1918 Season: Difference between revisions

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| management    = Will D. Harris Amusement Company<br />Will D. Harris, operating lessee<br />Jacob F. Luft, assistant manager<br /><br />The Olentangy Park Company<br />Joseph W. Dusenbury, president<br />William J. Dusenbury<br /><br />
| management    = Will D. Harris Amusement Company<br />Will D. Harris, operating lessee<br />Jacob F. Luft, assistant manager<br /><br />The Olentangy Park Company<br />Joseph W. Dusenbury, president<br />William J. Dusenbury<br /><br />
| openingday    = March 31, 1918 (Sundays)<br />May 5, 1918 (three days a week)<br />May 26, 1918 (daily)  
| openingday    = March 31, 1918 (Sundays)<br />May 5, 1918 (three days a week)<br />May 26, 1918 (daily)  
| closingday    = September 2, 1918 (Saturday & Sunday)
| closingday    = September 2, 1918 (weekends)
October 1918  
October 1918  
| newattractions = Ye Olde Mill (rebuilt)<br />Over-The-Top<br />The Whip  
| newattractions = Ye Olde Mill (rebuilt)<br />Over-The-Top<br />The Whip  
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}}
}}


Olentangy Park opened its season on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918. It was open on Sundays only at first.<ref name=":1" /> Due to demand, it opened on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays after May 5, with the Dance Pavilion open only on Sundays.<ref>"Park Open Three Days Weekly." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' May 5, 1918.</ref><ref name=":8">"Free Parking for Automobile." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' May 16, 1918. Page 20.</ref> The park fully opened for daily operation on May 26, 1918.<ref name=":1">"The New Olentangy." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' March 23, 1918.</ref> Charles Parker and his new fifteen-piece orchestra, "Harris' Olentangy Park Orchestra," performed in the Dancing Pavilion while Philip Cincione's Band gave free concerts throughout the season.<ref name=":2">"Good Music for the Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' March 31, 1918.</ref><ref name=":4">"Big Orchestra for Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' April 11, 1918. Page 22.</ref> Prices remained the same as the previous season.<ref>{{Cite news |articletitle = No Advance in Prices|pub = The Billboard|date = June 22, 1918|volume = 30|issue = 25|page = 29|accessedthrough = Internet Archive|url = https://archive.org/details/sim_billboard_1918-06-22_30_25/page/28/mode/2up}}</ref> Parking for automobiles was free, and 11,000 people visited on opening day despite it being so early in the year.<ref>"Olentangy Opens Earliest of Most American Parks." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' April 6, 1918. Page 12.</ref><ref name=":8" />
Olentangy Park opened its season on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918. It was open on Sundays only at first.<ref name=":1" /> Due to demand, it opened on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays after May 5, with the Dance Pavilion open only on Sundays.<ref>"Park Open Three Days Weekly." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 5, 1918.</ref><ref name=":8">"Free Parking for Automobile." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 16, 1918. Page 20.</ref> The park fully opened for daily operation on May 26, 1918.<ref name=":1">"The New Olentangy." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' March 23, 1918.</ref> Charles Parker and his new 15-piece orchestra, "Harris' Olentangy Park Orchestra," performed in the Dancing Pavilion while Philip Cincione's Band gave free concerts throughout the season.<ref name=":2">"Good Music for the Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' March 31, 1918.</ref><ref name=":4">"Big Orchestra for Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 11, 1918. Page 22.</ref> Prices remained the same as the previous season.<ref>{{Cite news |articletitle = No Advance in Prices|pub = The Billboard|date = June 22, 1918|volume = 30|issue = 25|page = 29|accessedthrough = Internet Archive|url = https://archive.org/details/sim_billboard_1918-06-22_30_25/page/28/mode/2up}}</ref> Parking for automobiles was free, and 11,000 people visited on opening day despite it being so early in the year.<ref>"Olentangy Opens Earliest of Most American Parks." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 6, 1918. Page 12.</ref><ref name=":8" />


