Wonderland, Ohio

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Wonderland was formerly an upper-class resort community, situated just outside of the Columbus suburb of Gahanna, near a bend in Big Walnut Creek. It would be slowly abandoned over a period of years after the late 1920s. As recently as the mid-1990s there were still decaying roads and abandoned residential buildings; however, this land has been bought by the Port Columbus International Airport for future expansion, and has finally razed the remaining structures and fenced off the land. The only remaining reminder of this town is the Wonderland Church, on Friendship Drive, next to the interchange of Interstate 270 and Hamilton Road.

[edit] History

The Columbus Citizen 4/23/1927 page 7

Wonderland Opens Sunday

Many Improvements Mark New Development Dempsey-Forester Co., 40 W.Gay St,has been making strenuous efforts to complete their latest addition, Wonderland, acquired last Labor Day. Grand opening sale and picnic starts Sunday. Miles of streets have been graded, trees,trimmed. cinders are being places and a bridge 100 feet in length has been constructed to reach the two-acre wooded Island. Tradition has it that the sire of Wonderland was once the site of an Indian Village. These tribes were the last of the race to be moved to a point west, where they are located at the present time.

Park Dedicated

Dempsey-Forester Co. has dedicated a beautiful park running the entire length if Wonderland which has a frontage on Big Walnut Creek for more one and in-half miles and is ideal for the lover of the great out-of-doors, with its massive forest trees, sandy bathing beaches, wading pools for the kiddies, fishing, swings, picnic tables and benches. The stream at this point is very wide and deep, assuring lot purchasers of plenty of good boating and canoeing. A Seven acre tract of level Ground has been donated for the playgrounds to be used for Baseball, football, tennis and like sports.