1922 Season

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1922 Season
Leadership The Olentangy Park Company
Jacob F. Luft, manager
Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
William J. Dusenbury
Pre-season April 16, 1922 - May 28, 1922
Season May 29, 1922 - Sept. 4, 1922
Post-season Sept. 10, 1922 - Sept. 24, 1922
New Attractions Casino (2)
Dodgem
Grand Carousel
Joy Mill
Photographic Gallery (4)
Red Devil
Band(s) "Saxy" Strahl's Orchestra
Carboni's Melody Boys
American Legion Band
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]

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]

The park was advertised around the state as having the largest dancing pavilion and swimming pool found in any resort in the country.[7] A Dispatch article said the park was the "biggest amusement [resort] of its kind in the country."[8]

The park closed except for Sundays again after Labor Day on Sept. 4.[9] The park closed for the season on Sunday, September 24, 1922.[10] Over 150,000 vehicles were checked in and out of the parking lot during the season.[11]

Park Improvements

Over $100,000$1.8 million in 2015 dollars were spent on improvements to the park for the 1922 season.[12] 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.[12][13] A new administrative building was added.[14] 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.[15][12] 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.[16] The parking space near the High Street entrance was improved and enlarged, and a 100-foot light tower was added.[7] The light tower had rows of incandescent lights placed at each of the four corners extending the entire height of the tower, and midway to the top are eight 1,000-watt lamps. At the top, a powerful searchlight was placed, said to be visible as far as Worthington and other points within a radius of 8 to 10 miles.[17] They constructed a new artistic concrete bridge across the ravine where the Photo Gallery was located.[18] The grounds were graded, and new walks were added.[13]

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.[19][20]

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.[21]

Record Attendance at Grocers' Picnic

The Retail Grocers' Association held its 24th annual picnic on June 22 and broke attendance records. At least 35,000 attended the gathering.[22]

Pennsylvania Railroad System Veteran Outing

The seventh annual gathering of the Pennsylvania Lines' veteran employees was held at the park on Saturday, June 24. The organization was comprised of employees of 20 or more years of service with the Pennsylvania system. The event included a basket picnic for members and their families, a short business session, speakers, a group photograph, vaudeville shows, a boxing exhibition involving men from the Richmond and Indianapolis divisions, an egg race for women, a 50-yard dash for women, fat and lean men's races, and other events.[23][24]

First Regatta in Five Years Held

The members of the Olentangy Canoe Club held a regatta on July 4. It was the first regatta since 1917, when they held the state championship on the Olentangy River. There were more than 20 races, with the biggest interest in the three four-man canoe teams and the tilting contest. A water polo game and a carnival dance completed the day's events. Fireworks were initially planned, but canceled after a mishap during an Indianapolis fireworks display a few weeks earlier. Prizes were awarded to the contest winners.[25][26]

Annexation Proposed

The Columbus City Council completed legislation on July 10 to annex 64 acres north of Olentangy Park between High Street and the Olentangy River. It was part of a larger effort to enlarge the city by 500 to 600 acres.[27]

"Buddy Day" for Disabled Veterans

Disabled American veterans of World War I from all over Ohio held a "Buddy Day" outing on Aug. 9.[28] The day was designated "Boddy Day" by National Commander Hamilton C. Cook and was observed all over the country. There were about 900 Disabled Veterans in Franklin County and about 700 other veterans eligible for membership at the time. As a statewide initiative, the Commander of the McConnelsville Sanitorium also sent all of their veterans to the park that day. Commander Frank Gillbert of Columbus extended a special invitation to all members of the American Legion and to all soldiers and ex-soldiers, whether they belonged to an organization or not, including all veterans of World War I, the Spanish-American War, the Civil War, and to all members of National Guard organizations and the regular army. It was further extended to include the army and Red Cross nurses, the Ladies' auxiliaries, and all who saw active service in the First World War, including the Red Cross, YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army, and other similar organizations engaged in the war. Those invited could visit for free by wearing their uniform or by showing a badge, button, or membership card for a military or veteran organization. Those who weren't part of an organization could attend for free if they could provide proof of past involvement in any American war. For those unable to walk to the park, the Columbus Auto Club provided rides to and from the park in automobiles.[29]