Will D. Harris and his new company, Will D. Harris Amusement Company, leased the park from J. W. and W. J. Dusenbury, and their company, the Olentangy Park Company, maintained ownership. Harris organized the Will D. Harris Amusement Company to take over the park's management,<ref>"Incorporate Park Company." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' January 16, 1918. Page 9.</ref> signing the lease in January 1917, starting on March 5, 1917, and lasting four years and eight months. The total rental was $125,000 (over $3.12 million in 2025).<ref>"Park Lease Filed." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' January 18, 1918. Page 14.</ref> The Dusenbury Brothers retired from active business to go to France to do war work. They closed a lease on the Grand Opera House on State Street and the Vernon Theater on Mt. Vernon Avenue, both in Columbus. Harris leased the Grand. Jacob F. Luft and W. Shelly Pletcher leased the Vernon for four years starting May 5, 1918, managed by the latter. Harris paid $15,000 ($317,681) rent for the Grand and kept it a motion picture house. Luft was also hired by Harris as an assistant manager of the theater, Olentangy Park, and the Piccadilly Theater, also taken over by Harris.<ref>{{Cite news |articletitle = Dusenbury Brothers Will Go To France|pub = The Moving Picture World|date = May 11, 1918|page = 884|accessedthrough = Internet Archive|url = https://archive.org/details/movpicwor361movi/page/884/mode/2up}}</ref>
Will D. Harris and his new company, Will D. Harris Amusement Company, leased the park from J. W. and W. J. Dusenbury, and their company, the Olentangy Park Company, maintained ownership. Harris organized the Will D. Harris Amusement Company to take over the park's management,<ref>"Incorporate Park Company." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' January 16, 1918. Page 9.</ref> signing the lease in January 1917, starting on March 5, 1917, and lasting four years and eight months. The total rental was {{Tooltip |text = $125,000|tooltip = $2.66 million in 2025 dollars}}.<ref>"Park Lease Filed." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' January 18, 1918. Page 14.</ref> The Dusenbury Brothers retired from active business to go to France to do war work. They closed a lease on the Grand Opera House on State Street and the Vernon Theater on Mt. Vernon Avenue, both in Columbus. Harris leased the Grand. Jacob F. Luft and W. Shelly Pletcher leased the Vernon for four years starting May 5, 1918, managed by the latter. Harris paid {{Tooltip |text = $15,000|tooltip = $319,336 in 2025 dollars}} rent for the Grand and kept it a motion picture house. Luft was also hired by Harris as an assistant manager of the theater, Olentangy Park, and the Piccadilly Theater, also taken over by Harris.<ref>{{Cite news |articletitle = Dusenbury Brothers Will Go To France|pub = The Moving Picture World|date = May 11, 1918|page = 884|accessedthrough = Internet Archive|url = https://archive.org/details/movpicwor361movi/page/884/mode/2up}}</ref>


The park ended daily operation for the season on Labor Day, September 2, 1918, switching to Saturdays and Sundays only until October.<ref>"Park Open Till Labor Day." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' August 25, 1918.</ref><ref>"Park and Its Days." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' September 7, 1918. Page 12.</ref>
The park ended daily operation for the season on Labor Day, September 2, 1918, switching to Saturdays and Sundays only until October.<ref>"Park Open Till Labor Day." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' August 25, 1918.</ref><ref>"Park and Its Days." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' September 7, 1918. Page 12.</ref>


