1903 Season
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| Leadership | Joseph W. Dusenbury The Olentangy Park Company |
|---|---|
| New Attractions | Zoological Garden Museum of Ornithology |
Olentangy Park opened for the 1903 season on Sunday, May 17, 1903.[1][2]
Rides and Attractions
New Zoo
Main Article: Zoological Garden
Park manager J.W. Dusenbury was purchasing animals for a new zoo as early as January 1903. He traveled to Cincinnati where he purchased yaks, camels, foxes, badgers, bears, raccoons, eagles, and pheasants from their zoological garden.[3] He also purchased animals from Philadelphia.[4] The garden and housing for the animals was originally planned to be located east of the bowling alleys and boathouse and just west of High Street. The "bear pits" were dug at another part of the grounds for the "bruin" part of the collection of animals. The Dusenbury Brothers also considered putting the animals on new ground just south of the park grounds at the time.[3] Later, the brothers decided to open the zoo in the extreme southwestern part of the park when the Columbus Railway Company leased them 5 acres south of the park. Two carloads of animals were brought in from New York and included tigers, elephants, a lion, and other animals. The zoological sheds extended as south as Dodridge Street.[2]
Museum of Ornithology
Main Article: Museum of Ornithology
Naturalist Oliver Davie moved an extensive collection of mounted birds and animals from Minerva Park to Olentangy Park. It was thought that Olentangy Park would be more accessible to local university students. There were over 1,500 specimens. An aquarium was built in the center of the building - the first of its kind in Columbus.[5]
Other Rides and Attractions
- Baby Rack
- Bathing Pavilion
- Boathouse
- Bowling alleys
- Crystal Maze
- Figure Eight Toboggan
- Merry-Go-Round
- Miniature Railway
- Shooting Gallery
- Swings
- Water Toboggan
Olentangy Park Theater
Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater
Music
Outdoor Performances and Stunts
Activities
References
- ↑ "Olentangy Park Opening." Saturday Columbus Dispatch. 28 February 1903. Pg. 6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Olentangy Park." Wednesday Columbus Dispatch. 1 April 1903. Pg. 9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Olentangy 'Zoo.'" Sunday Columbus Dispatch. 24 January 1903. Pg. 6.
- ↑ "Animals for 'Zoo.'" Sunday Columbus Dispatch. 25 January 1903. Pg. 9.
- ↑ "Birds and Fish." Saturday Columbus Dispatch. 28 February 1903. Pg. 11.