1918 Season
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| Leadership | Will D. Harris (operating lessee) Will D. Harris Amusement Company Joseph W. and Will J. Dusenbury a.k.a. Dusenbury Brothers The Olentangy Park Company |
|---|---|
| Season | 20 |
| New Attractions | Ye Olde Mill (rebuilt) Over-The-Top The Whip |
| Band(s) | Philip Cincione Band Harris' Olentangy Park Orchestra (directed by Charles Parker) |
Olentangy Park opened its 20th season on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918. It was open for Sundays only until May 26 when the park began operating daily.[1] Charles Parker and his new orchestra named "Harris' Olentangy Park Orchestra" performed in the Dancing Pavilion while Philip Cincione's Band gave free concerts throughout the season.[2]
Will D. Harris and his new company, Will D. Harris Amusement Company, leased the park from J.W. and W.J. Dusenbury and their company, The Olentangy Park Company, maintained ownership. Harris organized the Will D. Harris Amusement Company in order to take over the management of the park,[3] signing the lease in January 1918, starting on March 5, 1917, and lasting four years and eight months. The total rental amount was $125,000 ($2,745,586 in 2022).[4]
Improvements to the Park
Manager Harris spent $250,000 ($5,491,172 in 2022) on improvements for the 1918 season[1] adding two major attractions, Over-The-Top and The Whip, and rebuilding Ye Olde Mill.[5][6][2]
New Attractions
Manager Harris began building Over-The-Top, a racer roller coaster with a track almost a full mile long. Two cars started at the same point in time, the occupants of each raced to see who will win. Only four of these types had been constructed when building began. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch claimed it was "one of the most expensive park rides that have been invented."[5]
The Whip was a flat ride where riders got whipped around the corners where they change direction.
Ye Olde Mill was redesigned and rebuilt further north than the original ride with its name that burned down in 1911. The ride was built along new lines and electrical lighting was installed throughout where riders encountered weird scenes.[5] It was the only ride in the country at the time to use concrete channels for the water to carry boats "through the brilliantly-lighted and wonderfully-decorated channels, which extend in a zig-zag way for almost a mile."[6]
Rides and Attractions
Rides
- Caroussel
- Circle Swing
- Electric Express
- Ferris Wheel
- Figure Eight
- Mechanical Autos
- Merry-Go-Round
- Over-The-Top (New)
- Scenic Coaster
- Shoot-the-Chutes
- The Whip (New)
- Whirl Wind
- Ye Olde Mill (rebuilt)
Attractions
- The Colonnade
- Fun House
- Museum of Ornithology
- Swimming Pool
- The Zoo
Music and Performances
- Bandstand
- Dancing Pavilion
- Theater
Activities
- Boating - Launches, Rowboats, & Canoes
- Dancing
- Dining
- Fishing
- General Games
- Picnics
- Pony Rides
- Swimming
- Shooting Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The New Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 23 March 1918. Pg. 54.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Good Music for the Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 31 March 1918. Pg. 51.
- ↑ "Incorporate Park Company." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 16 January 1918. Pg. 9.
- ↑ "Park Lease Filed." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 18 January 1918. Pg. 14.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Lavish Park Plans." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 23 September 1917. Pg. 56.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Park Novelties." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 31 March 1918. Pg. 51.