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 the 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 had over 40,000 electrical lights.

Notable Events

Theater Strike

During the opening week of performances, five of the six stagehands went on strike due to the manager not meeting the union's staffing requirements[7] There was also no orchestra provided, [8] leading to the performance shutting down Wednesday night and the rest of the week due to poor turnout.[9]

First Wireless Telegraph Message in Columbus

On Wednesday, May 16, 1906, at 7:45 a.m., the "first wireless telegraph message ever sent, for any considerable distance in Columbus or this part of the state" was made between Olentangy Park and the State Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. The operators were Professor F.F. Main and Herman Wilson, both of the Olentangy Park Wireless Telegraph Station. The message was a recreation of the first telegraph message: "What hath God wrought?" but the message failed after the letter O in the word "God." Main and Wilson planned further experiments.[10]

Injuries

In May, Thomas Callis, a pipe organist and insurance salesman, was spooked by the flashing lights of the Figure Eight and accidentally stepped off a nearby platform and injured his right ankle bad enough that amputation was considered. He was sent to Grant Hospital for treatment.[11]

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.[12]

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][13]

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,[13] but opened by May 15.[6]

Fair Japan

Main Article: Fair Japan

Fair Japan was reduced to 5 cents ($1.70 in 2023) starting May 13.[14]

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 initially supposed to be at the High Street Theater, but was moved to Olentangy Park's theater after a mail mishap.[8]

The price for a matinee was reduced to 10 cents ($3.39 in 2023) starting May 13.[15]

Performances

April 29-May 2 (opening week): "When We Were Twenty-One," presented by Nat C. Goodwin and Maxine Elliot. Nestor Lennon and Corinne Frances performed the leading parts. Other cast included Jacques Martin.[16][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.[7] There was also no orchestra provided, making the production cut musical numbers by C. O. Wolfe, W. A. Mason, and Frances.[8] The performance shut down Wednesday night and for the rest of the week due to poor turnout.[9] Theatrical Stage Employees' Local No. 12 met with park management Thursday, May 10 to negotiate staffing and park meals for stagehands.[17]

The regular season began May 13 and featured vaudeville.[18]

Vaudeville

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

Week of May 13

Acts and performances:[15]

  • Melnotte-La-Nolo Trio, European wire artists
  • The Tossing Austins, comedy juggling and dancing
  • Louise Arnott and Tom Gunn, in their Irish comedy sketch, "Regan's Luck"
  • The Maxsmith Duo, entertainers
  • Edison and his musical dog, "Doc"
  • Will Dockery, blackface monologist and singing comedian
  • Vitascope
Week of May 20

Acts and performances:[19][20]

  • Post and Russell, comedy singing and dancing
  • Clark's Performing Dogs and Ponies
  • Ziska and King, magicians
  • Florence Saunders, soprano singer
  • Musical Burke's Comedy Piano Players
  • Harvey and Devura, a "kid" act
  • Vitascope - latest motion pictures
Week of May 27

Acts and performances:[21]

  • Zinnell and Boutelle, refined singing and comedy act
  • Alfred Anderson, the "Man of Melba," female impersonator
  • Zena Keife, 10-year-old dancer and singer[22]
  • Dunbar's Educated Goats
  • Harry Botter and Co., in a comedy sketch, "A Matrimonial Blizzard," written by Edward McWade
  • Levine and Leonard, comedy autoists
  • Vitascope - new motion pictures
Week of June 3

Acts and performances:[23]

  • Lyndale Allison, of Columbus, singer, claimed to have the largest singing range in the world with the ability to sing "from G below the staff to G above high C"[24]
  • Levine and Leonard, comedy automobilist
  • Harry Elverton, of Columbus, object spinner
  • Herbert Deveau, comedian and cartoonist
  • Florence Reeves, violinist
  • Carr and Lind, comedians and talkists
  • Mr. and Mrs. Hayman, comedy sketch
  • Vitoscope
Week of June 10

Acts and performances:[25]

  • Robert Rogers and Louise Mackintosh, in their sketch, "Out of Sight"
  • Delmore and Darrell, acrobatic comedy
  • Annette Duvall, singing comedienne
  • Kates Brothers, comedy acrobats
  • Will and Edith Hart, singing and dancing
  • K. Hutchinson & Co., entertainers
  • Vitoscope

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]

Signior Vincent Rosati's Naval Reserve Band started performing the week of May 13,[26] attracting a large crowd. The band had 84 members and gave free concerts twice per week.[27]

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.[28]

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.[13]

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. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Stage Hands are Out on a Strike." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 April 1906. Pg. 2.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 April 1906. Pg. 4.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 4 May 1906. Pg. 4.
  10. ↑ "First Wireless Message in Columbus." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 17 May 1906. Pg. 1.
  11. ↑ "Peculiar Accident." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 20 May 1906. Pg. 6.
  12. ↑ "Sue for Royalties." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 2 February 1906. Pg. 10.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Auspicious Day for Park Opening." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 April 1906. Pg. 6.
  14. ↑ Ad. Columbus Evening Dispatch. 13 May 1906. Pg. 7.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Olentangy Opening." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 13 May 1906. Pg. 6.
  16. ↑ Ad. Columbus Evening Dispatch. 27 April 1906. Pg. 4.
  17. ↑ "Want to Board the Hands." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 10 May 1906. Pg. 13.
  18. ↑ "Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 10 May 1906. Pg. 4.
  19. ↑ "Vaudeville at Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch." 20 May 1906. Pg. 6.
  20. ↑ "Olenttangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch." 21 May 1906. Pg. 4.
  21. ↑ "Vaudeville at Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch." 27 May 1906. Pg. 7.
  22. ↑ "She's a Star on Stage at 10 Years, and Has Had Six Years' Experience." Columbus Evening Dispatch." 28 May 1906. Pg. 1.
  23. ↑ "Vaudeville at Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch." 3 June 1906. Pg. 6.
  24. ↑ "Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch." 4 June 1906. Pg. 4.
  25. ↑ "Vaudeville at Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch." 10 June 1906. Pg. 6.
  26. ↑ Ad, The Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 8, 1906. Pg. 4.
  27. ↑ "Attracted Large Crowd." Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 13 May 1906. Pg. 7.
  28. ↑ "At Work on Pavilion." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 29 April 1906. Pg. 13.
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