1923 Season: Difference between revisions

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== Stunts and Outdoor Shows ==
== Stunts and Outdoor Shows ==


==Music==
== Music and Dancing ==


The [[Dancing Pavilion (2)|Dancing Pavilion]] was open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.<ref>Cherrington, H. E. "Outdoor Amusements." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' May 6, 1923. Page 79.</ref> The Olentangy Orchestra later became to be known as the "Rainbow Eight" and was conducted by Carl Claspill.<ref>"Outdoor Amusements." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' June 12, 1923. Page 34.</ref>
The [[Dancing Pavilion (2)|Dancing Pavilion]] was open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.<ref>Cherrington, H. E. "Outdoor Amusements." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' May 6, 1923. Page 79.</ref> The Olentangy Orchestra later became to be known as the "Rainbow Eight" and was conducted by Carl Claspill.<ref>"Outdoor Amusements." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' June 12, 1923. Page 34.</ref>


There were weekly Sunday concerts by a variety of performers.<ref>"Free Vaudeville at Park." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' June 10, 1923. Page 65.</ref>
There were weekly Sunday concerts by a variety of performers.<ref>"Free Vaudeville at Park." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' June 10, 1923. Page 65.</ref>
Dancers Thelma Middendorf, Margaret Jane Lackens, Marie Sullivan, Ellen Wiley, Catherine Hough, Mildred Dyer, and Violet Lundburg performed a water ballet presented by the Girls' Athletic Club on July 17 and 18.<ref>"To Appear in Water Ballet at Olentangy This Week." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' July 15, 1923. Page 20.</ref>


== Sports ==
== Sports ==

Revision as of 01:43, 14 April 2026

This page is under construction. Please remove this notice when complete.

1923 Season
Leadership Perl S. Miller, receiver and operator
The Olentangy Park Company
Joseph F. Luft, manager
Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
William J. Dusenbury
Pre-season April 22, 1923 - May 27, 1923
Season Began May 27, 1923
New Attractions Horseshoe Courts
Shooting Gallery
Band(s) Olentangy Orchestra
Park Size About 100 acres
Tagline "Where everybody goes"

Olentangy Park opened for its 1923 season on April 22, 1923.[1] It was only open on Sundays until May 27,[2] then it began operating daily along with the Swimming Pool and Pony Track.

The park saw unprecedented attendance of over 40,000 people in a single day at the Annual Retail Grocers' Association picnic on Wednesday, June 20.[3][4]

The park closed except for Sundays again after... The park closed for the season on ...

Dusenburys Forced into Receivership

In December 1922, the Dusenbury Brothers were forced into receivership after the Columbus Railway, Power & Light Co. sued the park's owners. Judge Daniel H. Sowers of Franklin County appointed Perl S. Miller, real estate dealer, as receiver of the Dusenbury interests, which controlled several of the largest amusement concessions in Columbus, and were the largest holders of moving picture theaters at the time. The petition for receiver was directed against Joseph W. Dusenbury, William J. Dusenbury, the Olentangy Park Co., the Hilltop Amusement Co., and the J. W. & W. J. Dusenbury Amusement Co. The Dusenbury Brothers operated Olentangy Park, the Grand Theater, the State Theater, the Vernon Theater, and the Hilltop Theater. At the time, the Hilltop Theater or theater building was completely finished. The State Theater was operating, but the building was not completed. The petition was filed a few minutes after they won a lawsuit against the Dusenburys for $1,242$23,735 in 2025 dollars for power furnished to Olentangy Park. The bond of the receiver was fixed at $25,000$229,322 in 2025 dollars.[5]

Miller became the park's operator for the 1923 season and installed new rides, testing them for safety. He also continued the free band concerts and vaudeville. Thousands of new bathing suits were purchased.[6]

In July, there were discussions between Miller and Max Stearn, the former owner of the Majestic Theater, for the park to be sold to Stearn.[7]

Talk of Annexation

There was a proposal for the City of Columbus to annex the Olentangy, Indianola, and Smith parks, with renewed attention following Olentangy Park's fall into receivership. Councilman Worley opposed the measure, believing it was a way to hide "blue law" reform, since the city charter would prohibit Sunday amusements.[8]

Part of the proposal was to run Olentangy Boulevard through the Olentangy Park site. Miller said the creditors would have to consent before it could be done. Most of the park was under a 99-year lease, and discussions were held about how the park would handle being split into two sections by the proposed street extension.[9]

It was assumed that the Columbus City Council would be asked to purchase the park in May, and the land would be turned into a municipal recreation ground or leased to private management.[10] The North Side Improvement Association considered widening North High Street between Fifth Avenue and the park. It would have required the removal of overhead telegraph and telephone wires and poles.[11]