Injuries

Addie and Homer Jackson were injured Sept. 10 when one of the cars of the Over-the-Top failed to stop, turned upside-down, and they fell to the ground. The stop brakes at the end of the trip failed to check the car's movement, and they kept going until the first sharp turn, when the car was thrown from the track. Addie was taken to St. Francis Hospital with bruises and internal injuries. Homer was taken to the Protestant Hospital with a fractured arm.[30]

Deaths

John G. Pfaltzgraf died in May. He sold floss candy (now known as cotton candy) at the park for 12 years.[31]

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 Center Bandstand

Main Article: Bandstand (4)

A platform was built between the Dancing Pavilion and the Casino in July.[32]

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.[33] Some sources said it was the second Dodgem built after the first one was built for Atlantic City,[34] 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.[35] 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.[16]

New Red Devil

Main Article: Red Devil

The Red Devil replaced the Scenic Coaster.[1][13] 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: Grand Carousel

A big circular carousel building and Grand cCarousel was built just south of the Circle Swing.[13] The ride was first an attraction at Kister's Hotel on Surf Avenue at New York's Coney Island.[36] The horses and decorations were carved by Marcus C. Illions and Sons,[37][38] in collaboration with William F. Mangels[39] and the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC).[40]

Children's Playground Enlarged

The Children's Playground was enlarged when the move of the Whip added space.[13][34]

Joy Mill Enlarged

Main Article: Joy Mill

The Joy Mill was remodeled and enlarged.[13][34]

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.[41]

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.[42][43]

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.[44]

Mary B. Stevenson produced "The Enchanted Princess," performed by 70 of her pupils, to benefit the children's hospital on June 23. After struggling to find a goat cart for one of the scenes, the Columbus Dispatch published an article about the search.[45][46]

Vaudeville

Vaudeville acts began on May 26 and were held at the Open-Air Theater.[15]

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

Week of June 25

  • Pat White and his dancing dog
  • Mowett and Mullen, comedy dancing team
  • An instrumental solo
  • The Voltaires, balancing and other gymnastics
  • Fitzgerald Duo, barrel jumpers

Week of July 2

  • The Great LaRose, an artistic act showing unusual muscular development
  • Reba and Tracy, two finished dancers
  • Gene Rud, xylophone solo
  • Anna Woodward, internationally known vocalist and harpist
  • The Lilettas, novelty balancing and acrobatic act

Woodward also sang at the Casino across from the Open-Air Theater.[47]

Week of July 9

  • Frank LaTour

Week of July 23

  • Cello and Co., musicians and comedians
  • Panzer Brothers, balancing act
  • 166th Infantry, Rainbow Division Band, under the direction of Lieut. Frank Carbone
  • R. Jan Shellabarger's Orchestra

Week of July 30

  • Panzer Brothers, acrobatic act
  • Mon Pal Duo, well-known operatic singers
  • Royal Danes, high-class dancers
  • Kaufman and Webster, bicyclists
  • R. Jan Shellabarger's Orchestra

Week of Aug. 13

  • Revolving Collins, artistic skating
  • Elder Sisters, dancing act
  • Violet and Lewis, novelty aerial act
  • Edwards and Edwards, acrobatic act de luxe

Week of Aug. 20

  • Maj. William G. Patterson, former piping major for the British Army
  • James Hess, Scotch dancer
  • Latham and Rubye, clever aerial team
  • Blanchard Troup, tumbling and hand balancing
  • Garrison Sisters, artistic posing act

Week of Aug. 27

  • Frank Wilbur, juggling
  • Fay and Weston, dancing act
  • Aerial Silverglades, acrobatics
  • James Hess, Scotch dancer
  • Major William G. Patterson, former piping major for the British Army

Stunts and Outdoor Shows

Daredevil Johnnie Reynolds performed a stunt at the Shoot-the-Chutes during the week of June 4.[48]

Music

"Saxy" Strahl's Orchestra performed in the Dancing Pavilion.[49]

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

The American Legion Band, led by Lieut. W. A. Sands, performed in the Grove on July 16. Lieut. Sands formerly directed the old Fourth Regiment Band and the Rainbow Band while they were in France and Germany.[50] The band returned July 30, and performed at a new Center Bandstand between the Dancing Pavilion and the Casino.[51]

Lieut. Frank Carbone directed the 166th Infantry, Rainbow Division Band in performances on Sunday, July 23, and as part of the outdoor vaudeville performances throughout the week.[52]

