1915 Season

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1915 Season
Leadership The Olentangy Park Company
Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
William J. Dusenbury, manager
Opening Day April 25, 1915 (Sundays only)
May 23, 1915 (daily)
Closing Day September 12, 1915 (Sundays only)
September 26, 1915 (season)
New Attractions Motordrome
Roller Skating Rink (Portable)
Sea-Land-Whirl
Theater Manager Fred Kimball
Stock Company Mary Servoss Company
Band(s) Cincione's Italian Union Concert Band
Park Size ~100 acres

Olentangy Park and Theater opened for the 1915 season on Sunday, April 25, 1915.[1] Cincione's Italian Union Concert Band provided the music on opening day.[2] Opening for Sundays only at first, more than 20,000 people visited the park on opening day.[3] The park was open daily beginning May 23[4] after the main season being postponed from May 9.[5] The park was "nearly 100 acres" and more than 100 different kinds of amusements.[6]

Billy O'Hara started a "Jitney Bus" business and transported visitors to the park along with the High Street and Oak Street streetcar lines.[7][8]

The park was open only on Sundays starting September 12, 1915,[9] and closed for the season on September 26, 1915.[10][11]

For ride and attraction changes, see the Rides and Attractions section.

Part of Park Property Considered for North High School Site

The Columbus Board of Education searched for a site for North School, and nearly six acres of the Olentangy Park property was considered. The property owners, J. W. and W. J. Dusenbury, offered the land for $44,800 ($1,383,913 in 2025). The site comprised 680 feet in front and extended back 413 feet.[12]

The North Side Improvement Association objected to the plans, preferring a proposed site on Arcadia Avenue instead. The new North High School was set to cost $500,000 ($15,726,287) to build and would hold 2,000 students.[13][14]

Other Notable Happenings

Dispatch Contest

The Columbus Dispatch held a contest on Sunday, May 23, where readers could cut out twenty-two pieces of a photo of Mary Servoss of the theater's stock company printed throughout the advertisements and classifieds in the newspaper, assemble them, and send them into the publication for a prize.[15]

The prizes included:

  • First prize: One entire box for the first performance and two box seats for the rest of the season - $34 value ($1,062 in 2025)
  • Second, third, and fourth prize: One entire box for the first performance and two orchestra seats for the rest of the season - $20 value ($625)
  • Fifth prize: Two orchestra seats for the season - $15 value ($469)
  • Sixth and seventh prize: Six orchestra seats for the opening performance - $3 value ($94)
  • Eighth, ninth, and tenth prize: Four orchestra seats for the opening performance - $2 value ($62.50)
  • Eleventh through twentieth prize: Two orchestra seats for the opening performance - $1 value ($31.25)

Red Letter Day and Public School Outing

On June 18, 1915, the Columbus Letter Carriers and local public schools held an outing. The event featured boxing and wrestling bouts, a concert by the public school orchestra, track and field events, and dance programs by girls. "Young Gotch" and Lee Miller wrestled. The public school orchestra was directed by W. D. Campbell. Girls performed folk dances, Maypole dances, and fancy dance events. The track and field events included 80-pound, 95-pound, 115-pound, and unlimited classes. The track events included the 50, 60, 70, and 100-yard dashes, broad and high jumps, relay race, and shotputs for the 115 and unlimited classes. The winning school won a silk flag.[16]

Retail Grocers' Association Parade and Outing

The Retail Grocers' Association held two massive parades and an outing at Olentangy Park on June 23, 1915.

