Schiller Park (Columbus, Ohio)

File:Schiller Park JJ 02.jpg

During the nineteenth century, the land was originally owned by Francis Stewart and was known as "Stewart's Grove."{{cite journal|last1=Phillips|first1=David E.|title=Monumental Inscriptions From Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio|journal=The "Old Northwest" Genealogical Quarterly|date=July 1907|volume=10|page=256|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cBEzAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22Stewart%27s+Grove%22+columbus&pg=PA256|accessdate=25 August 2014|publisher="Old Northwest" Genealogical Society|location=Columbus, Ohio}} It had been the area's center for festivals and neighborhood activities since the 1800s, including the Independence Day celebration of 1830 and Ohio State Fairs of 1864 and 1865. By 1866, David W. Deshler, his son William G. Deshler, and Allen G. Thurman purchased the property with the aim of having it permanently serve the public. Shortly afterwards, the City of Columbus purchased the park in April 1867 for $15,000 from the Deshlers and Thurman.{{cite news|last1=Lentz|first1=Ed|title=Deshlers Made Their Mark On Developing Columbus|url=http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/bexley/news/2008/12/17/1218belentz_ln.html|accessdate=17 August 2014|work=ThisWeek Community News|publisher=Dispatch Media Group|date=June 15, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Thurman, Allen Granberry, (1813 - 1895)|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000251|website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=17 August 2014}} Upon purchase, the park was renamed "The City Park" and is ranked as the second oldest park in the city following Goodale Park.{{cite web|title=Surveyor's Journal Entry Nineteen: Public Health Issues Intensify the Need For Open Land and Preservation|url=http://www.franklincountyengineer.org/history/county-surveyingland-history/surveyors-journals/entry-nineteen-public-health-issues-intensify-teh-need-for-open-land-and-preservation/index|publisher=Franklin County Engineer’s Office|accessdate=17 August 2014}}

Between the middle and end of the nineteenth century, the area surrounding "City Park" became increasingly populated by German immigrants.{{cite book|last1=High|first1=Jeffrey L.|last2=Martin|first2=Nicholas|last3=Oellers|first3=Norbert|title=Who is This Schiller Now?: Essays on His Reception and Significance|date=2011|publisher=Camden House|isbn=9781571134882|pages=11–12|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XPxyAPjFl24C&dq=%22schiller+park%22+columbus&pg=PA11}} On July 4, 1891 during a Fourth of July celebration, a statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759–1805) was dedicated to the park by the German-born residents.{{cite web|title=Schiller Park|url=http://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Schiller-Park/|website=The City of Columbus, Recreation and Parks|publisher=City of Columbus, Ohio|accessdate=16 August 2014}}{{cite book|last1=Betti|first1=Tom|last2=Sauer|first2=Doreen Uhas|title=Historic Columbus Taverns: The Capital City's Most Storied Saloons|date=2012|publisher=The History Press|isbn=9781609496708|page=56|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mhB0Uw_U730C&dq=%22schiller+park%22+columbus&pg=PA56}} Friedrich von Schiller was a famous German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. The statue in German Village is a second casting of the original statue in Munich, Germany.{{cite book|last1=Berlepsch|first1=H. A.|title=Munich: Its Art Treasures and Curiosities. Supplement to every Travelling Guide by H. A. Berlepsch. With a Plan of the City, and a Map of Its Environs|date=1871|publisher=Bruckmann|pages=47–48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PD1SAAAAcAAJ&dq=%22MAY+9%2C+1863%22+WIDNMANN&pg=PA48}} The original statue was designed and executed by Max von Widnmann and unveiled in Munich on May 9, 1863, an anniversary of Friedrich von Schiller's death. The Columbus City Council passed Ordinance No. 22,233 on April 3, 1905 to rename "The City Park" to "Schiller Park" as a namesake.{{cite journal|title=An Ordinance No. 22,233 - The City Park, Authorizing Change of Name to Schiller Park|journal=Columbus City Bulletin|date=April 3, 1905|page=613|publisher=City of Columbus}}

The park, once a community meeting ground for the German settlement, is now the site of recreational facilities, gardens, and an amphitheater. Free live performances of Shakespearean plays are enacted during the summer months courtesy of Actors' Theatre of Columbus.{{cite news|last1=Tebben|first1=Gerald|title=Columbus Mileposts - July 23, 1982: At Schiller Park, Actors' Theatre Sets Stage For Midsummer Tradition|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/23/at-schiller-park-actors-theatre-sets-stage-for-midsummer-tradition.html|accessdate=17 August 2014|work=The Columbus Dispatch|publisher=The Dispatch Printing Company|date=July 23, 2012}} Along the main entrance of the park, facing City Park Avenue, visitors are greeted by the Huntington Gardens that are sponsored by Huntington National Bank and maintained by volunteers. The park is also home to Umbrella Girl, dedicated to the citizens of German Village in October 1996 to replace Hebe, the missing original sculpture.

File:Schiller Park JJ 01.jpg|The park and its shelterhouse beside German Village and Downtown Columbus

File:Columbus, Ohio Ɱ 92.jpg|Statue of Friedrich Schiller

File:Columbus, Ohio Ɱ 97.jpg|Umbrella Girl statue and fountain

File:Columbus, OH - Schiller Park.jpg|Winding pathway amid park space

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• List of parks in Columbus, Ohio

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{{commons category|Schiller Park (Columbus, Ohio)}}

• [http://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Schiller-Park/ Schiller Park] by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
• [http://germanvillage.com/visitors-center/stroll/schiller-park/ Schiller Park] by the German Village Society

{{German Village}}

{{Columbus Recreation and Parks}}

Category:1867 establishments in Ohio

Category:German Village

Category:Parks in Columbus, Ohio

Category:Historic district contributing properties in Columbus, Ohio

Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1867

Category:Parks established in the 1860s

Category:Protected areas established in 1867