A little of Japan in ClintonVille Olentangy park

FILE PHOTO

This photo looks like it could have been taken somewhere in Japan in the early 20th century. Actually, it was taken just north of The Ohio State University campus, northwest of Dodridge and High where today the Olentangy Village apartments are located. The photo itself holds a clue to this fact.

In 1899 Olentangy Park was opened by Will J. and Joe W. Dusenbury on the banks of the Olentangy River in what is now Clintonville. It was an amusement park featuring a dance pavilion, outdoor stage, theater, passenger and row boats, pool, restaurants, bowling alley, and a number of rides including the Red Devil roller coaster. One other feature was the Japanese village pictured here, which included Japanese gardens and a 'Banzai Bridge' purchased from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair after their exhibition there. It was seen as a tranquil area for relaxation away from some of the more raucous attractions of the park. If you look in the upper left hand corner of the photo, you can see one of the towers of the Red Devil just barely in frame.

In 1937 the park was purchased by L.L. LeVeque and within a couple years was torn down to make way for the Olentangy Village apartments.

For the non-Japanese speaker, 'Ohayoo' (pronounced much like the name of our state) means 'Good morning'. This gives us an unintentional (but correct I think) reputation as a friendly state.