The first parade formed at High Street and Fifth Avenue, went east to Fourth Street, north to Chittenden Avenue, west to Summit Street, north to Lane Avenue, west to High Street, south to Broad Street, west to Hague Avenue, countermarch to Harris Avenue, south to Sullivant Avenue, east to Central Avenue, north to Town Street, east to High Street. The second parade began at the Schiller (now, Whittier) and High streets, went north to Mound Street, east to Third Street, south to Schiller Street (now, Whittier Street), east to Fourth Street (now, Mohawk Street), south to Innis Street, east to Parsons Avenue, north to Livingston Avenue, east to Oakwood Avenue, north to Fulton Street, west to Parsons Avenue, north to Bryden Road, east to 19th Street, north to Mt. Vernon Avenue, west to Fifth Street, south to Spring Street, and west to High Street. The parades met at Spring and High streets.[17][18]

Columbus stores closed for the event, and over 25,000 people visited the park.[19]

North Side Pageant Parades and Outing

The North Side Merchants Association held an outing at Olentangy Park on June 25, 1915. Before the outing, the association held an auto parade. The best-decorated car received $15 ($469 in 2025) in gold, and the second place won $10 ($312). The "Nine Big Brothers of the North Side" was a group of merchants on High Street north of the viaduct.

The parade started at the Russell Street entrance to Goodale Park at 1 p.m. into High Street, then went south on High Street, then turned back at Main Street to the park.[20]

The Ohio Auto Sales Company held a drawing for an automobile and other prizes at the park during the North Side Merchants' outing. Entry tickets were given upon purchase of their products at the nine participating stores.[21] The prizes included:

  • A $785 ($24,530 in 2025) Dodge Bros. Auto six-Passenger Touring Car
  • A $400 ($12,500) Choice Building Lot in Highland Gardens Addition, purchased from the Dominion Land Company
  • A $75 ($2,344) Cabinet Victrola
  • A $37.50 ($1,172) Wardrobe Trunk made by the Stallman Trunk Company
  • 50 prizes each of $5 ($156) leather suitcases

About 300,000 tickets were distributed for the event.[20]

Independent Order of Odd Fellows Events

The 76th Grand Encampment annual session of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I. O. O. F.) and the 21st annual session of Patriarchs Militant I. O. O. F. were held in Columbus from July 10-14. The Patriarchs Militant I. O. O. F. went into camp at Olentangy Park, and the session meetings were held at the theater.[22][23][24] A second reception and ball were held at the Dancing Pavilion on July 14. It was open to the public and known as Rebekah's Picnic and Grand Militant Ball.[25]

Rides and Attractions

Motion Pictures

Motion pictures were shown in the Theater on Sundays after the first two weeks.[26] For a list, please see the Theater section below.

New Motordrome

Main Article: Motordrome

A motordrome was erected in the north part of the park. It was 240 feet in circumference and 26 feet high. The main part of the track stood at a steep angle, and the top of the track was perpendicular to the ground. "Cyclone" Woodland and "Daredevil" Hill performed races and stunts from June 19-20, 1915.[27]

New Roller Skating Rink

Main Article: Roller Skating Rink (Portable)

A Kenyon Portable Roller Skating Rink was built just north of The Fun House[28][29][30] and operated by E. W. Nelson of Washington Court House, Ohio.[31] The structure was a Kenyon Portable Rink measuring 130 feet (39.6 meters) by 50 feet (15.2 meters).[32] It was described as being under canvas, but Kenyon Rinks were portable buildings. By July, the park listed the rink for sale "on account of death."[33] Nelson planned to open a new skating rink later.[34]

New Sea-Land Whirl

Main Article: Sea-Land-Whirl

The Sea-Land-Whirl was similar to a Merry-Go-Round, with six boats, each having steps and sitting up to ten passengers. The boats hung on axils and revolved around a center pole while the boats rocked back and forth, creating a rowing sensation.[35] Cars were made to "represent vessels for navigating water or air, and are to rock, or oscillate mechanically"[36] and give an imitation of a ride on the rough sea.[37]

It was created by the Sea Land Whirl Amusement Service Company[38][36] and was located in the park's north end.[39]

List of Rides and Attractions

Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater

Motion pictures were shown in the Theater on Sundays after the first two weeks.[26]

Rex Beach's big photo-production, "The Spoilers," with William Farnum, was shown on May 23.[40][41]

