My love of the ocean started when I was six years old, even though I wouldn’t step foot in one until nearly a decade later. Through the years, I developed a deep sense of belonging with the ocean, and a love of all things living in it.

And even though I wanted nothing more than to see animals in the wild, open ocean, having a marine park in the middle of the Midwest was the next best thing. No matter how I feel about ocean animals in captivity as an adult, I can’t deny that childhood Chelsea was just excited to have a little bit of the ocean here in Ohio.

SeaWorld Ohio opened in the spring of 1970 and quickly became a popular family destination. After a three-decade run, the park closed in the early 2000s. It may be gone, but the memories of summer trips to Geauga Lake are still all too real for many Ohioans.

If you’re wondering what the old park looks like now, you’re not alone and you may be surprised. But before we get to today, we need to go back in time.

Abandoned For Nearly 20 Years

Former SeaWorld employee Nico Maragos had the opportunity to go inside the old SeaWorld to take photos of the park about a few years back, before demolition was fully underway. The results definitely inspired huge waves of childhood nostalgia and an uncontrollable longing for warmer weather and simpler times.

Main Entrance

Sea Lion and Seal Pool & Intensity Water Ski Spectacular

Shamu’s Happy Harbor and Dolphin Cove

Shamu Stadium

For several years after those photos were taken, the park continued to slowly fade away into nature. In February of 2021, an urban explorer on Youtube was able to document the parks condition before demolition began.

The Transition into Geauga Lake District

Years after the rides shut down and the splash zones went quiet, the Geauga Lake property is finally buzzing with life again—just in a very different way. What was once Shamu’s turf and coaster country is now becoming a mix of shopping, living, and even a little nostalgia.

In 2020, a Solon, OH-based real estate developer, Industrial Commercial Properties, bought a massive chunk of the property with the intention to transform it into a 377 mixed-use development called the Geauga Lake District.

Meijer recently broke ground on a new store, taking over the spot where visitors once walked through the main gates or lined up for X-Flight. Meanwhile, Vision Development’s new apartment community, VC Park at Geauga Lake, is already welcoming its first residents, complete with murals and street names that nod to the park’s roller-coaster heyday.

The City of Aurora is also leaning hard into the throwback vibes with plans for a new public park.

Renderings show a beach, trails, and even the old wave pool (minus the waves). Several original SeaWorld structures, like the welcome plaza and triquarium, are slated to stick around, bringing a little déjà vu to anyone who visited back in the day.

Other housing and retail projects are in the works, including an active adult community for those 55 and up. It may not be whales and water skis anymore, but seeing the site transform from an abandoned landmark into a vibrant district feels like the kind of second act Geauga Lake deserves.

More Abandoned Ohio:

• The Old Santa Maria Is Sitting In Pieces In A Field Off Of US-23
• The Abandoned Ruins At Geauga Lake
• Cooper Stadium Looks Like An Apocalyptic Wasteland

The post This Is What Happened To SeaWorld Ohio (And What’s Coming Next) appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

The whole event (and I mean it was a WHOLE event) kicked off on April 20 and ran until October 12, 1992, drawing in folks from all walks of life. With a jaw-dropping budget of $95 million, a crew of over 200 dedicated full-timers, and a whopping 5.5 million visitors, AmeriFlora was an epic celebration of all things horticultural.

The stage for AmeriFlora was none other than Franklin Park, and at its heart, the majestic Victorian conservatory. This architectural marvel served as the centerpiece of the exhibition, inviting visitors into a world of floral enchantment.

But AmeriFlora’s influence extended beyond Franklin Park. The event prompted a $12 million renovation and expansion project of the Franklin Park Conservatory, a lasting gift to the community that would continue to flourish long after the exhibition had ended.

Leading up to the grand event, Columbus buzzed with anticipation. The city rolled out a literal carpet of flowers, a massive Belgian floral carpet, on the Ohio Statehouse lawn. This vibrant tapestry was woven together with blossoms from 15 nurseries in Belgium, setting the stage for what was to come.