Other Notable Events

Annual Outing for Orphan Children

The annual Orphans' Outing Day was held at the park on June 27 by the Columbus Automobile Club. Automobile owners in the area were encouraged to donate the use of their cars from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to transport children from Broad Street, between High and Third streets, to the park. Lt. Col. Harvey of Fort Hayes arranged to have the children driven back home in army vehicles. The park management provided the children with free rides on the Merry-Go-Round and other rides as well as free vaudeville shows. The Automobile Club supplied a lunch with lemonade and other soft drinks. They gave the children balloons and badges. Major and Mrs. Walter Collins of the Volunteers of America, who collaborated with the automobile club, were in charge of the children during the event. A staff of 20 women, a troop of Boy Scouts, nurses, and orphan home attendants assisted during the event. The children came from the Methodist Children's Home in Worthington, the Hannah Neil Mission on East Main Street, St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum on East Main Street, and the Franklin County Children's Home. The general committee of the Columbus Automobile Club included Charles M. Siebert, Jr., Max Stearn, Major and Mrs. Walter Collins, E. E. Grant, Lt. Col. Harvey of Ft. Hayes, and A. O. Rodrian.[12]

Dispatch Picnic

The Columbus Dispatch held a picnic for its readers on July 11. Coupons for the event, which appeared in the local newspaper on July 4 and 11, allowed readers to enter the park for free. Other free features included The Whip, Whirlwind, Figure Eight, a free dance in the Dancing Pavilion, a free swim in the Swimming Pool for women, vaudeville, and a free second admission. The newspaper erected a large registration tent between the central bandstand and the refreshment building.[13] The event also featured "largest family," "fattest man," "fattest woman," "tallest man," "tallest woman," "thinnest man," and "oldest subscriber present" contests. A marketing stunt included circulating photo of the eyes and feet of a "mystery girl" around town, and parkgoers were encouraged to approach women and say, "Beg pardon, but you are the Dispatch Picnic Girl."[14] The person who did this first received a $10$193 in 2026 dollars gold piece. She was recognized as dancer Mildred Melrose by F. Gordon Lawyer, of Cambridge, Ohio, a medical student at the Ohio State University.[15][16] The two were introduced at the prize dancing in the evening.[17] Other contests were held at the central bandstand for the boy who could stand on his head the longest (aged 15 years and younger), the boy who could sit on a cake of ice the longest (aged 14 years and younger), a watermelon-eating contest for boys and girls (aged 15 years and younger), and a needle-threading contest for girls (aged 16 years and younger). There was a 60-yard dash for girls (aged 14 years and younger), bathing girl revues (for all ages), and races for boys and girls at the Swimming Pool that was specially cleaned for the event on orders by Pearl S. Miller, the manager-receiver. There was a baby parade for infants in arms to determine the "sweetest baby" at the Open-Air Theater. More than 175 babies were entered into the contest. On the Olentangy River, there were canoe tilting demonstrations by members of the Olentangy Canoe Club.[13][18] The events were announced on the bridge that spanned the ravine and above the Dispatch booth. Cameramen and directors for The Dispatch Screen Magazine were at the grounds at 1 p.m. to film the crowds on the grounds. The film was shown at the Grand Theater the following Sunday and at other Ohio theaters later on.[19] Over 25,000 people attended despite the afternoon rain. Parkgoers watched vaudeville shows and contests with umbrellas.[20]

Rides and Attractions

New Horseshoe Courts

The park management and the Capital City Horseshoe League agreed to install six up-to-date, well-lit horseshoe courts and reserve them for the league three nights per week. The courts were installed in the center of the park near the Circle Swing, just south of the Dancing Pavilion. A large bulb with a shade was dropped over each peg while the center of the court was lit as bright as day.[21]

Main article: Shooting Gallery

A new shooting gallery was added that could accommodate 20 participants at a time.[22]

Pony Track

The Pony Track and stables were enlarged for the season.[23]

List of Rides and Attractions

Theater and Vaudeville

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Theater

Vaudeville

Vaudeville was shown at the Open-Air Theater starting May 27.[24]

Week of May 27

  • Maud Fox's Canines in "In Dogdom," featuring Dan, the mind-reading dog
  • Viggo and Dorothy, dancers, in "Styles and Steps"
  • Kirkwood and O'Niell, balancing act, in "Head to Head and Toe to Toe"
  • Hap Hazard and Mary in "Fun on a Wire"

Week of June 3

  • Howard and Louise, balancing act
  • Fowler and Mack in "A Vaudeville Cocktail"
  • Sam Lee in "Chinese Novelties"
  • McGarry Brothers and Margaret Gillispe in "Tips and Taps"
  • Williams and Lee, acrobats

Week of June 10

  • Genero Sisters, contortionists
  • Ray Reed, mimic and comedian
  • Garland and Smith, aerialists
  • "Three Boys" in "Pep, Harmony and Hope," a musical comedy

Week of June 17

  • George La Shay, the wizard of the marimbaphone
  • Tulsa Sisters
  • Demure, Null and Void, dancing, singing, and acrobatic stunts
  • Lou and Elsie Christensen, aerial act

Week of July 1

  • Edwards and Kelly in a comedy named "He got Vamped," featuring comical songs and pantomime
  • Mike Emmett, Irish tenor
  • Gartelle Brothers, blackface roller skating stunts
  • The Three Yaquis in a novelty act called the "All-American Revue"