For 10 days starting July 26, Professor Al Franck [or Frank] and his dancing assistant, Mary Conway, of the Euclid Academy, appeared on the dance floor of the Dancing Pavilion, teaching visitors new dances.[53] The dances taught included the Varsity Nine and Seven, Chappy Catch-Step, and the Columbus, in fox trots, the latter being the original dance created by Professor Franck. They also taught the new 1922 combination waltzes.[54]

R. Jan Shellabarger's Orchestra performed in the Casino, and Carl Claspill and his Ohio Seven danced in the Dancing Pavilion the week of Aug. 13.[55]

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.[56]

Several swimming championships in the district covered by the Allegheny Mountain Association were decided July 12 at the Swimming Pool. The men's races included a 50-yard senior freestyle, a 220-yard freestyle, and a 50-yard junior freestyle.[57]

Johnny Weismuller, World's Champion Swimmer, performed at the Swimming Pool on Aug. 1.[58]

Wrestling

Al Haft, wrestling coach of The Ohio State University, presented wrestling bouts on the Open-Air Stage each Saturday starting Aug. 5. Nebraska heavyweight Bill Hutton and Farmer Jack Burns of Utica[59] started the series. Each of the men weighed in at about 200 pounds. The winner, Burns,[60] went on to contest with George Walker, the heavyweight champion of Canada.[61][62] Burns asked Walker to wrestle six 10-minute rounds instead of one fall to finish.[60] They agreed to wrestle either to one fall or six 10-minute rounds with a one-minute rest between rounds, and to have two judges collaborating with the referee.[63] Burns won and wrestled Jack Sherry, of Wyoming, known as the cowboy wrestler, Aug. 19, at the Band Shell.[64] Sherry won and wrestled Steve Pappas, the heavyweight champion of Buffalo, New York, on Aug. 26.[65] Sherry won the bout and wrestled against John Evko of Chicago on Sept. 2.[66] The winner went against Kotsonaros on Labor Day, Sept. 4.[67]