AmeriFlora opened its doors with a star-studded flourish. Notable figures such as Bob Hope, President George H.W. Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush, Gov. George Voinovich, and former Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka graced the opening ceremony with their presence. It was an auspicious beginning for the first international flower show held in the United States.

As a kid, I had the privilege of attending the exhibition, and the memories of that magical experience have stayed with me. The 1990s came to life with all their glory—the hairstyles, the fashion choices (fanny packs included)—it was like a time capsule in itself.

The horticultural exposition itself was a marvel. Nearly 20 nations participated, and the exhibition featured not only stunning gardens but also restaurants, pubs, international shopping, theaters, and even an antique carousel. One of the standout attractions was the Old World Rose Garden, boasting 130 varieties, including the official Barbara Bush Rose.

The AmeriFlora International Amphitheater hosted a televised special featuring Bob Hope, Dolly Parton, Michael Feinstein, Boyz II Men, and comedian Rita Rudner. Titled “Bob Hope’s America: Red, White and Beautiful – The Swimsuit Edition,” it aired on NBC on May 16, 1992, capturing the hearts of an estimated 30 million viewers.

By August 10, 1992, an impressive 1,225,000 people had visited AmeriFlora, and even First Lady Barbara Bush couldn’t resist a second visit on September 17, 1992.

To cap off this incredible journey through time, there’s one more piece of history—NavStar ’92. A permanent sculpture by Bexley artist Stephen Canneto, it was created for AmeriFlora and includes an actual time capsule set to be opened in 2092.

In essence, AmeriFlora was so much more than just an exhibition; it was a celebration. As we look back, the memories, the beauty, and the legacy of this event continue to bloom, much like the gardens it showcased. AmeriFlora ’92, you’ll always have a special place in our hearts.

Featured image: Aerial views of Franklin Park during Ameriflora ’92. Photo via CML

The post Take A Look Back At AmeriFlora, The Iconic Horticultural Event Of The 1990s appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

The festival promised to be an annual event, luring thousands to the riverbanks from Riverfront Park to Bicentennial Park. The goal? To celebrate the river, raise funds for park maintenance, and simply have a blast.

The Main Attractions

From dawn to dusk, the Scioto Superfest was packed with activities.

The Homemade Raft Race

If there was one event that captured the spirit of the Scioto Superfest, it was the homemade raft race. Imagine a parade of rafts crafted from the most unconventional materials, each competing not just for speed but for creativity.

Race day was a mix of creativity and chaos. Crowds lined the riverbanks, cheering on the raft racers as they embarked on their quarter-mile journey. Some rafts, like the Floating Six-Pack, were held together with duct tape and prayers, while others, like The Pink Flamingo, faced mechanical hiccups but kept going with style.

Beyond the Raft Race

A Splashy Start and Rapid Growth

These high-speed events attracted national attention and transformed the festival into a significant sporting event. The competition grew fierce, with boats reaching speeds over 100 mph and sometimes crashing. In 1990, the races even determined the National Powerboat Championships.

The Festival’s Heyday and Decline

By the early ‘90s, securing enough sponsorship and support became increasingly difficult and the official end of the festival came by way of announcement in 1994 that the City of Columbus declined to continue sponsoring the fest.

Columbus doesn’t do homemade raft races or downtown powerboat championships anymore, but Scioto Superfest remains a reminder that this city knows how to throw a weird, unforgettable party when it wants to.

Want more quirky Columbus? Read about the time they turned downtown into an actual race track.

The post Scioto Superfest: Columbus’ Wild River Festival You’ve Probably Never Heard Of appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Well, wonder no more. Whether you lived through it, or just have a certain affection for it, the 1980s were a unique time in life. The last decade before personal computers, mobile phones, and the internet, it was a time of wild fashion, great music (I said it, and I meant it) and absolutely insane haircuts.

This footage was shot in October 1986 on a sunny autumn day. Enjoy this blast from the past, friends.

The skyline looks different, but it’s hardly unrecognizable.

The LeVeque Tower and the Huntington Building are as prominent as ever.

Once the guys get down to campus, things start to look a little more 80s.

Take a look at N High Street facing downtown. Such boxy designs.

