Ye Olde Mill (First)
| Other Name(s) | The Old Mill Old Mill Ye Olde Mill Aquarama First Old Mill |
|---|---|
| Type | Water ride Dark ride |
| Park Section | Midway, Northeast |
| Built | 1904 |
| Opened | 1904 |
| Closed | 1911 (fire) |
| Fires | 1911 |
| Manufacturer | Aquarama Company |
| Vehicle Type | Boat |
Ye Olde Mill, stylized also as Old Mill, The Old Mill, and Ye Old Mill, was a water ride and dark ride installed at Olentangy Park in 1904.[1] A fire destroyed the original building in July 1911 and the second version of the ride was rebuilt for the 1918 season[2] further north with the Joy Mill being built on the original site. It was created by the Aquarama Company[3] and was first called "Aquarama" before becoming The Old Mill, and was common with Old Mill rides around the country, was also referred to by some park-goers as "The Tunnel of Love" due to its pitch black sections allowing couples a chance to cuddle and kiss.
Although the word "Ye" appears and sometimes is pronounced with a "Y" sound, the original pronunciation of the Y-like symbol is a "Th" sound, so "Ye" sounds like "The."
Description
The original ride had a water wheel in front and the boats had upholstered seats. Riders would "drift through gloomy caverns, fantastic grottoes, and unsurpassed scenery."[4]
Fires
Although the water was used from the mill ride to protect the Dancing Pavilion in July 1907[5], a fire started in the ride on July 16, 1911, destroyed the building along with four other structures: Johnstown Flood, Coney Island, Temple of Mirth, and the Penny Arcade. The buildings were wood-frame structures and most lined with burlap. According to the park manager at the time, J.W. Dusenbury, the buildings were not insured[6].
Controversies
In 1907, ride managers John H. Leonard and William Manning were arrested for embezzlement. They were charged with having embezzled about $15-$20 ($450-$600 in 2021) by taking the riders' tickets and then selling them back to the cashier, who divided the money. The cashier, an unnamed woman, provided witness testimony and avoided prosecution[7]. Manning plead guilty to embezzling $10 ($300) and was fined $25 ($740) and court costs. Leonard plead not guilty and was given a bond fixed at $15 ($450)[8].
Gallery
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A panoramic photo of new rides nearing completion in the Columbus Sunday Dispatch on March 28, 1909. Rides and attractions shown: Whirlwind, Shoot-the-Chutes, the Midway including the Ye Olde Mill and Dancing Pavilion.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Olentangy Park, Theater and Zoological Garden." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 1 May 1904. Pg. 29.
- ↑ "Lavish Park Plans." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 23 September 1917. Pg. 56.
- ↑ "Sue Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 10 September 1905. Pg. 1. Retrieved from the Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Democrat-Sentinel (Logan, Ohio). 14 June 1906. Pg.2. Retrieved from Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1634143/olentangy-park-part-1/ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1634148/olentangy-park-part-2/
- ↑ "Boy Leads His Two Sisters Out of a Fire at Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 5 July 1907. Pg. 13. Retrieved from the Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.
- ↑ "Suspect Arson in Destructive Fire at Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 17 July 1911. Pg. 1. Retrieved from the Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.
- ↑ "Managers of 'Old Mill' Arrested." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 27 May 1907. Pg. 9. Retrieved from Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.
- ↑ "Makes a Confession." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 29 May 1907. Pg. 6. Retrieved from the Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.