1922 Season: Difference between revisions

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=== Rare Bird Sighted ===
=== Rare Bird Sighted ===
Mrs. W. H. Williams, employed at the Normandie Hotel, saw an Evening Grosbeak feeding on elm tree seeds in the ravine, just north of the main High Street entrance. She spotted it on Wednesday, April 26, and it was still seen days later. It was one of the rarest species to reach Ohio, having been seen only twice in the state before, and never near Columbus. It was also considered a mid-winter bird. It looks similar to a sparrow in shape, but is much larger with a stout green bill. It is light gray with white on its wings and yellow feathers on the back of its head. The bird is generally seen only in western Alberta, Canada. It had not been seen in Ohio since 1860.<ref>"Evening Grosbeak, Rare Bird, Seen at Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' April 29, 1922. Page 1.</ref><ref>"Our Distinguished Bird Visitor." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' May 3, 1922. Page 4.</ref>
Mrs. W. H. Williams, employed at the Normandie Hotel, saw an Evening Grosbeak feeding on elm tree seeds in the ravine, just north of the main High Street entrance. She spotted it on Wednesday, April 26, and it was still seen days later. It was one of the rarest species to reach Ohio, having been seen only twice in the state before, and never near Columbus. It was also considered a mid-winter bird. It looks similar to a sparrow in shape, but is much larger with a stout green bill. It is light gray with white on its wings and yellow feathers on the back of its head. The bird is generally seen only in western Alberta, Canada. It had not been seen in Ohio since 1860.<ref>"Evening Grosbeak, Rare Bird, Seen at Olentangy Park." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' April 29, 1922. Page 1.</ref><ref>"Our Distinguished Bird Visitor." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' May 3, 1922. Page 4.</ref>
=== Annual Veterans Banquet ===
The Columbus Division Employees' Athletic Association sponsored outdoor events in connection with the eighth annual banquet and outing of the Pennsylvania System Veteran Employees' Association on June 24. The outdoor activities included horseshoe pitching, shuffleboard contests, dashes, broad-jump competitions, and an egg race. The day also featured a boxing exhibition between mill artists of the Columbus Division and boys representing the Richmond and Indianapolis divisions.<ref>"To Entertain Veterans." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' June 11, 1922. Page 4.</ref>


== Deaths ==
== Deaths ==
Line 143: Line 146:
* The Fennards and their eccentric hats
* The Fennards and their eccentric hats
* Fancy skating
* Fancy skating
* Dare Devil Johnnie Reynolds, balancing act
* Daredevil Johnnie Reynolds, balancing act
 
==== Week of June 11 ====
* Marjorie Carson, comedienne
* Baker and Baker, in "A Musical Cocktail"
* Maurice and Girlie, a novelty act
* George Marlow, contortionist
* Accompanied by R. Jan Shellabarger and his orchestra of Columbus musicians


== Stunts and Outdoor Shows ==
== Stunts and Outdoor Shows ==
Daredevil Johnnie Reynolds performed a stunt at the [[Shoot-the-Chutes]] during the week of June 4.<ref>"Daredevil's Park Acts." ''The Columbus Dispatch.'' June 9, 1922. Page 44.</ref>


==Music==
==Music==

Latest revision as of 03:16, 7 December 2025

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

1922 Season
Leadership The Olentangy Park Company
Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
William J. Dusenbury
Joseph F. Luft, manager
Pre-season April 16, 1922 - May 28, 1922
Season Began May 29, 1922
New Attractions Carousel (1922)
Casino (2)
Dodgem
Joy Mill
Photographic Gallery (4)
Red Devil
Band(s) "Saxy" Strahl's Orchestra
Carboni's Melody Boys
Park Size 100 acres

Olentangy Park opened its 1922 season on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1922.[1][2] Prices on tickets were reduced, and the War Tax was not added to the cost.[3] It was only open on Sundays until May 28, then opened for daily operation.[4][5] The park closed ...

In May, Assistant Prosecutor Wilbur E. Benoy told Franklin County commissioners that the City of Columbus might annex 64 acres north of the park, with the possibility of annexing the park itself in the future. This would make land on three sides of the park part of the city while the park remained outside city bounds, but still in Franklin County.[6]

Park Improvements

Over $100,000$1.8 million in 2015 dollars were spent on improvements to the park for the 1922 season.[7] The Dusenbury Brothers added a new artistic iron fence along the High Street frontage for one-third of a mile. The fence had a concrete base with artistic brick columns every 50 feet and cost $20,000$361,984 in 2025 dollars.[7][8] A new administrative building was added.[9] They tore down the Colonnade and the restaurant building,[1] and replaced it with a new restaurant and refreshment stand in a new building that was 300 feet by 80 feet.[10][7] The refreshment stand was styled as a Japanese pagoda for the sale of root beer by the C. M. Walker Amusement and Construction Company of Rochester, New York.[11] The parking space near the High Street entrance was improved and enlarged. They constructed a new artistic concrete bridge across the ravine where the Photo Gallery was located.[12] The grounds were graded, and new walks were added.[8]

