Ye Olde Mill
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Ye Olde Mill, stylized also as Old Mill, The Old Mill, and Ye Old Mill, was a water ride installed at the park in 1904. A fire destroyed the original building in July 1911 and the ride was rebuilt further north with the Joy Mill being built on the original site. It was a mainstay until the park was sold in 1938. It was created by the Aquarama company[1] and was first called "Aquarama" before becoming The Old Mill.
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."[2]
Fires
Although water was used from the mill ride to protect the Dancing Pavilion in July 1907[3], 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[4].
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[5]. Manning plead guilty for embezzling $10 ($300) and was fined $25 ($740) and court costs. Leonard plead not guilty and was given a bond fixed at $15 ($450)[6].
References
| Type | Water ride |
|---|---|
| Built | 1904 (original) |
| Opened | 1904 (original) |
| Closed | July 1911 (original destroyed by fire) 1938 (sold when park closed) |
| Fires | 1911 |
| Manufacturer | Aquarama Company |
| Vehicle Type | Boat |
- ↑ "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.