Week of July 8

  • Norman, the Frog Man, a contortionist
  • Trussell and Fuller in "Musical Movements" with singing, dancing, and comedy
  • The Whirling Geisha Girls, aerialists - their act took place 30 feet over the audience with costume changes while hanging by their teeth
  • The Moran Sisters, musical act

Stunts and Outdoor Shows

Music and Dancing

The Dancing Pavilion was open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.[25] The Olentangy Orchestra later became to be known as the "Rainbow Eight" and was conducted by Carl Claspill.[26]

There were weekly Sunday concerts by a variety of performers.[27]

Dancers Thelma Middendorf, Margaret Jane Lackens, Marie Sullivan, Ellen Wiley, Catherine Hough, Mildred Dyer, and Violet Lundburg performed a water ballet presented by the Girls' Athletic Club on July 17 and 18.[28]

Sports

Horseshoe League

The park management and the Capital City Horseshoe League agreed to install six up-to-date, well-lit horseshoe courts and reserve them for the league three nights per week. The league planned to host their games there in the summer. Its opening was postponed three times and opened on June 26. A special match game was played on Sunday, June 24.[21]

Swimming Pool

Main article: Swimming Pool

The Swimming Pool was open on Monday mornings between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. starting in July, and children could swim for 10 cents, which included access to the rest of the park. The children brought their own swimsuits. City Recreation Director Arthur Raymond and 10 to 12 of his recreational supervisors from local playgrounds watched over the swimmers. They expected 800 or 900 swimmers each Monday.[29][30]

Activities

List of Activities

References

  1. ↑ "Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. April 8, 1923. Page 109.
  2. ↑ "Olentangy Open Sunday." The Columbus Dispatch. April 30, 1923. Page 38.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Outdoor Amusements." The Columbus Dispatch. June 21, 1923. Page 40.
  4. ↑ "Outdoor Amusements." The Columbus Dispatch. July 11, 1923. Page 32.
  5. ↑ "Creditors Force Dusenburys into Receivership." The Columbus Dispatch. Dec. 4, 1922. Page 1.
  6. ↑ "Pearl Miller to Operate Park." The Columbus Dispatch. March 25, 1923. Page 82.
  7. ↑ "To Sell Olentangy Park." The Columbus Dispatch. July 3, 1923. Page 12.
  8. ↑ "Worley Objects to Park Annexations." The Columbus Dispatch. April 21, 1923. Page 2.
  9. ↑ "Difficulty Expected." The Columbus Dispatch. May 8, 1923. Page 10.
  10. ↑ "To Consider Purchase." The Columbus Dispatch. May 21, 1923. Page 11.
  11. ↑ "Street Widening to Get Consideration." The Columbus Dispatch. June 10, 1923. Page 7.
  12. ↑ "Orphan Children Looking Forward to Outing Day." The Columbus Dispatch. June 20, 1923. Page 3.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Dispatch Picnic Coupons Begin on Wednesday; Contest Program Given." The Columbus Dispatch. July 3, 1923. Pages 1-2.
  14. ↑ "First Coupon for Dispatch Picnic to Appear July 4." The Columbus Dispatch. July 2, 1923.
  15. ↑ "What the Photographer Saw at Dispatch Picnic
  16. ↑ "Central Ohio Represented at Gigantic Outing." The Columbus Dispatch. July 11, 1923. Pages 1-2.
  17. ↑ "Beg Pardon, But You Are The Dispatch Picnic Girl." The Columbus Dispatch. July 10, 1923. Page 1.
  18. ↑ "Outdoor Stage at Olentangy Park to Be Scene of Three Baby Parades at Picnic." The Columbus Dispatch. July 10, 1923. Page 2.
  19. ↑ "Dispatch Guests Have Olentangy Park Wednesday." The Columbus Dispatch. July 10, 1923. Pages 1-2.
  20. ↑ "Jupiter Pluvius Baffled, Joy Reigns Supreme, As Throngs Fill Olentangy at Dispatch Picnic; Kiddies in Big Revel." The Columbus Dispatch. July 12, 1923. Pages 1 and 13.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Olentangy Park Gets Horseshoe League Games---Season Open June 26." The Columbus Dispatch. June 17, 1923. Page 32.
  22. ↑ "Outdoor Amusements." The Columbus Dispatch. June 19, 1923. Page 28.
  23. ↑ "Parks and Pavilions." The Columbus Dispatch. May 16, 1923. Page 34.
  24. ↑ "Park's 26th Birthday." The Columbus Dispatch. May 27, 1923. Page 76.
  25. ↑ Cherrington, H. E. "Outdoor Amusements." The Columbus Dispatch. May 6, 1923. Page 79.
  26. ↑ "Outdoor Amusements." The Columbus Dispatch. June 12, 1923. Page 34.
  27. ↑ "Free Vaudeville at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. June 10, 1923. Page 65.
  28. ↑ "To Appear in Water Ballet at Olentangy This Week." The Columbus Dispatch. July 15, 1923. Page 20.
  29. ↑ "Pool to Be Open." The Columbus Dispatch. July 2, 1923. Page 3.
  30. ↑ "Olentangy Park Pool to Be Opened to Children." The Columbus Dispatch. July 9, 1923. Page 2.
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