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

Notable Events

Rare Bird Sighted

Mrs. W. H. Williams, employed at the Normandie Hotel, saw an Evening Grosbeak feeding on elm tree seeds in the ravine, just north of the main High Street entrance. She spotted it on Wednesday, April 26, and it was still seen days later. It was one of the rarest species to reach Ohio, having been seen only twice in the state before, and never near Columbus. It was also considered a mid-winter bird. It looks similar to a sparrow in shape, but is much larger with a stout green bill. It is light gray with white on its wings and yellow feathers on the back of its head. The bird is generally seen only in western Alberta, Canada. It had not been seen in Ohio since 1860.[13][14]

Annual Veterans Banquet

The Columbus Division Employees' Athletic Association sponsored outdoor events in connection with the eighth annual banquet and outing of the Pennsylvania System Veteran Employees' Association on June 24. The outdoor activities included horseshoe pitching, shuffleboard contests, dashes, broad-jump competitions, and an egg race. The day also featured a boxing exhibition between mill artists of the Columbus Division and boys representing the Richmond and Indianapolis divisions.[15]

Deaths

John G. Pfaltzgraf died in May. He sold floss candy (now known as cotton candy) at the park for 12 years.[16]

Rides and Attractions

New Casino

Main Article: Casino (2)

The first Dancing Pavilion building was remodeled into a big refreshment building, the Casino (2), to serve customers attending shows at the Open-Air Theater.[1]

New Dodgem

Main Article: Dodgem

The Dodgem was a bumper car ride manufactured by the Stoehrer & Pratt Dodgem Corporation. It was housed in a building that was 80 feet by 150 feet,[1] and had a porch that wrapped around for onlookers. The floor was covered in steel, and overhead wire netting was stretched. Fancy upholstered cars, mounted on wheels that could turn in any direction, with each car holding two to four riders, were placed on the floor. An electric motor in the cars and trolleys that extended to the overhead wire netting generated an electric current to operate each car.[17] Some sources said it was the second Dodgem built after the first one was built for Atlantic City,[18] but an article in The Billboard about the manufacturer, Ralph Pratt, said there was a successful Dodgem ride at Revere Beach in Massachusetts in 1921 and the ride was sent to California and some southern states in late 1921.[19] The ride was built at the park by the C. M. Walker Amusement and Construction Company of Rochester, New York, and was said to be the most elaborate version of the ride.[11]

New Red Devil

Main Article: Red Devil

The Red Devil replaced the Scenic Coaster.[1][8] It was said to be the "fastest and longest riding device in the country." It had long and steep dips that gave riders the sensation of going over hills.[2]

Main Article: Carousel (1922)

A big circular carousel building and carousel was built just south of the Circle Swing.[8] Many articles say it was the building that was new, but also that it housed "one of the largest and most complete amusements of this character [carousels] in the country," suggesting the Grand Carousel or one of the other merry-go-rounds were moved there when the old Dancing Pavilion building was updated to become the Casino (2).[20]

Children's Playground Enlarged

The Children's Playground was enlarged when the move of the Whip added space.[8][18]

Joy Mill Enlarged

Main Article: Joy Mill

The Joy Mill was remodeled and enlarged.[8][18]

The Whip Moved

Main Article: The Whip

The Whip was moved from the Grove to the north end, between the Whirlwind and Shoot-the-Chutes.[1]

List of Rides and Attractions

Theater and Vaudeville

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Theater

The Dusenbury Brothers donated the use of the Theater to the Crestview School District on June 1 and the Knights of Pythias on June 9 and 10.[21]

The Crestview Junior High School Girls' Glee Club of 80 voices from the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades sang musical numbers on June 1, along with the boys' and mixed chorus, also numbering 80. The Roy Warblers organization performed a whistling set. The Crestview Orchestra, directed by Stella De Selm, also performed. The performances were under the charge of Grace G. Hafford.[22][23]

Charles N. Lum, as part of the Pythian Association of Franklin County, produced the musical comedy, "Love Laughs," in the theater on June 9 and 10. The cast included 125 people. Featured performers included: Lura C. Wine, a prima donna in the leading role, assisted by Juanita Hutchinson; Lina Furniss, a well-known contralto who sang the character role; Fred E. Wray, sang tenor; Don Rose, of the Scarlet Mask Club, sang baritone; Billy Hepburn, character man; James E. Hess, dancer; Grace Louise Ross, dancer; Mildred Rose, dancer; Billy Edwards; Dan Morrow; Donald Rihl; E. M. Kumler; and Jerry Beekman.[24]

The theater opened for the season on ...

