1923 Season: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 23:46, 11 March 2026
This page is under construction. Please remove this notice when complete.
| Leadership | Perl S. Miller, receiver and operator The Olentangy Park Company Joseph W. Dusenbury, president William J. Dusenbury Joseph F. Luft, manager |
|---|---|
| Pre-season | April 22, 1923 - May 27, 1923 |
| Season | Began May 27, 1923 |
| Band(s) | Olentangy Orchestra |
| Park Size | About 100 acres |
| Tagline | "Where everybody goes" |
Olentangy Park opened for its 1923 season on April 22, 1923.[1] It was only open on Sundays until May 27,[2] then it began operating daily along with the Swimming Pool and Pony Track.
The park closed except for Sundays again after... The park closed for the season on ...
Dusenburys Forced into Receivership
In December 1922, the Dusenbury Brothers were forced into receivership after the Columbus Railway, Power & Light Co. sued the park's owners. Judge Daniel H. Sowers of Franklin County appointed Perl S. Miller, real estate dealer, as receiver of the Dusenbury interests, which controlled several of the largest amusement concessions in Columbus, and were the largest holders of moving picture theaters at the time. The petition for receiver was directed against Joseph W. Dusenbury, William J. Dusenbury, the Olentangy Park Co., the Hilltop Amusement Co., and the J. W. & W. J. Dusenbury Amusement Co. The Dusenbury Brothers operated Olentangy Park, the Grand Theater, the State Theater, the Vernon Theater, and the Hilltop Theater. At the time, the Hilltop Theater or theater building was completely finished. The State Theater was operating, but the building was not completed. The petition was filed a few minutes after they won a lawsuit against the Dusenburys for $1,242$23,735 in 2025 dollars for power furnished to Olentangy Park. The bond of the receiver was fixed at $25,000$229,322 in 2025 dollars.[3]
Miller became the park's operator for the 1923 season and installed new rides, testing them for safety. He also continued the free band concerts and vaudeville. Thousands of new bathing suits were purchased.[4]
Park Improvements
The Pony Track and stables were enlarged for the season.[5]
Talk of Annexation
There was a proposal for the City of Columbus to annex the Olentangy, Indianola, and Smith parks, with renewed attention following Olentangy Park's fall into receivership. Councilman Worley opposed the measure, believing it was a way to hide "blue law" reform, since the city charter would prohibit Sunday amusements.[6]
Part of the proposal was to run Olentangy Boulevard through the Olentangy Park site. Miller said the creditors would have to consent before it could be done. Most of the park was under a 99-year lease, and discussions were held about how the park would handle being split into two sections by the proposed street extension.[7]
It was assumed that the Columbus City Council would be asked to purchase the park in May and the land turned into a municipal recreation ground or lease it to private management.[8]
Rides and Attractions
List of Rides and Attractions
- Arena
- Band Shell
- Bandstand (South)
- Box ball alleys
- Canoe Club Boathouse
- Casino (2)
- Center Bandstand
- Children's Playground
- Circle Swing
- Dodgem
- Dancing Pavilion
- Double Whirl
- Electric Autos
- Ferris Wheel
- Figure Eight Toboggan
- Floral Conservatory & Greenhouse
- The Fun House
- General Playground
- Grand Carousel
- Gypsy Camp
- Joy Mill
- Merry-Go-Round (1)
- Merry-Go-Round (3)
- Millrace and Fish Pond
- Miniature Railway
- Motion Pictures
- Ye Olde Mill (2)
- Over-the-Top
- Palm Garden
- Open-Air Theater
- Palmistry
- Photographic Gallery (4)
- Pony and Camel Track
- Red Devil
- Shoot-the-Chutes
- Shooting Gallery
- Snake Den
- Swimming Pool
- Swings
- Theater
- Water Toboggan
- The Whip
- Whirlwind
- Zoological Garden
Theater and Vaudeville
Olentangy Park Theater
Main Article: Olentangy Park Theater
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was shown at the Open-Air Theater starting May 27.[9]
Week of May 27
- Maud Fox's Canines in "In Dogdom," featuring Dan, the mind-reading dog
- Viggo and Dorothy, dancers, in "Styles and Steps"
- Kirkwood and O'Niell, balancing act, in "Head to Head and Toe to Toe"
- Hap Hazard and Mary in "Fun on a Wire"
Week of June 3
- Howard and Louise, balancing act
- Fowler and Mack in "A Vaudeville Cocktail"
- Sam Lee in "Chinese Novelties"
- McGarry Brothers and Margaret Gillispe in "Tips and Taps"
Stunts and Outdoor Shows
Music
The Dancing Pavilion was open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.[10]
Sports
Activities
List of Activities
- Billiards
- Boating
- Box Ball
- Bowling
- Dancing
- Dining
- Fishing
- Fortune Telling
- General Games
- Penny Arcades
- Picnics
- Pony Rides
- Swimming
References
- ↑ "Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. April 8, 1923. Page 109.
- ↑ "Olentangy Open Sunday." The Columbus Dispatch. April 30, 1923. Page 38.
- ↑ "Creditors Force Dusenburys into Receivership." The Columbus Dispatch. Dec. 4, 1922. Page 1.
- ↑ "Pearl Miller to Operate Park." The Columbus Dispatch. March 25, 1923. Page 82.
- ↑ "Parks and Pavilions." The Columbus Dispatch. May 16, 1923. Page 34.
- ↑ "Worley Objects to Park Annexations." The Columbus Dispatch. April 21, 1923. Page 2.
- ↑ "Difficulty Expected." The Columbus Dispatch. May 8, 1923. Page 10.
- ↑ "To Consider Purchase." The Columbus Dispatch. May 21, 1923. Page 11.
- ↑ "Park's 26th Birthday." The Columbus Dispatch. May 27, 1923. Page 76.
- ↑ Cherrington, H. E. "Outdoor Amusements." The Columbus Dispatch. May 6, 1923. Page 79.