HISTORIC STRUCTURES

The structures and monuments which dot the landscape of Goodale Park are both architecturally and historically significant. From work by one of America’s leading 19th century sculptors to playful examples of architectural revivalism, they demonstrate shifting attitudes regarding the parks function and how the park is defined. They also demonstrate the continuous support and contributions of Columbus’ citizens to enhance, sustain, and preserve Goodale Park for future generations and for the enrichment of the community.

1. South Gates (c. 1870)

The stone and iron entry gates located on the south side of Goodale Park were part of a series of park improvements that occurred throughout the 1870’s. At one point considered the main entrance to the park, visitors would move through the gates and connect directly to the carriageway which circled the park. By 2000 the gates were in severe disrepair and in 2004 an effort to restore the gates had begun. After a multi-year effort to restore the gates, they were rededicated in 2014.

2. Dr. Lincoln Goodale Monument (c. 1888)

Located in the southeast corner of Goodale Park, the Lincoln Goodale Monument was dedicated in 1888. The bronze bust was commissioned by a city council committee who selected noted sculptor J. Quincy A. Ward whose other works include the life-size statue of George Washington located in front of Federal Hall in New York City as well as the design of the marble pediment sculptures for the New York Stock Exchange.

3. Park Street and Buttles Avenue Gates (c.1889)

In 1889 the Goodale Park Committee met to discuss a variety of measures that needed to be implemented in order to elevate the image of the park and alleviate safety concerns. It was determined that the increasingly dilapidated state of the parks surrounding fence needed to be replaced and stone gates and turnstiles to mark entry points were added along the north and east sides of the park.

4. Northwest Gate (c. 1899)

Located in the northwest corner of Goodale Park, this gate was partially donated to the park by William H. Fish and is commonly referred to as the Fish Gate. Designed by Isabell Terrell, the cornerstone for the gate was laid in 1899 by students from the nearby Hubbard Avenue School. The carved faces which appear around the gate represent the seven ages of man from Shakespeare’s As You Like It (infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, judge, old age, and finally corpse). An eighth face carved into the gate is that of Dr. Lincoln Goodale.

Located on the east side of Goodale Park, this memorial was dedicated on June 28, 1907 to Charles Benton Flagg and the United Commercial Travelers. Flagg had served as the first Supreme Secretary for the U.C.T., a fraternal organization founded by traveling salesmen. John E. Sater commissioned Thomas Staniland and Company of Dayton, Ohio to complete the memorial. It was moved to the U.C.T. headquarters at 632 North Park Street in 1949 but was finally returned to its original location in Goodale Park on March 21, 2012.

6. Shelter House (c. 1912)

Located in the center of Goodale Park, the current Goodale Park Shelter House was built in 1912 and designed by noted local architect Charles L. Inscho. Its design is representative of the then popular Arts and Crafts movement. Originally conceived as two pavilions connected by a columned breezeway, it was determined that the shelter house needed to serve a more year-round function and the breezeway was enclosed in 1974.

The small white gazebo located adjacent to the pond was donated to the park by the Friends of Goodale Park in 1991. Initially conceived as part of a park beautification effort, the gazebo has become one of Columbus’ most sought after venues for wedding and other events.

8. Goodale Park Fountain (c. 2013)

This large, multi-tiered fountain was dedicated on May 19, 2013. Friends of Goodale Park commissioned artist Malcolm Cochran in 2005 to create a water feature for the pond. The design references both previous stacked-rock fountains that were located in the park as well as the Sells Brothers Circus whose founding partner, Peter Sells, lived in a home adjacent to the park. This circus was one of the first in the country to use elephants which led to Cochrans decision to crown his work with two elephants spraying water.