1921 Season: Difference between revisions

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'''Week of June 19:''' "The Firefly" by Otto Harbach and Rudolf Friml
'''Week of June 19:''' "The Firefly" by Otto Harbach and Rudolf Friml
'''Week of June 26:''' "The Chocolate Soldier"


=== Vaudeville ===
=== Vaudeville ===

Revision as of 05:14, 22 October 2025

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

1921 Season
Leadership The Olentangy Park Company
Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
William J. Dusenbury
Joseph F. Luft, manager
Pre-season April 24, 1921 - May 22, 1921
Season Began May 22, 1921
New Attractions Amphitheater
Children's Playground
Band(s) "Saxy" Strahl's Orchestra
Frank Carbone's Band
Park Size 90 acres
Tagline "The Big Park"
"The People's Pleasure Park"
"The People's Playground"

Olentangy Park opened its 1921 season on Sunday, April 24, 1921,[1] after being postponed for two weeks due to bad weather, the first week[2] and icy weather the second week.[3] After a year-long battle, the management of the park returned to Joseph W. and William J. Dusenbury.[2] The park was only open on Sundays for its pre-season until May 22, 1921,[4] when it opened for daily operation.[5][6] The park closed on ...

The park was reportedly the largest in the country, spanning 90 acres.[7]

Park Improvements

A terrace was constructed along the entire front of the Dancing Pavilion, featuring a brick walkway. Crushed stone and gravel were added to the walks and drives. The parking space was made mud-proof. New stands were added, while others were relocated to better locations, and additional lighting was installed. The Dusenburys purchased an iron fence from the Stewart Iron Works of Cincinnati that ran along the park for almost a third of a mile. It featured posts with lights on top and elaborate gates, including separate entrance and exit gates for automobiles.[8]

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

Lawsuits

Judge Rogers of Franklin County courts formally turned the park back over to the Dusenbury Brothers after a year-long fight, after canceling their lease with Will D. Harris and W. N. Ferguson over permitting gambling in the park. The receivers of the park reported receipts of $43,000$696,548 in 2025 dollars during the summer of 1920 and a balance after paying some debts of $27,000$437,368 in 2025 dollars.[2]

In May, Columbus Railway Power & Light Co. sued J. W. Dusenbury and the Olentangy Park Co. for $15,968$289,008 in 2025 dollars for the land the railway company leased from Henry T. Chittenden to Dusenbury and the park company. The agreement for the ground rent was $200$3,620 in 2025 dollars per month. The railway company claimed that the park did not pay between 1908 and 1916 and sought reimbursement.[9]

Other Notable Events

Grocers' Carnival

From June 22 through 25, the Retail Grocers' Association held a carnival at the park. A 300-foot-long tent was constructed in the northern part of the park as part of a food show. Music and other entertainment events were held in the tent. The visiting Marimba Band, vaudeville, and "Dare Devil Wilson" offered free performances. As special events, the park management set up swimming and diving exhibitions and a canoe regatta.[10] Each day had a theme: June 22 - Columbus Grocers' Day, June 23 - Neighboring Towns Grocers' Day, June 24 - Social Organization Day, and June 25 - Jobbers' and Manufacturers' Day.[11]

New North Side Civic Association Eyes Park Site for School

The New North Side Civic Association needed a place to build a proposed North High School. They did not want it on the Ohio State University campus. They encouraged the city engineers to be authorized to create a new boundary line across the north of Columbus that would take in Olentangy and Indianola parks. The parks were not within the city boundaries at the time. Former mayor George T. Marshall was appointed to head a committee to bring to the attention of Sheriff Holycross alleged suggestive pictures being shown in the penny arcades of Olentangy Park. It is unknown if these "pictures" were still or moving pictures. They planned to meet with the City of Columbus and the Board of Education to jointly purchase the park and locate the school there.[12]

Rides and Attractions

Canoe House

Main Article: Boathouse

The Canoe House was enlarged and included 200 canoes.[13]

Children's Playground

A full set of equipment was bought for the Children's Playground, which was erected in the grove on the hill, while a playground for older visitors was added to the ravine.[14]

Open-Air Theater

Main Article: Amphitheater

An open-air theater was added for vaudeville performances.[14] The front of the stage was 40 feet high.[15]

Swimming Pool

Main Article: Swimming Pool

The Swimming Pool was renovated and covered in white cement.[14] Stands were added for spectators.[16] The Dusenburys applied for membership in the American Athletic Union (A.A.U.) and held amateur swimming races at the Swimming Pool.[17] The Olentangy Park Swimming Club was organized with Roger Addison as president. The organization was limited to 25 members in the 1921 season, and competed against other swim clubs as part of the Allegheny Mountain Association.[18] A clubhouse was built near the pool for the swimming club.[19] The swimming club presented a program of nine events at the Swimming Pool when it opened on Sunday, May 22.[20]

List of Rides and Attractions

Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater

The theater opened for the season on Sunday, June 5.[21]

June 5: "My Honolulu Girl"

Described as "The Musical Comedy Surprise - Refreshing Breathing. The Golden Shores of the Dreamy Hawaiian Isle. The Scenic Gem of the Decade. The International Toured Famous NATIVE HAWAIIAN Singers, Dancers and Instrumentalists. 35 Mirthful Singing Specialists—20 Vulcanic Dancing Maids. Note.—Never in the history of Columbus have the people had a chance to see a show like 'MY HONOLULU GIRL' at double the price." Tickets cost 50 cents$8.10 in 2025 dollars plus tax, with matinees at 35 cents$6.33 in 2025 dollars plus tax.