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 "Olentangy Park Notice." The Union County Journal (Union County, Ohio). Aug. 25, 1922. Page 4. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Olentangy Well Patronized." The Columbus Dispatch. July 20, 1922. Page 28.
  9. ↑ "Closed After Monday, Week Days." The Columbus Dispatch. Sept. 3, 1922. Page 10.
  10. ↑ "Last Day at Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. Sept. 24, 1922. Page 11.
  11. ↑ "Parking at the Park." The Columbus Dispatch. May 25, 1923. Page 48.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Olentangy Park." The Billboard. Dec. 3, 1921. Vol. 33. No. 49. Page 78. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 "Big Improvement at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. April 2, 1922. Page 8.
  14. ↑ "At Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. April 17, 1922. Page 24.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Pool to Open Soon." The Columbus Dispatch. May 21, 1922. Page 8.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "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.
  17. ↑ "Huge Light Tower at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 15, 1922. Page 26.
  18. ↑ "Future of Olentangy Park." The Columbus Dispatch. July 17, 1921. Page 29.
  19. ↑ "Evening Grosbeak, Rare Bird, Seen at Olentangy Park." The Columbus Dispatch. April 29, 1922. Page 1.
  20. ↑ "Our Distinguished Bird Visitor." The Columbus Dispatch. May 3, 1922. Page 4.
  21. ↑ "To Entertain Veterans." The Columbus Dispatch. June 11, 1922. Page 4.
  22. ↑ "Grocers Busy After Their Annual Picnic." The Columbus Dispatch. June 23, 1922. Page 13.
  23. ↑ "Old Railroaders to Stage Yearly Meeting at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. June 22, 1922. Page 10.
  24. ↑ "Veteran Workers for Pennsy Lines Gather at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. June 25, 1922. Page 13.
  25. ↑ "Canoe Club Regatta to Be Staged on Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. July 2, 1922. Page 6.
  26. ↑ "Ward Winner of Dispatch Trophy." The Columbus Dispatch. July 5, 1922. Page 32.>
  27. ↑ "Annexation Proposed." The Columbus Dispatch. July 11, 1922. Page 2.
  28. ↑ "'Buddy Day' Outing." Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio). Aug. 4, 1922. Page 1. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "Disabled Veterans to Observe 'Buddy' Day." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 3, 1922. Page 27.
  30. ↑ "Two Persons Injured in Accident at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. Sept. 11, 1922. Page 9.
  31. ↑ "Deaths." The Billboard. May 20, 1922. Vol. 34. No. 20. Page 106.
  32. ↑ "New Bandstand at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. July 29, 1922. Page 14.
  33. ↑ "On the 'Dodgem'." The Columbus Dispatch. April 9, 1922. Page 7.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 "New Amusement Devices." The Columbus Dispatch. April 30, 1922. Page 8.
  35. ↑ "Dodgems Get The Business." The Billboard. Sept. 24, 1921. Vol. 33. No. 39 Page 85. Accessed through the Internet Archive.
  36. ↑ "OH – Columbus Zoo Carousel – 1914 Mangels-Illions." CarouselHistory.com. Aug. 12, 1915.
  37. ↑ "Amusement Ride Company List." Ohio Department of Agriculture. Database. Last updated 2025. Accessed July 3, 2025.
  38. ↑ Bartlett, Margo. "Making a Splash." The Delaware Gazette (Delaware, Ohio). July 6, 1998. Page 17. Accessed through Newspapers.com. Clip 1 Clip 2
  39. ↑ "4-21 Grand Carousel." Remarkable Ohio. Part of the Ohio History Connection. Retrieved Dec. 9, 2025.
  40. ↑ Fried, Frederick. A Pictorial History of the Carousel.
  41. ↑ "Donate Use of Theater." The Columbus Dispatch. May 25, 1922. Page 7.
  42. ↑ "Will Present Concert." The Columbus Dispatch. May 28, 1922. Page 2.
  43. ↑ "Crestview School Music Fest." The Columbus Dispatch. May 31, 1922. Page 38.
  44. ↑ "Musical Comedy Will Be Offered at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. June 1, 1922. Page 10.
  45. ↑ Goat Cart is Sought. Columbus Dispatch. June 19, 1922. Page 7.
  46. ↑ "Hospital to Benefit By Children's Dance." Columbus Dispatch. June 20, 1922. Page 3.
  47. ↑ "Anticipating the Fourth." The Columbus Dispatch. July 2, 1922. Page 8.
  48. ↑ "Daredevil's Park Acts." The Columbus Dispatch. June 9, 1922. Page 44.
  49. ↑ "Park to Open Easter." The Columbus Dispatch. April 9, 1922. Page 8.
  50. ↑ "Special Day at Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. July 16, 1922. Page 8.
  51. ↑ "Legion Band for Next Sunday." The Columbus Dispatch. July 26, 1922. Page 28.
  52. ↑ "Music for Olentangy." The Columbus Dispatch. July 21, 1922. Page 38.
  53. ↑ "Vaudeville Out of Doors." The Columbus Dispatch. July 24, 1922. Page 22.
  54. ↑ "Proper Dancing is Exhibited at the Park." The Columbus Dispatch. July 30, 1922. Page 17.
  55. ↑ "Sand's Band to Play." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 13, 1922. Page 8.
  56. ↑ "Addison Boys in Winning Contests." The Columbus Dispatch. June 4, 1922. Page 3.
  57. ↑ "Interstate Swimming Meet." The Columbus Dispatch. July 11, 1922. Page 28.
  58. ↑ Advertisement. The Columbus Dispatch. July 29, 1922. Page 12.
  59. ↑ "Fine Mat Duel is Expected by Haft." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 4, 1922. Page 35.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 "Burns Wants to Scrap by Rounds." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 10, 1922. Page 24.
  61. ↑ "Wrestling at Park to Start Saturday." The Columbus Dispatch. July 31, 1922. Page 19.
  62. ↑ "Free Wrestling Bouts." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 1, 1922. Page 22.
  63. ↑ "Walker and Burns Reach Agreement." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 11, 1922. Page 34.
  64. ↑ "Al Haft Praises Wrestler Sherry." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 18, 1922. Page 32.
  65. ↑ "Wrestling at Park." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 26, 1922. Page 8.
  66. ↑ "Olentangy at Its Best." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 31, 1922. Page 30.
  67. ↑ "Columbus Mat Fans Like Haft's New Heavyweight." The Columbus Dispatch. Aug. 21, 1922. Page 14.
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