1906 Season

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1906 Season Season
Leadership Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
Will J. Dusenbury, manager
The Olentangy Park Company
New Attractions Carousel
Creation or The Great Hereafter
Dancing Pavilion (Second)
Egyptian Mystery
Fantasma
Photographic Gallery
Roller Skating Rink
Scenic Coaster
Temple of Mirth
Third Degree
Tours of the World
Theater Manager William W. Prosser

The Olentangy Park, Theater, and Zoological Garden opened for the 1906 season on Sunday, April 29, 1906.[1][2][3] Powell's Military Band performed free concerts twice daily during the opening week.[4]

Park Improvements

Rides and attractions were added including a skating rink near the entrance and a new Dancing Pavillion.[5][1] A carousel and the Forest Coaster were purchased from the Columbus Zoological Company and installed in the old Dancing Pavilion and north end of the park respectively. Other additions included "Creation or The Great Hereafter;" Hale's Tours of the World; the "Third Degree," a funhouse; a photographic gallery, Temple of Mirth, Egyptian Mystery, and other smaller attractions.[2][3] Many of the new attractions did not open until May 15.[6]

Ohio State University Professor Main installed a "scientific electrical exhibit," including wireless telegraphy.[3] The park was lit with over 40,000 electrical lights.

Lawsuits

In February, the Traver Circle Swing Company sued the Olentangy Park Company for $2,392 ($82,667 in 2023) due to non-payment of royalties for the operation of the Circle Swing.[7]

Rides and Attractions

Main Article: Carousel

A carousel was purchased from the Columbus Zoological Company. It had an "immense" pipe organ and the ride was installed in the old Dancing Pavilion.[2][8]

New Roller Skating Rink

Main Article: Roller Skating Rink (Building)

The new Roller Skating Rink was 120 ft. by 120 ft. Originally, it was planned to be built near the entrance with an approach from High Street,[5][2] but later moved to the northeast end of the park, just north of the ravine, between the Colonnade and High Street.[2][1] The architecture was in a Spanish style.[5] A large band provided music to the skaters.[3]

New Scenic Coaster

Main Article: Scenic Coaster

The Forest Coster/Forest Taboggan was purchased from the Columbus Zoological Company. Erected along High Street and to the north, it was changed to a Scenic Railroad coaster for Olentangy Park.[2] Its track was over a half mile in length.[3] It was not open at the time of the season's opening,[8] but opened by May 15.[6]

Other Rides and Attractions

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater

William W. Prosser returned as the theater manager for the 1906 season. J. K. Burke, of New York and formerly the manager at Minerva Park, booked the attractions.[1] All matinees, except Sundays and holidays, were reduced to 10 cents ($3.46 in 2023) per ticket.[2]

The opening performance was originally supposed to be at the High Street Theater, but was moved to Olentangy Park's theater after a mail mishap.[9]

Performances

April 29-May 2 (opening week): "When We were Twenty-One," presented by Nat C. Goodwin and Maxine Elliot. The leading parts were performed by Nestor Lennon and Corinne Frances. Other cast included Jacques Martin.[10][4] Five stagehands went on strike due to manager Brandon Courtney not meeting the union's staffing requirements and only one stagehand had to manipulate the scenery and lights.[11] There was also no orchestra provided, making the production cut musical numbers by C. O. Wolfe, W. A. Mason, and Frances.[9] The performance shut down Wednesday night due to poor turnout.[12]

Vaudeville

The theater had a 40-piece orchestra providing free open-air concerts and Vaudeville performed twice daily throughout the season.[3]

Week of

Acts and performances:

  • Lorem ipsum

Music

Women and children were able to dance for free in the afternoons except for Sundays and holidays.[2]

Powell's Military Band performed free concerts twice daily during the opening week.[4]

Rosati's Naval Reserve Band performed the week of May 13.[13]

New Dancing Pavilion

Main Article: Dancing Pavilion (Second)

The new Dancing Pavilion was built near the Old Mill at the north end of the park.[2] A band of 20 pieces provided music for the Dancing Pavilion.[3] Designed by Frank L. Packard, it had a Swiss style.[14]

The new building wasn't built at the time of the season opening despite the new carousel/merry-go-round being installed in the old building.[8]

Stunts

Activities

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "William Prosser Chosen Manager." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 11 April 1905. Pg. 2.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Olentangy Park Opens on April 29." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 15 April 1905. Pg. 7.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "New Attractions at Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 15 April 1905. Pg. 15.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 28 April 1906. Pg. 4.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Improvements in Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 18 March 1906. Pg. 7.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 9 May 1905. Pg. 4.
  7. ↑ "Sue for Royalties." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 2 February 1906. Pg. 10.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Auspicious Day for Park Opening." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 April 1906. Pg. 6.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 April 1906. Pg. 4.
  10. ↑ Ad. Columbus Evening Dispatch. 27 April 1906. Pg. 4.
  11. ↑ "Stage Hands are Out on a Strike." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 April 1906. Pg. 2.
  12. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 4 May 1906. Pg. 4.
  13. ↑ Ad, The Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 8, 1906. Pg. 4.
  14. ↑ "At Work on Pavilion." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 29 April 1906. Pg. 13.
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