos, acrobats
- Ben Omar, "The Human Top"
- Harris and De Loss, acrobatic dancers
- Prince Kokitchi Shimizu, Japanese wire walker
The Vitagraph featured "The Moonshiners."
Week of May 28
Acts and performances:[34][35]
- The Musical Avolos, xylophone players
- Lester and Moure, comedy sketch called "A Day at the Beach"
- Constantineau and Lawrence, dancing
- Dilla and Templeton, contortionists
- Kitty Bingham, singing comedienne
- Prince Kokitchi Shimizu, Japanese wire walker
- Grant Gardner and Marie Stoddart, comedy sketch
The Vitagraph featured "The Incendiary."
Week of June 4
The vaudeville acts performed in Fair Japan, while Creatore performed at the theater.[36]
Acts and performances:[37]
- Miron and Pearl, eccentric comedy
- Sabel Johnson, singing comedienne
- Fred Russell, comedy, monologue, and singing
- Howard and Trusdell, comedy sketches
- Three Troubadors, singing
- Ethardo, equibrilist
Week of June 26
Acts and performances:[38]
- Lockhart's Trained Elephants
- Mr. and Mrs. Cal Stewart in their comedy sketch, "Uncle Josh on the Bowery"
- Flo Adler, singing comedienne
- Burton and Brooks, singing and talking act
- Inness and Ryan
- O'Brien and Dunio, Irish comedy
- Great Milmar Brothers
- Vitagraph
- Japanese Wedding (at Fair Japan)
Week of July 2
Acts and performances:[39]
- Mr. and Mrs. Perkins Fisher in a sketch, "The Half-Way House," written by comedian Ezra Kendall
- J. Aldrich Libby and Katherine Trayer, musical sketch team
- Charles McDonald, monologist
- Zoe Mathews, singing comedienne
- Emma Cotrely, European juggler
- Antonio Van Gofre, mouth equilibrist and balancer
- Oram and Oram
- The Pelots, comedy jugglers
The Vitagraph showed a new picture.
Week of July 9
Acts and performances:[40][41]
- Richard Barry and Virginia Johnson, comedy skit named "Held for Ransom"
- The Faust Family, acrobatics
- Bush and Gordon, eccentric acrobats
- Rose Vandalour, banjo music (starting July 10)
- Keeley Sisters, entertainers
- Walter Stanton, dressed and performed as a giant rooster
- Cleveland Quartette (starting July 10)
Week of July 16
Acts and performances:[42]
- Smith and Fuller, a musical act
- Anna Gordon (nee Abbott), The Magnetic Wonder, magnetism act
- Famous Metropolitan Four, also known as the Comedy Four, a singing quartet
- Hendrix and Prescott, dancing and singing
- Manning and Drew, in the comedy sketch "The Irish Pawnbroker"
Week of July 23
Acts and performances:[43][44][45]
- Myles McCarthy and Alda Woolcott, in "The Race Tout's Dream"
- Henderson and Ross, in "Fun at Griggs' Corners"
- Herbert and Willing, blackface comedians and dancers
- Fayble, contortionist
- Smirl and Kessner, in "The Bell Boy and the Waiting Maid," included trick tumbling, fancy dancing, and acrobatic buck dancing along with their trained Maltese poodle, Pinkie
- Trocadero Quartet, in "The Telephone Agent," a blackface singing and comedy act
Week of July 30
Acts and performances:[46][47]
- Dixon, Bowers, and Leon, an acrobatic comedy act
- Claude and Fanny Usher, in their interpretation of "In Tough Love," a comedy sketch
- Billy Link, blackface comedian
- Frank C. Young and Bessie Devoie, soft shoe dancing
- Grace Leonard, impersonator and singer
- Minor and Galbreath, comedians
- Mlle Latina, known as the "Physical Culture Girl," a gymnastics act
- The Faust Family (with Billy Link, starting July 31)
Week of Aug. 6
Acts and performances:[48]
- Mr. and Mrs. Neil Litchfield, in "Down at Brook Farm"
- Petching Brothers, in a musical act called "The Musical Flower Garden"
- Charlotte Ravenscroft, violinist
- Milliard Brothers, comedy bicyclists
- The Four Dancing Heiresses
- Herman and Byers, pantomime
The Vitagraph showed a new picture.