===Improvements to the Park===
===Improvements to the Park===
Manager Harris spent $250,000 (nearly $5.3 million in 2025) on improvements for the 1918 season<ref name=":1" /> adding two major attractions, Over-The-Top and The Whip, and rebuilding Ye Olde Mill.<ref name=":0">"Lavish Park Plans." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' September 23, 1917.</ref><ref name=":3">"Park Novelties." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' March 31, 1918.</ref><ref name=":2" /> The rides were repainted and checked for safety and the [[Swimming Pool]] was painted inside and out with white enamel.<ref>"Real Opening of Park Season." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' May 26, 1918.</ref>
Manager Harris spent {{Tooltip |text = $250,000|tooltip = $5.32 million in 2025 dollars}} on improvements for the 1918 season<ref name=":1" /> adding two major attractions, Over-The-Top and The Whip, and rebuilding Ye Olde Mill.<ref name=":0">"Lavish Park Plans." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' September 23, 1917.</ref><ref name=":3">"Park Novelties." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' March 31, 1918.</ref><ref name=":2" /> The rides were repainted and checked for safety and the [[Swimming Pool]] was painted inside and out with white enamel.<ref>"Real Opening of Park Season." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 26, 1918.</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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''Main Article:'' [[Over-the-Top / The Racer]]
''Main Article:'' [[Over-the-Top / The Racer]]


Manager Harris began building the Derby Racer.<ref name=":6">"Are You Going Over the Top?" ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' April 27, 1918. Page 12.</ref> Later named Over-The-Top, the racer roller coaster had two cars started at the same point in time, and the occupants of each raced to see who would win. Only four of these types were constructed in the world when the building began. The ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch'' claimed it was "one of the most expensive park rides that have been invented."<ref name=":0" /> It was 82 feet tall and 1.25 miles in track length.<ref name=":6" />
Manager Harris began building the Derby Racer.<ref name=":6">"Are You Going Over the Top?" ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 27, 1918. Page 12.</ref> Later named Over-The-Top, the racer roller coaster had two cars that started at the same point in time, and the occupants of each raced to see who would win. Only four of these types were constructed in the world when the building began. The ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch'' claimed it was "one of the most expensive park rides that have been invented."<ref name=":0" /> It was 82 feet tall and 1.25 miles in track length.<ref name=":6" />


===New Whip Ride===
===New Whip Ride===
''Main Article:'' [[The Whip]]
''Main Article:'' [[The Whip]]


The Whip was a flat ride where riders got whipped around the corners where they changed direction.
The Whip was a flat ride where riders got whipped around the corners, where they changed direction.


===Rebuilt Ye Olde Mill===
===Rebuilt Ye Olde Mill===
''Main Article:'' [[Ye Olde Mill (Second)]]
''Main Article:'' [[Ye Olde Mill (Second)]]


Ye Olde Mill was redesigned and rebuilt further north than the original ride with its name that burned down in 1911. The ride was built along new lines, and electrical lighting was installed throughout the ride, where riders encountered weird scenes.<ref name=":0" /> It was the only ride in the country at the time to use concrete channels for the water to carry boats "through the brilliantly-lighted and wonderfully-decorated channels, which extend in a zig-zag way for almost a mile."<ref name=":3" />
Ye Olde Mill was redesigned and rebuilt further north than the original ride, which burned down in 1911. The ride was built along new lines, and electrical lighting was installed throughout the ride, where riders encountered weird scenes.<ref name=":0" /> It was the only ride in the country at the time to use concrete channels for the water to carry boats "through the brilliantly-lighted and wonderfully-decorated channels, which extend in a zig-zag way for almost a mile."<ref name=":3" />


