Mystic Castle
| Other Name(s) | Castle Mystic |
|---|---|
| Type | Funhouse |
| Park Section | Midway |
| Built | 1904 |
| Opened | 1904 |
| Closed | 1906 |
| Architect | J. W. Zarro |
| Number of Stories | 1 |
The Mystic Castle or Castle Mystic[1] was a funhouse attraction south of the first Old Mill next to the Laughing Gallery at Olentangy Park. Built in 1904,[2] it was described in the Columbus Sunday Dispatch as "full of mirth and mystery."[3]
This attraction had the endless tunnel, the haunted swing, the rocky pass, the collapsible platform, the grotto, Kelly's slide, Jacob's ladder, the fountain of youth, the observatory, the magic mirror, the drunkard's pathway, Dooley's art gallery, the mysterious elevator, and other features. It was constructed under the personal supervision of J. W. Zarro of Cincinnati and his Zarro Amusement Device Co..[4][5]
An article in The Columbus Sunday Dispatch said the attraction closed in 1905[6], but later articles said the attraction was open in 1906.[7] It was replaced with the second Dancing Pavilion.[8]
Gallery
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The Midway at Olentangy Park (c. 1904-1906) showing the original Ye Old Mill, Mystic Castle, and Laughing Gallery.
References
- ↑ Barrett, Richard E. 1984. "Olentangy Park: Four Decades of Fun." Columbus and Central Ohio Historian No. 1, April 1984. Page 11.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park, Theater and Zoological Garden." Columbus Evening Dispatch, May 1, 1904. Page 29.
- ↑ "Grand Opening Olentangy Park, Theater and Zoo." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 24, 1904. Page 4.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park, a Coney Island Rival" The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, May 1, 1904. Page 4.
- ↑ The Billboard, April 23, 1904. Vol. 16. Issue 17. Page 8. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
- ↑ "Resorts are Planning Many Improvements." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, February 11, 1906. Page 7.
- ↑ "The Opening of Olentangy Park." The Marion Star (Marion, Ohio), April 28, 1906. Page 10. Accessed through Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-the-opening-of-olentangy/161648170/
- ↑ Barrett, Richard E. 2002. Columbus, Ohio: 1898-1950 in Vintage Postcards. Postcard Image. United States: Arcadia, 2002.