Open-Air Theater: Difference between revisions

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The outdoor [[Open-Air Theater]] was an attraction for music, performances, and sports at Olentangy Park,<ref name="candb">Hyatt, Shirley. 2009. ''Clintonville and Beechwold.'' Arcadia Publishing.</ref><ref>Liebold, Chris.  [https://tcfsummerfellows.blog/2014/07/10/olentangy-amusement-park-and-clinton-como-park/ "Olentangy Amusement Park and Clinton-Como Park."] ''Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs.'' July 10, 2014. Blog post.</ref> located south of the [[Figure Eight Toboggan|Figure Eight]], in the Grove, overlooking the ravine and Olentangy River.<ref name="historian">Barrett, Richard E. 1984. "Olentangy Park: Four Decades of Fun." ''Columbus and Central Ohio Historian No. 1.'' April 1984. Page 15.</ref><ref name="oldnew">"Old and New Joys at Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 29, 1921.</ref><ref>Sagstetter, Eugene P. "Remember Olentangy Park?" ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' June 6, 1954.</ref><ref>[https://614now.com/2022/explore-columbus/adventures/the-story-of-the-local-world-class-amusement-park-youve-probably-never-heard-of "The story of the local world-class amusement park you've probably never heard of."] ''614Now.'' Nov. 14, 2022.</ref> It opened in 1921 and held performances, including vaudeville, amateur acts, wrestling, and boxing<ref name="historian" /> were held twice a day and moved to the [[Theater]] on rainy days.<ref name="oldnew" />  
The outdoor [[Open-Air Theater]] was an attraction for music, performances, and sports at Olentangy Park,<ref name="candb">Hyatt, Shirley. 2009. ''Clintonville and Beechwold.'' Arcadia Publishing.</ref><ref>Liebold, Chris.  [https://tcfsummerfellows.blog/2014/07/10/olentangy-amusement-park-and-clinton-como-park/ "Olentangy Amusement Park and Clinton-Como Park."] ''Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs.'' July 10, 2014. Blog post.</ref> located south of the [[Figure Eight Toboggan|Figure Eight]], in the Grove, overlooking the ravine and Olentangy River.<ref name="historian">Barrett, Richard E. 1984. "Olentangy Park: Four Decades of Fun." ''Columbus and Central Ohio Historian No. 1.'' April 1984. Page 15.</ref><ref name="oldnew">"Old and New Joys at Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' May 29, 1921.</ref><ref>Sagstetter, Eugene P. "Remember Olentangy Park?" ''The Columbus Sunday Dispatch.'' June 6, 1954.</ref><ref>[https://614now.com/2022/explore-columbus/adventures/the-story-of-the-local-world-class-amusement-park-youve-probably-never-heard-of "The story of the local world-class amusement park you've probably never heard of."] ''614Now.'' Nov. 14, 2022.</ref> It opened in 1921, and performances, including vaudeville, amateur acts, wrestling, and boxing<ref name="historian" /> were held twice a day and moved to the main [[theater]] on rainy days.<ref name="oldnew" />  


== Description ==
== Description ==


The amphitheater was built on the edge of the bluff overlooking the Olentangy River, but faced toward The Grove. The building was 60 feet wide, 45 feet deep, and 40 feet high,<ref>"Lottie Williams." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' May 29, 1921. Page 7.</ref> making it one of the largest theaters in the city.<ref name="openair">"Open Air Stage at Olentangy." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' Aug. 14, 1921. Page 5.</ref> Five thousand people could attend vaudeville shows in The Grove at one time.<ref>"Crowds at Olentangy." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' July 6, 1921. Page 28.</ref> It had a concrete foundation, fancy brickwork up to the level of the stage floor, and attractive stucco work above the stage floor.  
The amphitheater was built on the edge of the bluff overlooking the Olentangy River, but faced toward the Grove. The building was 60 feet wide, 45 feet deep, and 40 feet high,<ref>"Lottie Williams." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' May 29, 1921. Page 7.</ref> making it one of the largest theaters in the city.<ref name="openair">"Open Air Stage at Olentangy." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' Aug. 14, 1921. Page 5.</ref> Five thousand people could attend vaudeville shows in the Grove at one time.<ref>"Crowds at Olentangy." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' July 6, 1921. Page 28.</ref> It had a concrete foundation, fancy brickwork up to the stage floor, and attractive stucco work above the stage floor.  


Harry C. Holbrook designed the building, and it was "pronounced the most attractive open-air stage in the county" by ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' A basement story provided plenty of dressing rooms. Seats were arranged in front of the stage for parkgoers' use.<ref name="openair" />
Harry C. Holbrook designed the building, and it was "pronounced the most attractive open-air stage in the county" by ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' A basement story provided plenty of dressing rooms. Seats were arranged in front of the stage for parkgoers' use.<ref name="openair" />

Revision as of 21:28, 13 April 2026

Open-Air Theater
Other Name(s) Amphitheater
Open-Air Stage
Type Music and Performances
Sports
Park Section West
The Grove
Built 1921
Opened 1921
Closed Unknown
Designer Harry C. Holbrook
Length 56 feet
Width 45 feet
Height 40 feet

The outdoor Open-Air Theater was an attraction for music, performances, and sports at Olentangy Park,[1][2] located south of the Figure Eight, in the Grove, overlooking the ravine and Olentangy River.[3][4][5][6] It opened in 1921, and performances, including vaudeville, amateur acts, wrestling, and boxing[3] were held twice a day and moved to the main theater on rainy days.[4]

Description

The amphitheater was built on the edge of the bluff overlooking the Olentangy River, but faced toward the Grove. The building was 60 feet wide, 45 feet deep, and 40 feet high,[7] making it one of the largest theaters in the city.[8] Five thousand people could attend vaudeville shows in the Grove at one time.[9] It had a concrete foundation, fancy brickwork up to the stage floor, and attractive stucco work above the stage floor.

Harry C. Holbrook designed the building, and it was "pronounced the most attractive open-air stage in the county" by The Columbus Dispatch. A basement story provided plenty of dressing rooms. Seats were arranged in front of the stage for parkgoers' use.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Hyatt, Shirley. 2009. Clintonville and Beechwold. Arcadia Publishing.
  2. ↑ Liebold, Chris. "Olentangy Amusement Park and Clinton-Como Park." Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs. July 10, 2014. Blog post.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Barrett, Richard E. 1984. "Olentangy Park: Four Decades of Fun." Columbus and Central Ohio Historian No. 1. April 1984. Page 15.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Old and New Joys at Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 29, 1921.
  5. ↑ Sagstetter, Eugene P. "Remember Olentangy Park?" The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 6, 1954.
  6. ↑ "The story of the local world-class amusement park you've probably never heard of." 614Now. Nov. 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Lottie Williams." The Columbus Dispatch. May 29, 1921. Page 7.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Open Air Stage at Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 14, 1921. Page 5.
  9. ↑ "Crowds at Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. July 6, 1921. Page 28.


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