minerva park - historical marker
The proud heritage of Minerva Park is immortalized with a historical marker located at the northeast corner of the South Lake. Our appreciation for making this marker a reality goes to Barbara Donley for the initial concept and extensive research; to Bob Stuart, Minerva Park's de facto historian; and to Sharon Bierman, for the final text & design and for completing the process with the Ohio Historical Society and marker fabricator.
minerva amusement park
7-13-1895 to 7-27-1902
For seven glorious summers, laughter and gaiety rang forth from the first
amusement park in Franklin County. With intoxicants banned, the Park was
enjoyed by
the “respectable” folk of the Gay ’90s—the stone water tower/jail was quick to house
any ruffian who threatened disharmony. Delighting young and old were the Zoological
Garden, Ornithological Museum, the Scenic Railway roller coaster, Shoot the Chutes
(the water slide of its day), swimming, boating, baseball, bowling, concerts,
dancing, picnics, strolls in the cool woodlands, pony rides, fireworks, the
orchestrion replicating a 36-piece orchestra, grande vaudeville, and theater. Minerva Park’s
popularity faded with the opening of Olentangy Park, only 3 miles from downtown
Columbus.
Text on the photo ...
The original dance pavilion burned in September 1896.
It was thought by some to be the result of an incendiary, but the manager attributed
the fire to a cigar stump being thrown
in the rubbish under the pavilion. This new “Casino” was constructed
in only 37 days, just in time for the opening of the third season on June 27,
1897. It measured 242’ by 116’, with encircling
verandas of 16’ and 25’. With “all games of chance or gambling
of any kind prohibited,” the
Casino was not a gambling house. Offering a 3,500-seat theatre, orchestra circle,
restaurants, and gallery, it showcased the finest vaudeville acts of the time.
The season ran from May to September.
the
green line
At an August 1891 public meeting, Westerville citizens voiced indignation at the failure of the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railway Co. to provide transportation for 400 passengers who had purchased tickets to the State Fair. The regular train had failed to stop, stranding the passengers for hours. Garry Waldo Meeker (1859–1917) suggested that an electric railway between Columbus and Westerville would be an indispensable public convenience. Four years later, he piloted the first electric car of the new Columbus Central Railway Co. from Broad & High into Westerville. To encourage ridership, Meeker conceived of a recreation park along the route, located on the 227-acre farmland that he had purchased in July 1892. Accommodating up to 25,000 visitors daily, the Park was named in honor of Minerva Shipherd, wife of John S. Shipherd (Cleveland), the first president of the new Railway Co. – not after the Roman goddess, as folklore suggests.
Text on the photo ...
Departing from Town & High, the green cars reached Minerva Park in 54
minutes, traveling at an exhilarating speed of 12 mph. The 5¢ round-trip
fare included admission to the Park and all activities. Passengers appreciated
the 3,000-gallon
sprinkler street car that traversed
the line twice daily, keeping the dust along the route to a minimum by wetting
the streets nearly curb to curb. This sketch depicts a car leaving the Westerville
barn.
This
watercolor of the Roman goddess Minerva hangs in the Community Building and
is mistakenly considered by many to be the namesake of the Village (it's our
"inside joke"). It was drawn by Ray Beougher, who for 10 years contributed
to the "Villager" newsletter
with his drawings, commentary, and profiles of Village residents.
This site will continue to add more Minerva Park history and more illustrations from Ray Beougher ... stay tuned!