Transportation as Entertainment

Exhibits of the speed, power and agility of new forms of transportation have resulted in many public spectacles in Columbus, often generating a profit for organizers. Stunts, races and the destruction of vehicles have all proven popular themes for more than 100 years.

One early spectacle was a planned crash of two locomotives at Buckeye Park in 1896, 25 miles south of Columbus. Organized by A.L. Streeter, this event was the first of its kind – an earlier attempt had been cancelled. Two trains were placed in a collision course on the track, with two experienced engineers who sent the trains against each other, jumping out before they collided. Thomas Edison sent a crew to film the collision, and a crowd of at least 10,000 Columbus residents attended, many collecting souvenirs from the remains of the two locomotives. This event prefaced the demolition derbies, monster trucks rallies, street races and aerial stunts that followed in Columbus, from the Columbus 500 to the Rickenbacker Air Force Base Air Show.

Buckeye Park Locomotive Crash

The crash that started it all: The planned locomotive collision in Buckeye Park in 1896 was imitated across the nation.

Courtesy of Grandview Heights Public Library

Conn Baker’s Bicycle Stunts

John Carter “Conn” Baker lived in Columbus from 1908, and was a bicycle daredevil with the stage name Diavolo. He is pictured here performing his famous loop-the-loop in 1904 in his devil costume.

Car versus Plane at Driving Park

Auto racer Barney Oldfield and aviator Lincoln Beachey raced in Driving Park in 1914. Beachey, known for his aerial stunts, won.

Junkyard Derby

A 1939 Junkyard Derby was held in Columbus at a track on Joyce Avenue, just south of Hudson St.

Columbus 500

A race car competing in the Columbus 500 in 1985. Auto Racing of Columbus held a professional street-racing event in downtown Columbus from 1985-1988.

Courtesy of Grandview Heights Public Library