===List of Rides and Attractions===
===List of Rides and Attractions===
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* [[Bowling alleys|Bowling]]
* [[Bowling alleys|Bowling]]
* [[Box ball alleys|Box Ball]]
* [[Box ball alleys|Box Ball]]
* [[Dancing Pavilion (Second)|Dancing]]
* [[Dancing Pavilion (2)|Dancing]]
* Dining
* Dining
* Fishing
* Fishing
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== Theater Performances ==
== Theater Performances ==
Matt Grau gathered the Olentangy Park stock under the name of "Grau Musical Comedy Company"<ref name=":9">"Park to Open With 'The Firefly.'" ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' May 19, 1918.</ref> and the season was to begin the week of Monday, June 10, 1918,<ref name=":5">"Tenor Lend for Park Stock." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' April 24, 1918. Page 18.</ref><ref>"Park Stock Plan." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' May 5, 1918.</ref><ref name=":7">"Picking for Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' May 12, 1918.</ref> but the first show opened on Monday, June 3.<ref name=":9" /> Grau wanted musical comedy acts all season and spent close to $10,000 ($211,787 in 2025) per week to secure the actors.<ref name=":7" />
Matt Grau gathered the Olentangy Park stock under the name of "Grau Musical Comedy Company"<ref name=":9">"Park to Open With 'The Firefly.'" ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 19, 1918.</ref> and the season was to begin the week of Monday, June 10, 1918,<ref name=":5">"Tenor Lend for Park Stock." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' April 24, 1918. Page 18.</ref><ref>"Park Stock Plan." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 5, 1918.</ref><ref name=":7">"Picking for Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 12, 1918.</ref> but the first show opened on Monday, June 3.<ref name=":9" /> Grau wanted musical comedy acts all season and spent close to {{Tooltip |text = $10,000|tooltip = $211,787 in 2025 dollars}} per week to secure the actors.<ref name=":7" />


Before opening, the Northwood Avenue School presented "The Fairies of the Seasons" on May 17, and child star Verna Fulton performed "The Pipes of Pan."<ref>"Child Dancer in Fairy Operetta." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' May 17, 1918. Page 19.</ref>
Before opening, the Northwood Avenue School presented "The Fairies of the Seasons" on May 17, and child star Verna Fulton performed "The Pipes of Pan."<ref>"Child Dancer in Fairy Operetta." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 17, 1918. Page 19.</ref>


Indianola School performed "Bargain Day at Bloomstein's" starring Carrie Kilbourne and twenty-nine other dancing girls on June 1.<ref>"Pupils to Play at Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' May 30, 1918. Page 18.</ref>
Indianola School performed "Bargain Day at Bloomstein's" starring Carrie Kilbourne and twenty-nine other dancing girls on June 1.<ref>"Pupils to Play at Park." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 30, 1918. Page 18.</ref>


The theater company moved to the Grand Theater, owned by Will D. Harris, to continue performing through the winter.<ref>"Park Cast to Stay," ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' August 4, 1918.</ref>
The theater company moved to the Grand Theater, owned by Will D. Harris, to continue performing through the winter.<ref>"Park Cast to Stay," ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' August 4, 1918.</ref>


===Dispatch Contest===
===Dispatch Contest===
There were twenty-three pieces of a photograph in the May 26 issue of the ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch'' of "the pretty maidens from 'The Grau Musical Comedy Club.'"<ref>"Olentangy Park Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch,'' May 26, 1918. Page 25.</ref> Readers who cut out the pieces and placed them together properly could send them in to ''Dispatch'' with the advertisers' information to be entered into a contest with the following prizes:
There were twenty-three pieces of a photograph in the May 26 issue of the ''Columbus Sunday Dispatch'' of "the pretty maidens from 'The Grau Musical Comedy Club.'"<ref>"Olentangy Park Theater." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 26, 1918. Page 25.</ref> Readers who cut out the pieces and placed 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 3, June 10, and June 27, an $18 value ($381 in 2025)
*First place prize - One entire box for three performances on June 3, June 10, and June 27, an {{Tooltip |text = $18 value|tooltip = $381 in 2025 dollars}}
*Second place prize - One entire box for two performances on June 4 and June 11, a $12 value ($254)
*Second place prize - One entire box for two performances on June 4 and June 11, a {{Tooltip |text = $12 value|tooltip = $254 in 2025 dollars}}
*Third place prize - One entire box for Wednesday night, June 5, and two box seats for June 12 and June 19, a $10 value ($212)
*Third place prize - One entire box for Wednesday night, June 5, and two box seats for June 12 and June 19, a {{Tooltip |text = $10 value|tooltip = $212 in 2025 dollars}}
*Fourth place prize - One entire box for Monday night, June 3, and two box seats for June 10, a $8 value ($170)
*Fourth place prize - One entire box for Monday night, June 3, and two box seats for June 10, an {{Tooltip |text = $8 value|tooltip = $170 in 2025 dollars}}
*Fifth place prize - One entire box for Tuesday night, June 4, and two box seats for June 6, a $6 value ($127)
*Fifth place prize - One entire box for Tuesday night, June 4, and two box seats for June 6, a {{Tooltip |text = $6 value|tooltip = $127 in 2025 dollars}}
*25 other winners, a varying number of orchestra seat tickets for different performance dates, ranging from $1 to $3 ($21.18 to $63.54)
*25 other winners, a varying number of orchestra seat tickets for different performance dates, ranging from {{Tooltip |text = $1 to $3|tooltip = $21.18 to $63.54 in 2025 dollars}}
Winifred S. Fink was awarded first prize on June 2.<ref>"Winners in Theater Advertising Contest." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' June 2, 1918. Page 8.</ref>
Winifred S. Fink was awarded first prize on June 2.<ref>"Winners in Theater Advertising Contest." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 2, 1918. Page 8.</ref>


