Schiller Park Part II (German Village)

In Part I of Schiller Park we learned this park is old, has a very long and rich history, was involved in books being burned, involved politically long before being politically correct came into the picture. This park is much more then grass and trees. You expect grass and trees at any and all parks, but this one has much more to offer and learn and enjoy. You can read Part I HERE
Schiller Park named for Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, a man of enlightenment can to this day enlighten all who visit and take time. As you stroll about the park, walk or run about the park, chase children and dogs about the park..........take time. On the paths that surround beautiful flower beds are poetic phrases and quotes to ponder.

When most people think of William Tell, they probably think about Robin Hood and arrows and apples on peoples heads. However here in stone are some of his words to ponder, to contemplate and to share.
There are many quotes in the park. I photographed a few of my favorites. The date on these 2 quotes of William Tell, 1804 I found interesting. You see Ohio became a state in 1803. So, one year later these important words were written. These words are still quite meaningful today, some 207 years after they were spoken.
Now this quote, "In The Sanctuary of Your Heart with God, the words are not as important as faith." This gave me pause. Perhaps this woman who was executed by her cousin Queen Elizabeth kept her sanity during her imprisonment by having her inner thoughts and faith. Queen of Scots, wrongly accused of poisoning her husband, imprisoned and executed...she had a short a tragic life. Schiller wrote a play, a tragedy about her life.
Joan of Arc, how can one not be inspired when thinking about her and her words? When a young women she lead France forces in The Hundred Years War, was captured and sold to The English and burned at the stake at the young age of 19. Years later, she was found innocent. She believed she was lead by visions from God and followed those visions knowing she was in harms way.

Schiller Park can be a quiet place of contemplation, it can be loud and rowdy with children playing and dogs barking, it can be entertaining when The very popular summer Shakespeare Series starts. How fitting is a free Shakespeare in the park program given the literary comparisons of Schiller to Shakespeare?

Take a picnic with you, your blanket or lounge chair to enjoy Summer Shakespeare in the park. Next Friday, March 11th will be the final post, part III of Schiller Park. See you then.

Schiller Park Part I (German Village)

Flat Stanley here in Schiller Park, previously known as Washington Park, and City Park. Schiller Park a large old park has more then grass and trees. Bordered by City Park Avenue, East Deshler, Reinhard Avenue, and Jaeger Street it's a well known spot in German Village in Columbus, Ohio.

The site of family picnics, Shakespeare in the park, large beautiful old trees to sit under and watch the kids and the dogs frolic about, or nap while others fish. This park is active, beautiful and very historical. It's been the place to be, the place to avoid, and happily again the place to be.

Historically it was a place for concerts, for festivals including German Songfests, holidays like The 4th of July. It's even been the spot for The State of Ohio Fair in 1864 and 1865, the Civil War Years. In 1871 it was the place to celebrate the end of The Franco-Prussian War with a Peace Celebration.

A busy, productive and active German-American Community thrived here. Originally the area was called Stewarts Grove. Land purchased here by the city in 1867 was named City Park. Later, on July 4th, 1891 a 25 foot statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller arrived from Munich and was dedicated, and thus the park was renamed to Schiller Park.
Schiller was a renowned poet among other things. Many feel his contributions are only surpassed by Shakespeare.

Anti German sentiment was at a fever pitch after WWI, and the parks name was changed once again to Washington Park. The sentiment against Germany, and German people was high. Lusitania was sunk with women and children on it by The Germans. Innocent women and children were killed/murdered and this point was hammered home. German language classed could no longer be taught. Once popular German singing societies suffered. Street names in the area with German names were changed. Books written in German were burned and banned. Books were burned here in Schiller Park at the base of this beautiful statue, as well on Broad Street in downtown Columbus in 1918. According to some accounts I read German Shepherds, and Dachsunds were taken from their owners and destroyed. Nothing German was to be honored or liked. However, one of this countries biggest hero's came from this very German-American Community, flying ace Eddie Richenbacher; who like many German-Americans at the time changed his name to be less German looking and sounding. Eddie Richenbacher became Eddie Rickenbacher.

It wasn't until 1930, the park's name once again returned to Schiller Park.

**Stay tuned for a follow up article on Schiller Park, as this area has a very rich history**
The next time you're in a park, look to see if there's a history, you might be fascinated at what you learn.