Week of Aug. 13
Acts and performances:[49][50]
- Mardo Brothers, a three-person comedy acrobatic act
- Grace Jones, singer
- Haight and Dean, in a skit called "A Misfit Meeting"
- Desmob and Miller, dancing and singing
- Devaux and Devaux, musical artists
- Golden and Hughes, blackface performance
Week of Aug. 20
Acts and performances:[51][52]
- Marriott Twins, juggling and spinning bicycles
- Emerson and Omega, comedy sketch, "Don't Notice It"
- Foster and his dog, Mike
- Ed Hayes, blackface comedian
- Dowd and Snyder, blackface singing and dancing
- Camille Personi, comedienne
- Faust Family, musical acrobatic act
- Mardo Brothers, a three-person comedy acrobatic act
The Vitagraph showed a new picture.
Week of Sept. 3
Acts and performances:[53][54]
- Four Juggling Mortons
- Campbell, Dillon, and Campbell, musicians
- Herbert and Willing, blackface comedy sketch (until Sept. 11)
- Walter Stanton, "The Giant Rooster"
- Tid Seymour & Company, Irish comedy skit
- Mae Carleton, singing
Week of Sept. 10 (Closing Week)
Acts and performances:[55][56]
- Rappo Sisters, from the Imperial Queen Opera House in St. Petersburg, dancing
- Circassian and Cossack, costumed dancing
- Sadi Alferal, equilibrist
- Cassad and DeVerne, comedy
- Mexican Zamora Family, trapeze act
- Hardie Langdon, baritone singing
- James and Davis, singing and comedy
The Vitagraph showed a new picture.
Stunts
Edwards and Glenwood performed a wire walking and revolving ladder act on the dog and pony circus grounds the week of July 23.[44]
The Great Diavolo (played by G. F. Matthiessen)[57]) performed the Loop-the-Loop with a bicycle twice daily from July 30 to Aug. 19. Arthur T. Prescott, an American civil engineer, designed the loop. The man playing the character, Diavolo, dressed as a devil and performed the stunt previously with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus.[46] His performances brought record attendance to the park.[58]
"Prodigious Porthos" (also played by G. F. Matthiessen) performed "Leaping the Gap," where he rode a unicycle down an incline starting at 75 feet above the ground to a ramp, taking him back up 30 feet, where he soars through the air to the other side 50 feet away. He performed this stunt from Aug. 20-27.[51][52] On July 22, a small black and white fox terrier ran out under the incline Matthiessen lands, and the performer almost missed the landing.[59]
Professor Ed. R. Hutchinson, an aeronaut, performed Aug. 27 through Sept. 2.[60] The balloon ascensions include shooting fireworks from the craft and parachuting from it.[61] A woman named Edith N. Reichard convinced Hutchinson to allow her and aeronaut Professor J. A. Kelley of Philadelphia to perform as well. She landed in telegraph lines and needed rescue on her first day, but she and her husband, a painter, planned to become professional aeronauts.[62]
Music
Creatore's Italian Band performed during the park's opening for two weeks. Signor A. Liberati's Grand Military Band and the Operatic Concert Company of New York City performed the opening week of the theater, which started May 14. The week was also called "Musical Festival Week."[63] The band had 50 musicians and vocalists.[3][64][65][66] Featured vocalists included Marie Valdes from the French Opera Company of New Orleans and Bernard Beque from the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York City.[67]
W. W. Prosser of Columbus returned to manage the theater for another season.[68] Musical performances were held twice a day.[2] Burt Cutler directed the park band starting on June 4.[69]
Creatore and his Italian Band returned to perform twice per day at the theater for two weeks starting Friday, June 9, as part of the park's Music Festival.[30] Soprano Mme. Barili performed with the band.[70]
The Kitties Band of Belleville, led by B. D. Gilliard[60], performed from Aug. 27 through Sept. 4.[51][71] The band's choir had twenty members.[60]
Creatore's band returned for two performances on Sunday, Sept. 24.[55]
Activities
List of Activities
- Baseball
- Bathing
- Billiards
- Boating
- Bowling - All year activity
- Dancing
- Dining and Refreshments
- Football
- General Games
- Picnics
- Pony Rides
- Swimming
References
- ↑ Advertisement. Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 16, 1905. Page 7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Opening of Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 16, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Olentangy Park Will Be Extended to Doddridge St." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Feb. 18, 1905. Page 7.