=== Members ===
=== Members ===
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=== Performances ===
=== Performances ===
Tickets were 25 cents to 75 cents ($5.21 to $15.62 in 2024).<ref>"Park's Great Opening Day." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' May 27, 1918. Page 16.</ref>
Tickets were 25 cents to 75 cents ($5.21 to $15.62 in 2024).<ref>"Park's Great Opening Day." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' May 27, 1918. Page 16.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Dates
!Dates
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!Notes
!Notes
|-
|-
|June 3 - 9, 1918
|June 3-9, 1918
|"The Firefly"
|"The Firefly"
|
|
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|<ref name=":9" />
|<ref name=":9" />
|-
|-
|June 10 - 16, 1918
|June 10-16, 1918
|"The Red Mill"
|"The Red Mill"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref name=":10">"'A Modern Eve' This Eve." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' June 17, 1918. Page 18.</ref>
|<ref name=":10">"'A Modern Eve' This Eve." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 17, 1918. Page 18.</ref>
|-
|-
|June 17 - 23, 1918
|June 17-23, 1918
|"A Modern Eve"
|"A Modern Eve"
|
|
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|<ref name=":10" />
|<ref name=":10" />
|-
|-
|June 24 - 30, 1918
|June 24-30, 1918
|"Robin Hood"
|"Robin Hood"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref name=":11">"DeKoven Breaks Record." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' June 29, 1918. Page 10.</ref>
|<ref name=":11">"DeKoven Breaks Record." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' June 29, 1918. Page 10.</ref>
|-
|-
|July 1 - 7, 1918
|July 1-7, 1918
|"Princess Pat"
|"Princess Pat"
|
|
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|<ref name=":11" />
|<ref name=":11" />
|-
|-
|July 8 - 14, 1918
|July 8-14, 1918
|"Naughty Marietta"
|"Naughty Marietta"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref>"Rotarians Make Merry." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' July 9, 1918. Page 16.</ref>
|<ref>"Rotarians Make Merry." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 9, 1918. Page 16.</ref>
|-
|-
|July 15 - 21, 1918
|July 15-21, 1918
|"The Folly of Columbus"
|"The Folly of Columbus"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref>"Olentangy Park Company to Play Winter Run at Grand Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' July 10, 1918. Page 18.</ref>
|<ref>"Olentangy Park Company to Play Winter Run at Grand Theater." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 10, 1918. Page 18.</ref>
|-
|-
|July 22 - 28, 1918
|July 22-28, 1918
|"Little Boy Blue"
|"Little Boy Blue"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref>"Park's Future Repertory." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' July 13, 1918. Page 10.</ref>
|<ref>"Park's Future Repertory." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 13, 1918. Page 10.</ref>
|-
|-
|July 29 - August 4, 1918
|July 29 to August 4, 1918
|"The Only Girl"
|"The Only Girl"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref>"From Two Continents." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' July 27, 1918. Page 10.</ref>
|<ref>"From Two Continents." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 27, 1918. Page 10.</ref>
|-
|-
|August 5 - 11, 1918
|August 5-11, 1918
|"The Chocolate Soldier"
|"The Chocolate Soldier"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref>"Theater is Comfortable." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' August 1, 1918. Page 16.</ref>
|<ref>"Theater is Comfortable." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' August 1, 1918. Page 16.</ref>
|-
|-
|August 12 - 18, 1918
|August 12-18, 1918
|"The Red Widow"
|"The Red Widow"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref>"Sweet Outlook for 'Chocolate.'" ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' August 5, 1918. Page 14.</ref>
|<ref>"Sweet Outlook for 'Chocolate.'" ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' August 5, 1918. Page 14.</ref>
|-
|-
|August 19 - 25, 1918
|August 19-25, 1918
|"The Mikado"
|"The Mikado"
|
|
|Comedy
|Comedy
|
|
|<ref>"Bargain Swimming Tickets." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch,'' July 31, 1918. Page 18.</ref>
|<ref>"Bargain Swimming Tickets." ''Columbus Evening Dispatch.'' July 31, 1918. Page 18.</ref>
|}
|}