Vaudeville

Vaudeville acts began on May 26 and were held at the Open-Air Theater.[10]

Week of May 26

  • Fiju Tamamato, slack wire artist
  • Collins and Dunbar, song and dance
  • Louise Ezcella, novelty act
  • La Hommedien Bros., comedy acrobatic bar act
  • Carbone's Orchestra
  • The Rainbow Band

Week of June 4

  • The Fennards and their eccentric hats
  • Fancy skating
  • Daredevil Johnnie Reynolds, balancing act

Week of June 11

  • Marjorie Carson, comedienne
  • Baker and Baker, in "A Musical Cocktail"
  • Maurice and Girlie, a novelty act
  • George Marlow, contortionist
  • Accompanied by R. Jan Shellabarger and his orchestra of Columbus musicians

Stunts and Outdoor Shows

Daredevil Johnnie Reynolds performed a stunt at the Shoot-the-Chutes during the week of June 4.[25]

Music

"Saxy" Strahl's Orchestra performed in the Dancing Pavilion.[26]

Carboni's Melody Boys were also listed as a musical act for the park's opening.[3]

Sports

Swimming

There were aquatic events at the pool by the Allegheny Mountain Association.[4]

Roger Addison, representing the Olentangy Swimming Club, finished third in the 100-yard senior championship event in the swim meet held in Cincinnati on June 3. He and his brother, Hugh, won first and second, respectively, in the 200-yard open championship. Roger's time was 2 minutes, 30.25 seconds in the 200-yard contest.[27]

Activities

Dancing in the Dancing Pavilion was from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.[3]

List of Activities

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Spring Building at Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. March 24, 1922. Page 14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Park Opens Today." The Columbus Dispatch. April 16, 1922. Page 8.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Advertisement. The Columbus Dispatch. April 16, 1922. Page 8.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Olentangy Season Opens Sunday." The Columbus Dispatch. May 26, 1922. Page 44.
  5. ↑ "Park Now Open Daily." The Columbus Dispatch. May 28, 1922. Page 8.
  6. ↑ "Annexation Ruling." The Columbus Dispatch. May 4, 1922. Page 17.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Olentangy Park." The Billboard. Dec. 3, 1921. Vol. 33. No. 49. Page 78. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "Big Improvement at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. April 2, 1922. Page 8.
  9. ↑ "At Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. April 17, 1922. Page 24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Pool to Open Soon." The Columbus Dispatch. May 21, 1922. Page 8.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "New Devices to be Built at Olentangy Park, Columbus, O.—Contract Awarded Rochester Firm." The Billboard. Jan. 28, 1922. Vol. 34. No. 4. Page 74. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  12. ↑ "Future of Olentangy Park." The Columbus Dispatch. July 17, 1921. Page 29.
  13. ↑ "Evening Grosbeak, Rare Bird, Seen at Olentangy Park." The Columbus Dispatch. April 29, 1922. Page 1.
  14. ↑ "Our Distinguished Bird Visitor." The Columbus Dispatch. May 3, 1922. Page 4.
  15. ↑ "To Entertain Veterans." The Columbus Dispatch. June 11, 1922. Page 4.
  16. ↑ "Deaths." The Billboard. May 20, 1922. Vol. 34. No. 20. Page 106.
  17. ↑ "On the 'Dodgem'." The Columbus Dispatch. April 9, 1922. Page 7.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "New Amusement Devices." The Columbus Dispatch. April 30, 1922. Page 8.
  19. ↑ "Dodgems Get The Business." The Billboard. Sept. 24, 1921. Vol. 33. No. 39 Page 85. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  20. ↑ "Park is Open Today." The Columbus Dispatch. April 23, 1922. Page 7.
  21. ↑ "Donate Use of Theater." The Columbus Dispatch. May 25, 1922. Page 7.
  22. ↑ "Will Present Concert." The Columbus Dispatch. May 28, 1922. Page 2.
  23. ↑ "Crestview School Music Fest." The Columbus Dispatch. May 31, 1922. Page 38.
  24. ↑ "Musical Comedy Will Be Offered at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. June 1, 1922. Page 10.
  25. ↑ "Daredevil's Park Acts." The Columbus Dispatch. June 9, 1922. Page 44.
  26. ↑ "Park to Open Easter." The Columbus Dispatch. April 9, 1922. Page 8.
  27. ↑ "Addison Boys in Winning Contests." The Columbus Dispatch. June 4, 1922. Page 3.
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