The man behind the camera explains that he lived in this house in the 1970s while attending OSU for only $1/day. Can you imagine rent for $30/month?

The guys were particularly impressed with this new, two-story McDonalds.

The interior is so late-80s/early-90s. I forgot how interior design back then was just, “How many fake plants can we fit in here?”

Long’s Book Store was still looking fresh.

I can’t imagine the amount of embarrassing photos that used to get developed at this Cord Camera.

The Oval was just as pretty as ever. Blue skies, green grass, and a gentle breeze.

The Newport was showing Monday Night Football.

And Kinko’s was still around, waiting to make copies of your English Lit project.

Columbus in the 80s. What a time to be alive.

You can watch the full video below.

The post This 1986 Footage from OSU’s Campus Is Absolutely Wild appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Over the decades, it has grown into one of the largest state fairs in the United States, drawing crowds from all over to experience its unique blend of entertainment, education, and community spirit. Held at the expansive Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, the fair offers a vibrant mix of attractions, including thrilling rides, diverse food vendors, live music, and the ever-popular agricultural displays.

Throughout its history, the Ohio State Fair has been a reflection of the times, evolving with changing trends and technologies while maintaining its core mission of celebrating Ohio’s rich agricultural heritage. From the early days of horse-drawn plows and prize-winning livestock to today’s high-tech exhibits and celebrity performances, the fair has remained a beloved summer destination for families and friends.

Ready to take a fun-filled stroll through the history of the Ohio State Fair? These old snapshots and postcards are like time capsules filled with the sights of fair days gone by.

The fair’s history isn’t just about fun and games.

In 1906, Augustus Roy Knabenshue took to the skies in his Toledo II airship, circling the Administration Building and mesmerizing early 20th-century fairgoers.

A charming postcard from 1911 shows patrons paying their fifty-cent admission fee, a quaint reminder of simpler times.

Another postcard from 1907 features the Cattle Pavilion, later renamed in honor of Vic Donahey. Unfortunately, this building was lost to a fire in 1972, resulting in over $4 million in damages.

The Grandstand, pictured in a 1906 postcard, and the Art Gallery from the 1908 State Fair, offer glimpses into the fair’s architectural history. These structures provided spaces for gathering and celebrating Ohio’s artistic talents.

Over the years, the fair adapted. These 32-foot-tall, 100-foot-wide letters were put up in 1966, costing a cool $40,000. They stood proudly until their demolition in 2002, but their larger-than-life presence remains unforgettable.

Next, check out the flags waving in the breeze, each one representing an Ohio county.

They proudly display the slogan, “Ohio State Fair, the heart of it all!” This catchy phrase, born in 1984 from the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, kept the fair’s spirit alive for decades.

Now, who could forget the thrills of the Giant Slide?

This towering yellow slide, standing three stories high, made its debut in 1968. The photo perfectly captures the joy and excitement as both kids and adults zipped down this iconic ride.

T-shirt vendors were always a hit, and this snapshot shows visitors browsing through a sea of tees, including gems like Andy Gibb and Grease shirts. Oh to be a fly on the wall of a booth of the fair in the 1970s.

The Sky Glider offered a bird’s-eye view of the fairgrounds, and this photo captures a unique perspective.

Spot the McDonald’s Grandstand, sponsored by the fast-food giant from 1986 to 1989, as well as the bustling activity below, with crowds weaving through food trucks and vendor booths.

A particularly vibrant aerial shot shows the Midway in 1979, with vendors offering everything from lemon shakes to steak burgers. The Grandstand and a Kentucky Fried Chicken sign add to the fair’s nostalgic atmosphere, making us wish we could step right into the scene.

One of the more unusual attractions was the horse diving show.

Imagine a horse, sometimes with a monkey on its back, diving from a 30-foot platform into an 8-foot tank of water. This act, part of Hall & Christ Showtime, sparked quite a bit of controversy and eventually led to scrutiny by the Capital Area Humane Society.

No trip down memory lane would be complete without Smokey the Bear, star of the Natural Resources exhibit in 1972. This beloved character reminded visitors of the importance of forest conservation and left a lasting impression on many young fairgoers.