Revision as of 22:09, 14 June 2025

This page is under construction. Please remove this notice when complete.

1918 Season Season
Leadership Will D. Harris Amusement Company
Will D. Harris, operating lessee
Jacob F. Luft, assistant manager

The Olentangy Park Company
Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
William J. Dusenbury
New Attractions Ye Olde Mill (rebuilt)
Over-The-Top
The Whip
Stock Company Grau Musical Comedy Company
Stock Manager Matt Grau
Band(s) Philip Cincione Band
Harris' Olentangy Park Orchestra (directed by Charles Parker)

Olentangy Park opened its season on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918. It was open on Sundays only at first.[1] Due to demand, it opened on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays after May 5, with the Dance Pavilion open only on Sundays.[2][3] The park fully opened for daily operation on May 26, 1918.[1] Charles Parker and his new 15-piece orchestra, "Harris' Olentangy Park Orchestra," performed in the Dancing Pavilion while Philip Cincione's Band gave free concerts throughout the season.[4][5] Prices remained the same as the previous season.[6] Parking for automobiles was free, and 11,000 people visited on opening day despite it being so early in the year.[7][3]

Will D. Harris and his new company, Will D. Harris Amusement Company, leased the park from J. W. and W. J. Dusenbury, and their company, the Olentangy Park Company, maintained ownership. Harris organized the Will D. Harris Amusement Company to take over the park's management,[8] signing the lease in January 1917, starting on March 5, 1917, and lasting four years and eight months. The total rental was $125,000$2.66 million in 2025 dollars.[9] The Dusenbury Brothers retired from active business to go to France to do war work. They closed a lease on the Grand Opera House on State Street and the Vernon Theater on Mt. Vernon Avenue, both in Columbus. Harris leased the Grand. Jacob F. Luft and W. Shelly Pletcher leased the Vernon for four years starting May 5, 1918, managed by the latter. Harris paid $15,000$319,336 in 2025 dollars rent for the Grand and kept it a motion picture house. Luft was also hired by Harris as an assistant manager of the theater, Olentangy Park, and the Piccadilly Theater, also taken over by Harris.[10]

The park ended daily operation for the season on Labor Day, September 2, 1918, switching to Saturdays and Sundays only until October.[11][12]

Improvements to the Park

Manager Harris spent $250,000$5.32 million in 2025 dollars on improvements for the 1918 season[1] adding two major attractions, Over-The-Top and The Whip, and rebuilding Ye Olde Mill.[13][14][4] The rides were repainted and checked for safety and the Swimming Pool was painted inside and out with white enamel.[15]

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

Rides and Attractions

New Over-The-Top

Main Article: Over-the-Top / The Racer

Manager Harris began building the Derby Racer.[16] Later named Over-The-Top, the racer roller coaster had two cars that started at the same point in time, and the occupants of each raced to see who would win. Only four of these types were constructed in the world when the building began. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch claimed it was "one of the most expensive park rides that have been invented."[13] It was 82 feet tall and 1.25 miles in track length.[16]

New Whip Ride

Main Article: The Whip

The Whip was a flat ride where riders got whipped around the corners, where they changed direction.