- ↑ Advertisement, The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 9, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "For Next Year." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Aug. 20, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Sept. 9, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Sept. 23, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Columbus Railway & Light Co." Street Railway Review. Feb. 15, 1906. Vol. 16. Issue 2. Page 70.
- ↑ "Fights With Savage Wolf on River Bank." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 29, 1905. Page 1.
- ↑ "Senatorial Fight Reopens at Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 8, 1905. Page 2.
- ↑ "Bribery Charge Grows Out of the Senatorial Fight." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 9, 1905. Page 1.
- ↑ "Little Children of the Poor Have Day of Pleasure." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 6, 1905. Page 1.
- ↑ "Sue Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Sept. 10, 1905. Page 1.
- ↑ "Famous Exhibit of Water Colors." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Oct. 22, 1905. Page 12.
- ↑ "P.O.S. of A. are Trying to Secure Minerva Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 2, 1905. Page 2.
- ↑ "Dusenbury Purchases New Park Hotel Site." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 2, 1905. Page 2.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Barrett, Richard E. 1984. "Olentangy Park: Four Decades of Fun." Columbus and Central Ohio Historian No. 1. April 1984. Page 8.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Geisha Girls are to be Attraction." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Jan. 2, 1905. Page 5.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 2, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 7, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ The Billboard. June 24, 1905. Vol. 17. Issue 25. Page 8.
- ↑ "Saved From Death in Olentangy Dam Pool." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 21, 1905. Pages 1-2.
- ↑ "With Jaws Tightly Tied and His Feet Lashed Together." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 10, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Opening." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 23, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 8, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Opening Bill at Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 3, 1905. Page 9.
- ↑ "Amusements: Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 5, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ The Sunday Columbus Dispatch. May 7, 1905. Page 7.
- ↑ Advertisement, Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 5, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 8, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 20, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ Advertisement, Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 22, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 26, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 28, 1905. Page 5.
- ↑ Advertisement. Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 1, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "News of the City." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 11, 1905. Page 7.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 4, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 26, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 2, 1905. Page 5.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 9, 1905. Page 5.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 10, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 16, 1905. Page 5.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 23, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 24, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 25, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Olentangy Theater." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 30, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 31, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Aug. 6, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Aug. 13, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 14, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Aug. 20, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 21, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Sept. 4, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Sept. 6, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Sept. 10, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Last Vaudeville of Season." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Sept. 17, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ Photo. Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 13, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 10, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Dog Trots Out on Deavolo's Track." Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 23, 1905. Page 5.
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Aug. 27, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 29, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Mrs. Reichard had Trying Experience as an Aeronaut." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Sept. 4, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 11, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ "Opening Bill at Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 3, 1905. Page 9.
- ↑ "Amusements: Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 5, 1905. Page 4.
- ↑ The Sunday Columbus Dispatch. May 7, 1905. Page 7.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park Theater." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 14, 1905. Pages 6-7.
- ↑ The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 2, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 4, 1905. Page 7.
- ↑ Photograph, The Sunday Columbus Dispatch. June 18, 1905. Page 6.
- ↑ "Kilties Are Coming." Columbus Evening Dispatch. Aug. 24, 1905. Page 7.