1904 Season: Difference between revisions
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===New Ye Olde Mill or Auquarama=== | ===New Ye Olde Mill or Auquarama=== | ||
''Main Article:'' | ''Main Article:'' [[Ye Olde Mill (First)]] | ||
The [[Ye Olde Mill (First)|Ye Olde Mill]] or Auquarama was a new water ride where boats with upholstered seats carry riders through gloomy caverns, grottos, and scenery with a torrent of water by an immense water wheel. After floating through subterraneous passages, they emerge into rooms containing electrically lighted scenic effects in scenes showing cotton plantations and Black musicians playing banjos. The next scene was based on Dante's ''Inferno'' with weird and ghostly effects, followed by "The Rock of Ages" with water flowing around a rock with a center of natural flowers. From there, riders pass through Arctic regions, then, under the sea with serpents and numerous "uncanny figures of every description." Mirrors were placed to enhance the immersive ride. The ride looped around to the start for the next set of riders.<ref name="coneyisland">"Olentangy Park, a Coney Island Rival" ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' 1 May 1904. Pg. 4.</ref> | The [[Ye Olde Mill (First)|Ye Olde Mill]] or Auquarama was a new water ride where boats with upholstered seats carry riders through gloomy caverns, grottos, and scenery with a torrent of water by an immense water wheel. After floating through subterraneous passages, they emerge into rooms containing electrically lighted scenic effects in scenes showing cotton plantations and Black musicians playing banjos. The next scene was based on Dante's ''Inferno'' with weird and ghostly effects, followed by "The Rock of Ages" with water flowing around a rock with a center of natural flowers. From there, riders pass through Arctic regions, then, under the sea with serpents and numerous "uncanny figures of every description." Mirrors were placed to enhance the immersive ride. The ride looped around to the start for the next set of riders.<ref name="coneyisland">"Olentangy Park, a Coney Island Rival" ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' 1 May 1904. Pg. 4.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 19:00, 18 January 2023
This page is under construction. Please remove this notice when complete.
| Leadership | Joseph W. Dusenbury The Olentangy Park Company |
|---|---|
| New Attractions | Ye Olde Mill or Auquarama Circle Swing Palace of Illusions Arcade Pony and Camel Track Palm Garden The Colonnade |
| Theater Manager | W.W. Prosser |
| Band(s) | Wendell S. Powell's Olentangy Band |
The Olentangy Park, Theater, and Zoological Garden opened for the 1904 season on Sunday, May 15, 1904.[1] Wendell S. Powell's Olentangy Band returned to play afternoon and evening performances.[2]
Park Improvements
The park expanded to comprise over 100 sq. acres. The Ball Grounds were enclosed and a large grandstand was added. The Dancing Pavilion and bowling alleys were enlarged and improved. Rare and interesting birds and animals were added to the zoo, growing it to be three times larger than the previous season.[2] The park spent over $50,000 (over $1.67 million in 2023) on improvements and new attractions.[3]
Bear Attack
Peter Duffy, an attendant at the park's zoo, was attacked by a Himalayan bear when feeding the animals raw meat. Duffy was carrying the meat in a basket when the bear reached out of its cage to grab it. He became angry and opened the cage to confront the bear and take back the meat. The bear attacked Duffy causing lacerations all over his body. Other attendants saved Duffy, who survived.[4]
Rides and Attractions
New Colonnade
Main Article: Colonnade
The Colonnade was a 270 feet long building lined with columns and built to the east of the theater and offered refreshments and amusements."[2]
New Funhouses
The Castle Mystic, also called the Mystic Castle, this fun house was described in the Columbus Sunday Dispatch as "full of mirth and mystery," while Palace of Illusions was "entertaining, mystifying, and instructive."[2] The House That Jack Built was also listed in an ad.[5]
New Ye Olde Mill or Auquarama
Main Article: Ye Olde Mill (First)
The Ye Olde Mill or Auquarama was a new water ride where boats with upholstered seats carry riders through gloomy caverns, grottos, and scenery with a torrent of water by an immense water wheel. After floating through subterraneous passages, they emerge into rooms containing electrically lighted scenic effects in scenes showing cotton plantations and Black musicians playing banjos. The next scene was based on Dante's Inferno with weird and ghostly effects, followed by "The Rock of Ages" with water flowing around a rock with a center of natural flowers. From there, riders pass through Arctic regions, then, under the sea with serpents and numerous "uncanny figures of every description." Mirrors were placed to enhance the immersive ride. The ride looped around to the start for the next set of riders.[6]
The ride was constructed under the supervision of C.B. and N.A. McDaniel of New York City and cost $15,000 (over $500,000 in 2023).[6]
Other Rides and Attractions
- Arcade NEW[2]
- Baby Rack
- Bathing Pavilion
- Boathouse - with electric launches
- Bowling alleys
- Cave of the Winds
- Circle Swing NEW[2]
- Crystal Maze
- Ferris Wheel
- Figure Eight Toboggan
- House of Trouble
- House That Jack Built NEW[2]
- Laughing Gallery
- Merry-Go-Round
- Miniature Railway - listed as "new"[2]
- Museum of Ornithology
- Palm Garden NEW[2]
- Shooting Gallery
- Swings
- Water Toboggan
- Zoological Garden
Olentangy Park Theater
Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater
Vaudeville returned for the 1904 season with two sets of performances daily throughout the season.[1] The Dusenbury Brothers made a deal with the Vaudeville Managers Association of America to obtain a vaudeville franchise for Columbus.[7] W.W. Prosser of Columbus was hired to manage the casino and J.K. Burke, former manager of Minerva Park, booked acts from New York.[8][7][2]
Music
Wendell S. Powell's Olentangy Band with 30 musicians returned to play afternoon and evening performances at both the theater and the Dancing Pavilion.[2]
Outdoor Performances and Stunts
Activities
Other Activities
Ball Grounds
Main Article: Ball Grounds
The ball grounds were enclosed and a large grandstand was added. The park hired N.A. McCoy as the manager of the ball grounds, clubs, and teams from Columbus and the surrounding areas. There were games every day with special games on Sundays and holidays.[2]
- Baseball
- Billiards
- Boating
- Bowling - All year activity
- Dancing
- Dining and Refreshments
- Football
- General Games
- Picnics
- Pony Rides NEW[2]
- Swimming
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Vaudeville for Olentangy." Sunday Columbus Dispatch. 6 March 1904. Pg. 4.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 "Grand Opening Olentangy Park, Theater and Zoo." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 24 April 1904. Pg. 4.
- ↑ "Grand Opening Olentangy Park, Theater and Zoo." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 25 April 1904. Pg. 4.
- ↑ "Peter Duffy has Narrow Escape from Angry Bear at the Olentangy Zoo." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 22 March 1904. Pg. 1.
- ↑ Ad. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 24 April 1904. Pg. 4.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Olentangy Park, a Coney Island Rival" The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 1 May 1904. Pg. 4.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Vaudeville at Olentangy." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 20 March 1904. Pg.4.
- ↑ "Notes." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 17 March 1904. Pg.4.