Rebuilt Ye Olde Mill

Main Article: Ye Olde Mill (Second)

Ye Olde Mill was redesigned and rebuilt further north than the original ride, which burned down in 1911. The ride was built along new lines, and electrical lighting was installed throughout the ride, where riders encountered weird scenes.[13] It was the only ride in the country at the time to use concrete channels for the water to carry boats "through the brilliantly-lighted and wonderfully-decorated channels, which extend in a zig-zag way for almost a mile."[14]

List of Rides and Attractions

Activities

List of Activities

Musical Performances

Charles Parker created a large new orchestra named "Harris' Olentangy Park Orchestra." They performed in the Dancing Pavilion ballroom while Philip Cincione's Band returned this season and gave daily free outdoor concerts.[4][5]

Theater Performances

Matt Grau gathered the Olentangy Park stock under the name of "Grau Musical Comedy Company"[17] and the season was to begin the week of Monday, June 10, 1918,[18][19][20] but the first show opened on Monday, June 3.[17] Grau wanted musical comedy acts all season and spent close to $10,000$211,787 in 2025 dollars per week to secure the actors.[20]

Before opening, the Northwood Avenue School presented "The Fairies of the Seasons" on May 17, and child star Verna Fulton performed "The Pipes of Pan."[21]

Indianola School performed "Bargain Day at Bloomstein's" starring Carrie Kilbourne and twenty-nine other dancing girls on June 1.[22]

The theater company moved to the Grand Theater, owned by Will D. Harris, to continue performing through the winter.[23]

Dispatch Contest

There were twenty-three pieces of a photograph in the May 26 issue of the Columbus Sunday Dispatch of "the pretty maidens from 'The Grau Musical Comedy Club.'"[24] Readers who cut out the pieces and placed 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 3, June 10, and June 27, an $18 value$381 in 2025 dollars
  • Second place prize - One entire box for two performances on June 4 and June 11, a $12 value$254 in 2025 dollars
  • Third place prize - One entire box for Wednesday night, June 5, and two box seats for June 12 and June 19, a $10 value$212 in 2025 dollars
  • Fourth place prize - One entire box for Monday night, June 3, and two box seats for June 10, an $8 value$170 in 2025 dollars
  • Fifth place prize - One entire box for Tuesday night, June 4, and two box seats for June 6, a $6 value$127 in 2025 dollars
  • 25 other winners, a varying number of orchestra seat tickets for different performance dates, ranging from $1 to $3$21.18 to $63.54 in 2025 dollars

Winifred S. Fink was awarded first prize on June 2.[25]

Members

[17][26]

  • Roger Gray, lead actor/comedian, director
  • Berta Donn, lead actress
  • Ferne Rogers, actress/prima donna
  • Flavia (or Flavio) Arcoro, actress
  • Della Rose, actress
  • Mary Dunigan, actress
  • Arthur Burckly, actor
  • George Natanson, actor
  • Ditmar Peppen, actor/comedian
  • Margaret Crawford, actress
  • Dan Marble, general utilities
  • Ralph Nichols, orchestra leader
  • Sid Riley, scenic artist
  • Earnest Rand, costumer
  • Henrietta Hausen
  • Rajal Cuttes
  • Chorus of 16 women and at least eight men

Berta Donn was only 18 years old and was described as "very pretty."[20]

Performances

Tickets were 25 cents to 75 cents ($5.21 to $15.62 in 2024).[27]

