It was a dreary sort of day, the kind often seen in central Ohio in late November. But despite the wet and the cold, Thanksgiving Day in Columbus in 1921 was pleasant for many people.
A local paper noted: “Thanksgiving Day began early with a steady downpour of rain as was predicted by the weatherman Wednesday. But with the streets practically clear of people and traffic, few complaints were heard except from football fans.”
The rain notwithstanding, the games went on.
And so too did the religious services.
A century ago, Thanksgiving Day was viewed as something of a religious holiday.
Services of thanksgiving had been held at many times in many countries. The modern American version began with a proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. The holiday grew in popularity over the years, and by 1921, it was celebrated across the country.
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For many people, Thanksgiving Day began with a service. For some people, a newspaper reported: “Services in Columbus churches began, in a few instances on Wednesday night. Morning and evening programs of worship were arranged in a majority of churches for Thursday.”
The needy were helped, as well.
“For those with no home to go to and the prospect of a cheerless day, the Volunteers of America, led by Major Collins, provided amply. Thanksgiving dinner free to any in need was served in the Volunteer rooms at 127 South Front St. One thousand baskets were filled by the Volunteers last week and distributed to needy families. These contained a peck of potatoes, a half-peck of apples, canned goods, coffee, sugar and bread, with fruit and jelly added for sick or aged persons. Roast beef, brown gravy, potatoes and coffee were the staples of dinner at the rooms.”
With these supplies in hand, the resourceful still had to find their own turkey. But in 1921, turkeys were not too hard to find.
A local report recounted: “The supply of turkeys in Columbus – said to have been short – was more than sufficient to take care of all calls. Sixty cent fowl proved to be more than the average provider could see his way to buying for the family. … Chickens, ducks and geese, which sold at 30, 35 and 40 cents, received the call over turkeys.”
Other local institutions celebrated with or without the turkey.
“At Columbus Barracks (renamed Fort Hayes in 1922), one of the many places where Thanksgiving dinners were prepared, only 400 officers and men were present, as compared to 1400 a year ago. This is the smallest number for Thanksgiving dinner since before the war. The menu included turkey, cranberry sauce, oyster dressing, mince pie, chocolate cake and the other necessary attributes.”
Turkey also was served at the schools for the deaf and the blind.
Other places had a plainer day.
“No religious services were given at the state penitentiary in the morning. The men instead were entertained by a program of motion pictures. Roast pork was the central feature of the special dinner.
“At the reformatory at Marysville, it is probable that a killing will be made of the large family of Belgian hares which will be served by Mrs. Louise Mittendorf, the chief matron.”
At the institution for the feeble minded and across the street at the state hospital for the mentally ill, roast pork was served. It was noted that “at practically all of the institutions, there will be special music and literary programs.”
For people looking for something to do other than remaining at home with family and friends, a variety of offerings were available in downtown Columbus. Many of the more fashionable restaurants stayed open for the holiday as did many local theatres.
Live theater still was popular, and the play “Up in the Clouds” was offered at the Hartman Theatre on Capitol Square, and “Frank Feeny’s Review” and “The Smarter Set” were playing at the Lyceum. But it seems that motion pictures – silent ones – were keeping more and more people “spellbound in darkness.”
The person making them popular was a newcomer named Rudolph Valentino. Playing at the Majestic was “The Conquering Power,” but Valentino would appear Sunday in his new epic “The Sheik,” the film that would make him a star.
For the frugal diner, there was the Oriental Restaurant at 30 ½ N. High St. Responding to competition from nearby hotels and restaurants the Oriental had upgraded its food offerings – at least in name if not in substance.
Its “special Thanksgiving Day dinner” offered from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at $1.75 per plate.
On the menu was Rasbud oyster cocktail, heart of celery, queen olives, puree of croutons, chicken a la Reine, roast Vermont turkey, oyster dressing and cranberry sauce or fried chicken a la Maryland or Oriental lobster salad, asparagus tips in dessert, creamed mashed potatoes, ice cream, cake and coffee or tea.
Local historian and author Ed Lentz writes the As It Were column for ThisWeek Community News and The Columbus Dispatch.