The New Bostonians

The New Bostonians stock company began a program on Monday, June 20.[22] In addition to the members, the company included a chorus of 35 and an orchestra of 25 directed by Max Bendix.[23]

Members:

  • Max Bendix, director
  • Alberta Britlin
  • Marjorie Burgess
  • Sam A. Burton
  • Jefferson De Angelis
  • Ann Lathrop
  • Helen Manning
  • Beauton O'Quinn
  • Detmar Poppen
  • Edward Quinn
  • Greta Risley
  • Vivian Russell
  • Florence Webber
  • H. Evan Williams
  • Aubrey Yates

Performances:

Week of June 19: "The Firefly" by Otto Harbach and Rudolf Friml

Week of June 26: "The Chocolate Soldier"

Vaudeville

Vaudeville acts began on Sunday, May 29. Each show consisted four to six regular acts, all accompanied by an orchestra, presented at the Open-Air Theater three times daily: 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.

Week of May 29

  • Vannersons, comedy acrobats
  • Arthur and Peggy, in Highland costumes, singers, dancers, and bounding wire artists
  • Hart and Francis, expert jugglers and diabolo throwers
  • Lila and Elmer Stewart, eccentric dancers and singers
  • Lottie Williams and Lee, tumbling and comedy acrobatics
  • Frank Carbone's Rainbow Band
  • Other instrumental solos and duets

Week of June 5

  • Almond and Hazel, novelty ice skating
  • Lottie Williams and Lee, tumbling and comedy acrobatics
  • Cerino, Euphonium solo
  • Hearts and Flowers, songs and dances
  • A quartet
  • The Rainbow Sextette, instrumentalists
  • Portico Sisters, aerial acrobatics
  • Frank Carbone's Rainbow Band

Week of June 12

  • Ardell and West, equilibrists and dancers
  • Benton Brothers, comedy acrobats
  • The Famous Russels and their dog, "Queen," jugglers
  • Daisy and Wilson, arialists
  • Marimba Band of Guatemala

Stunts

Dare-Devil Wilson performed his famous stunt during the Week of June 19 and at the Retail Grocers' Carnival the same week. The main stunt involved diving headfirst from an 80-foot tower with lights on his chest, on a wooden, curved incline to shoot out and land on his feet. He was reportedly the only person to perform the act and had been part of the Barnum & Bailey Show a few years prior.[11]

Music

"Saxy" Strahl's Orchestra of 10 men performed in the Dancing Pavilion and Frank Carbone's Rainbow Band of 15 pieces gave open-air concerts during the afternoon and evening during the first few weeks.[24]

Activities

List of Activities

References

  1. ↑ "Park Is to Open." The Columbus Dispatch. April 23, 1921. Page 12.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Park is Transferred." The Columbus Dispatch. March 28, 1921. Page 18.
  3. ↑ "Ice Drive Closed Park." The Columbus Dispatch. April 18, 1921. Page 22.
  4. ↑ "Park Open Sunday Only." The Columbus Dispatch. April 8, 1921. Page 42.
  5. ↑ "Park is Opened Today." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 10, 1921. Page 7.
  6. ↑ "Park Open for Season." The Columbus Dispatch. May 22, 1925. Page 8.
  7. ↑ "Ninety Acres of Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 24, 1921. Page 6.
  8. ↑ "Olentangy Improvements." The Columbus Dispatch. June 5, 1921. Page 6.
  9. ↑ "Street Car Company Sues for $15,968." The Columbus Dispatch. May 5, 1921. Page 7.
  10. ↑ "Grocers Will Picnic." The Columbus Dispatch. June 16, 1921. Page 2.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Advertisement. The Columbus Dispatch. June 17, 1921. Page 37.
  12. ↑ "Favor Olentangy Site." The Columbus Dispatch. June 19, 1921. Page 1.
  13. ↑ The Columbus Dispatch. April 28, 1921. Page 29.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Many Park Improvements." The Columbus Dispatch. May 15, 1921. Page 9.
  15. ↑ "Lottie Williams." The Columbus Dispatch. May 29, 1921. Page 7.
  16. ↑ "Old and New Joys at Olentangy Park." The Columbus Dispatch. May 29, 1921. Page 5.
  17. ↑ "Sports Briefs." The Columbus Dispatch. April 1, 1921. Page 38.
  18. ↑ "Sports Briefs." The Columbus Dispatch. April 13, 1921. Page 22.
  19. ↑ "Swimmers Are Organized." The Columbus Dispatch. May 22, 1921. Page 6.
  20. ↑ "Swimming at Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. May 22, 1921. Page 32.
  21. ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Dispatch. May 29, 1921. Page 9.
  22. ↑ "Children's Playground at Olentangy Is Full of Kiddie Outdoor Toys." The Columbus Dispatch. June 16, 1921. Page 28.
  23. ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Dispatch. June 19, 1921. Page 9.
  24. ↑ "Opening Promised Today." The Columbus Dispatch. April 17, 1921. Page 10.
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