Dates Performance Writer Genre Headliners Notes
June 3-9, 1918 "The Firefly" Comedy Berta Donn [17]
June 10-16, 1918 "The Red Mill" Comedy [28]
June 17-23, 1918 "A Modern Eve" Comedy [28]
June 24-30, 1918 "Robin Hood" Comedy [29]
July 1-7, 1918 "Princess Pat" Comedy [29]
July 8-14, 1918 "Naughty Marietta" Comedy [30]
July 15-21, 1918 "The Folly of Columbus" Comedy [31]
July 22-28, 1918 "Little Boy Blue" Comedy [32]
July 29 to August 4, 1918 "The Only Girl" Comedy [33]
August 5-11, 1918 "The Chocolate Soldier" Comedy [34]
August 12-18, 1918 "The Red Widow" Comedy [35]
August 19-25, 1918 "The Mikado" Comedy [36]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The New Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. March 23, 1918.
  2. ↑ "Park Open Three Days Weekly." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 5, 1918.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Free Parking for Automobile." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 16, 1918. Page 20.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Good Music for the Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. March 31, 1918.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Big Orchestra for Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 11, 1918. Page 22.
  6. ↑ "No Advance in Prices." The Billboard. June 22, 1918. Vol. 30. Issue 25. Page 29. Accessed through Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/sim_billboard_1918-06-22_30_25/page/28/mode/2up
  7. ↑ "Olentangy Opens Earliest of Most American Parks." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 6, 1918. Page 12.
  8. ↑ "Incorporate Park Company." Columbus Evening Dispatch. January 16, 1918. Page 9.
  9. ↑ "Park Lease Filed." Columbus Evening Dispatch. January 18, 1918. Page 14.
  10. ↑ "Dusenbury Brothers Will Go To France." The Moving Picture World. May 11, 1918. Page 884. Accessed through Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/movpicwor361movi/page/884/mode/2up
  11. ↑ "Park Open Till Labor Day." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. August 25, 1918.
  12. ↑ "Park and Its Days." Columbus Evening Dispatch. September 7, 1918. Page 12.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Lavish Park Plans." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. September 23, 1917.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Park Novelties." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. March 31, 1918.
  15. ↑ "Real Opening of Park Season." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 26, 1918.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Are You Going Over the Top?" Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 27, 1918. Page 12.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 "Park to Open With 'The Firefly.'" The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 19, 1918.
  18. ↑ "Tenor Lend for Park Stock." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 24, 1918. Page 18.
  19. ↑ "Park Stock Plan." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 5, 1918.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Picking for Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 12, 1918.
  21. ↑ "Child Dancer in Fairy Operetta." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 17, 1918. Page 19.
  22. ↑ "Pupils to Play at Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 30, 1918. Page 18.
  23. ↑ "Park Cast to Stay," The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. August 4, 1918.
  24. ↑ "Olentangy Park Theater." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 26, 1918. Page 25.
  25. ↑ "Winners in Theater Advertising Contest." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 2, 1918. Page 8.
  26. ↑ Maxine, David. 2020. "The Pandemic Performance of 1918." The Wizard of Oz on Broadway, November 26, 2020. Accessed on May 14, 2022. https://www.vintagebroadway.com/2020/11/ [1]
  27. ↑ "Park's Great Opening Day." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 27, 1918. Page 16.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "'A Modern Eve' This Eve." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 17, 1918. Page 18.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "DeKoven Breaks Record." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 29, 1918. Page 10.
  30. ↑ "Rotarians Make Merry." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 9, 1918. Page 16.
  31. ↑ "Olentangy Park Company to Play Winter Run at Grand Theater." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 10, 1918. Page 18.
  32. ↑ "Park's Future Repertory." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 13, 1918. Page 10.
  33. ↑ "From Two Continents." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 27, 1918. Page 10.
  34. ↑ "Theater is Comfortable." Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 1, 1918. Page 16.
  35. ↑ "Sweet Outlook for 'Chocolate.'" Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 5, 1918. Page 14.
  36. ↑ "Bargain Swimming Tickets." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 31, 1918. Page 18.


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