The feature photo-play (also called a motion picture), "The Dollar Mark," with Robert Warwick in the leading role, was shown on Sunday, May 30, 1915.[42]

During the week of August 9, twenty-five local women performed George M. Cohan's musical play, "Forty-five Minutes from Broadway," after the Mary Servoss Company's portrayal of "Camille."[43]

Mary Servoss Company

The Mary Servoss Company performed every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from May 31 to Labor Day.[26][40]

Members

  • William H. Barwald, stage director
  • Robert Elliot, leading actor
  • William H. Evarts
  • Marcella Forrester
  • Donald Gallaher
  • Virginia Howell - Resigned in July
  • Ruth Hunter
  • Charles Husted
  • Manart Kippen
  • Robert M. Middlemass
  • Edna May Oliver
  • Anthony Schaefer, scenic artist
  • Mary Servoss, leading actress
  • Dorothy Sutton
  • Hazel Turney
  • Gavin Young, stage manager

Shows

Week of May 31: "Within the Law" by Bayard Veiller

Week of June 6: "Baby Mine" by Margaret Mayo

Week of June 13: "A Woman's Way" written by Thompson Buchannan

Week of June 21: "The Dawn of a Tomorrow"

Week of June 28: "Nearly Married" by Edgar Selwyn

Week of July 5: "Seven Keys to Baldpate" - special holiday matinee on Monday, July 5

Week of July 12: "Maggie Pepper" by Rose Stahl

Week of July 19: "Marrying Money"

Week of July 26: "The Misleading Lady"

Week of August 2: "All-of-a-Sudden Peggy"

Week of August 9 & 16: "Camille" by Alexander Dumas

Week of August 23: "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare

Week of August 30: "Sauce for the Goose" by Grace George

North Band Shell

Main Article: Bandstand (2)


Cincione's Italian Union Concert Band provided the music on opening day[2] and the following week with Frank Carbone and H. J. Selby orchestras.[5]

The Republican Glee Club performed free minstrel shows at their annual outing on July 15. Each show was accompanied by a full orchestra.[44] Three thousand parkgoers watched the first show and the second was canceled due to a downpour. It was rescheduled for July 20.[45]

The Columbus Oratorio Society gave a free outing and concert on Wednesday, August 4, 1915.[46]

Other Outdoor Events and Activities

The Franklin County Knights of Pythias, the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan, the military department, the Pythian Sisters, and all other affiliated organizations gave a free big circus during their all-day annual outing on August 11.[47]

From August 15 through September 6, fifty "Real Iroquois Indians" performed "Hiawatha" in the open air at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. daily.[48][49]

Music

Cincione's Italian Union Concert Band provided the music on opening day[2] and the following week at the North Band Shell with Frank Carbone and H. J. Selby orchestras.[5]

On Saturday, May 22, the Jeffrey Choral Society gave free entertainment in the Theater for Jeffrey Manufacturing Company employees.[50]

The Public School Boys Orchestra, directed by W. D. Campbell and consisting of 40 members, performed on Monday, May 31.[51][52]

Creatore's Band held a concert in the afternoon and evening on Sunday, June 13.[53]

