1902 Season
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| Leadership | Joseph W. Dusenbury The Olentangy Park Company |
|---|
Olentangy Park opened for the 1902 season on Sunday, May 18, 1902.[1] The opening week presented a Grand Musical Festival, featuring Signor A. Liberati's Famous Military Band and Concert Company, assisted by opera singers, who performed twice daily.[2] Souvenir sheet music of some of Liberati's compositions were given to patrons. Patrons were invited to request performances for specific days ahead of time.[1] Manager Joseph W. Dusenbury said 23,000 people attended the opening Sunday.[3]
Harry DeMuth, of Lancaster, was re-engaged as the park's advertising agent.[4]
Notable Events
Trolley Power Issues on Opening Sunday
The trolley cars were used so much on that opening Sunday, that the feed wire connections burned out at Spring and High streets, visibly smoking until the power at the central station was turned off. This was caused by a break the Friday prior that disabled a large engine at the power plant. Even after working to repair, and eventually removing smaller engines to replace the large ones, materials were not available to do so in time. This cut the horsepower to a third of the strength it normally had to run the trolley cars. The break was fixed by noon the following Monday.[5]
Lawsuits
In March 1902, the Olentangy Park Company sued John Field for $250 (around $8,660 in 2022) on a contract for $450 (around $15,600) for the program privilege during the season of 1899.[6] The judge ruled the park company should receive $174.25 (around $6,040) because Field already paid $100 ($3,465) and did not receive credit.[7]
Rides and Attractions
Theater and Stunt Performances
Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater
The prices were the following: Night performances: 10 cents, 20 cents, and 30 cents ($3.47, $6.93, and $10.40 in 2022). Boxes: 50 cents ($17.33). Matinee performances: (10 cents, 15 cents, and 20 cents ($3.47, $5.20, and $6.93).[8]
Week of May 18 (Opening Week)
Signor A. Liberati's Famous Military Band and Concert Company, assisted by opera singers, performed twice daily during opening week both outdoors and at the Theater.[2]
Week of May 26
The theater featured "The Charity Ball" by David Belasco and Henry C. De Mille, a four-part comedy play.[9]
Music
Signor A. Liberati's Famous Military Band and Concert Company, assisted by opera singers, performed twice daily during opening week.[2] The band consisted of 40 musicians and the opera singers included Signor Guillio Di Santis and Madame Cleopatra Vicini. Liberati was a cornet player as well as a leading band and orchestra leader.[10][1]
Activities
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Olentangy Park: Opening Week." Sunday Columbus Dispatch. 11 May 1902. Pg. 16.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ad. Sunday Columbus Dispatch. 4 May 1902. Pg. 16.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park: Opening of the Season." Monday Columbus Dispatch. 19 May 1902. Pg. 9.
- ↑ "Brevities." Thursday Columbus Dispatch. 15 May 1902. Pg. 5.
- ↑ "Power Gave Out." Monday Columbus Dispatch. 19 May 1902. Pg. 5.
- ↑ "Brevities." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 24 March 1902. Pg. 7.
- ↑ "Justices' Court." Saturday Columbus Dispatch. 12 April 1902. Pg. 7.
- ↑ Ad. Sunday Columbus Dispatch. 11 May 1902. Pg. 16.
- ↑ Ad. Saturday Columbus Dispatch. 24 May 1902. Pg. 9.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." Monday Columbus Dispatch. 5 May 1902. Pg. 11.