Activities

List of Activities

References

  1. ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 11, 1915,. Page 5.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 18, 1915. Page 5.
  3. ↑ "April Weather Records Broken by Sunday's Heat: Park Reaps Benefits." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 26, 1915. Page 3.
  4. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 8, 1915. Page 18.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 29, 1915. Page 18.
  6. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 5, 1915. Page 18.
  7. ↑ "Regular 'Jitney Bus' Line to Be Launched." Columbus Evening Dispatch. February 13, 1915. Page 3.
  8. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 24, 1915. Page 10.
  9. ↑ "Park Open Sundays Only." Columbus Evening Dispatch. September 10, 1915. Page 22.
  10. ↑ Advertisement. Columbus Evening Dispatch. September 24, 1915. Page 8.
  11. ↑ "Last Day at Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. September 25, 1915. Page 10.
  12. ↑ "New Site Offered School Board for North High School." Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 20, 1915. Page 3.
  13. ↑ "North Side People to Protest New Site." Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 21, 1915. Page 3.
  14. ↑ "Building Site is Not Yet Chosen for High School." Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 23, 1915. Page 2.
  15. ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 23, 1915. Page 7.
  16. ↑ "Olentangy Park to be Busy Place on Friday." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 16, 1915. Page 3.
  17. ↑ "Prizes for Parade." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 15, 1915. Page 10.
  18. ↑ "Grocers to Have Two Automobile Parades." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 16, 1915. Page 9.
  19. ↑ "Groceries Close While Crowds Go to Annual Picnic." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 23, 1915. Page 3.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "North Siders to Give Out 300,000 Outing Tickets." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 20, 1915. Page 13.
  21. ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. January 3, 1915. Page 20.
  22. ↑ "Off Fellows to Meet in Columbus Next Week." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. July 4, 1915. Page 5.
  23. ↑ "I. O. O. F. Encampment." Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (Lancaster, Ohio). June 29, 1915. Page 1. Accessed through Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/lancaster-eagle-gazette-i-o-o-f-enca/168504583/
  24. ↑ "Interest Shown in State Encampment." Springfield News-Sun (Springfield, Ohio). July 7, 1915. Page 4. Accessed through Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-news-sun-interest-shown-in-s/168505106/
  25. ↑ "No Changes Made in Program of I. O. O. F.." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 12, 1915. Page 6.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. April 22, 1915. Page 18.
  27. ↑ "Motordrome at Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. June 18, 1915. Page 22.
  28. ↑ "Park Opening." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 11, 1915. Page 43.
  29. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 18, 1915. Page 45.
  30. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 25, 1915. Page 44.
  31. ↑ Reynolds, Earle. 1915. "National Skating Association News." The Billboard, June 12, 1915. Vol. 27. Issue 24. Page 29.
  32. ↑ Fitzgerald, Julian T. 1915. "Skating Rink News." The Billboard, April 3, 1915. Vol. 27. Issue 14. Page 29.
  33. ↑ The Billboard, July 3, 1915. 27 (27): 86.
  34. ↑ Fitzgerald, Julian T. 1915. "Skating Rink News." The Billboard, October 30, 1915. Vol. 27. Issue 44. Page 30.
  35. ↑ "Has Proposition for New Factory." The Tribune (Coshocton, Ohio), September 16, 1914. Page 1. Accessed through Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80087755/has-proposition-for-new-factory/.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "'Whirl' Is Big Success at the Fair." The Tribune (Coshocton, Ohio), October 11, 1914. Page 5. Accessed through Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80087879/whirl-is-big-success-at-the-fair/.
  37. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 18, 1915. Page 45.
  38. ↑ "Corporation Is Dissolved." The Tribune (Coshocton, Ohio), September 9, 1915. Page 1. Accessed through Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80087241/corporation-is-dissolved/.
  39. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 25, 1915. Page 44.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 25, 1915. Page 5.
  41. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. May 9, 1915. Page 5.
  42. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 24, 1915. Page 16.
  43. ↑ "'Camille' at Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. August 8, 1915. Page 4.
  44. ↑ "Minstrels at the Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 14, 1915. Page 16.
  45. ↑ "Glee Club Concerts." Columbus Evening Dispatch. July 16, 1915. Page 18.
  46. ↑ "Festival Chorus at Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. August 1, 1915. Page 5.
  47. ↑ "Pythians' Circus." Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 10, 1915. Page 16.
  48. ↑ Advertisement. Columbus Evening Dispatch. August 14, 1915. Page 2.
  49. ↑ "'Hiawatha' at Olentangy." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. August 15, 1915. Page 4.
  50. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 14, 1915. Page 24.
  51. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 28, 1915. Page 24.
  52. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. May 29, 1915. Page 10.
  53. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. June 6, 1915. Page 4.


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