The fair has been a quintessential experience in Ohio for well over a century. As you head out to the fair this year, be sure to stop by some of the exhibits and rides that have stood the test of time, like Smokey the Bear and the big yellow slide. And most importantly, have a ton of fun!

To start planning your trip to the Ohio State Fair, head over to ohiostatefair.com.

The post Nostalgia Overload: The Ohio State Fair Through the Decades (PHOTOS) appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

The Panhandles weren’t just any early football team. They were a band of boilermakers with cleats and a dream.

Born in 1901 out of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Panhandle Division (hence the name), the team started as a way for workers to blow off steam and maybe break a few bones in the process. Games were scheduled through newspaper ads and word of mouth. Practices? Usually during their lunch break.

The players ate for 15 minutes and spent the next 45 running drills behind the rail yard. The Panhandles didn’t train in gleaming stadiums. Their field was tucked behind a rail yard, echoing with hammer blows and reeking of grease.

The team had its ups and downs early on.

OK, mostly downs. They lost a lot. But in 1907, a sportswriter named Joseph Carr took the wheel. Carr, who managed the railroad’s baseball team and had a vision of pro football that involved more than beer money and broken noses, figured he could turn this scrappy outfit into something bigger.

Carr had two secret weapons: free train rides and the Nesser brothers.

Because most of the Panhandles worked for the railroad, they could travel for free.
That meant the Panhandles became one of the sport’s earliest barnstorming teams, playing on the road to avoid stadium costs at home. It also meant that wherever the rails ran, the Panhandles could follow—scrimmaging in small towns, industrial cities, and anywhere a crowd could gather.

Then there were the Nessers.

If you’ve never heard of the Nesser brothers, congratulations, you’ve been living a life untouched by early-20th-century football folklore. The Nessers were seven (!) brothers who worked as boilermakers and played like they were built out of leftover train parts. Frank Nesser, the biggest of the bunch, stood 6-foot-1 and weighed 235 pounds—a terrifying sight in 1910 when most men were built like scarecrows.

They didn’t go to college. They didn’t need to. They tackled like bulls and blocked like locomotives. They were the Panhandles’ main draw, the kind of team centerpiece you could advertise by just shouting their name. In 1921, Ted Nesser even played alongside his own son—still the only father-son duo in NFL history to share the field in the same game.

And while they never brought home a title, the Panhandles do have one claim to fame that no one can take away…

They played in what is considered the first-ever NFL game. It was October 3, 1920. The Panhandles took the field against the Dayton Triangles and lost 14–0.

After that, the team limped along. Carr eventually became president of the league—the very same league that became the NFL. The Panhandles, meanwhile, were rebranded as the Columbus Tigers in 1923. They had some flashes of competence (finishing eighth one year!) but by the late 1920s, the team faded away.

The NFL moved on. Columbus would have to wait nearly a century to see another pro football team in town, and even then, it was a spring league.

But the Panhandles? They mattered.

They were proof that football didn’t need packed stadiums and billion-dollar TV deals to be compelling. It could be dirty, sweaty, slightly disorganized, and still grip a crowd. It could be played by men who spent their days wielding sledgehammers and their Sundays cracking shoulder pads.

The post Lunch Break Legends: The Columbus Team That Helped Launch the NFL appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Since 1981, BOOM! has been one of the city’s most chaotic and beloved traditions. It’s the kind of event you swear you’re too old or too tired to attend… and then somehow find yourself at anyway, stuck in traffic on Front Street with a folding chair and a cooler full of Gatorade.

Back in the early days, it looked a little different.

In 1981, the first BOOM! felt more like a small-town Fourth of July celebration. Marching bands. Military honor guards. Families staking out spots along the Scioto.

But the chaos we all know and love came quickly. By the mid-80s, BOOM! had evolved into a full-on citywide event. You’ve got color photos of crowds packed into Bicentennial Park, kids in striped tube socks waving sparklers, and the glow of fireworks reflecting off the Scioto River. It was a little rowdy, a little sticky, and totally unforgettable.

In 1987, Jack Hanna rode a horse-drawn carriage down the parade route, waving like the Fourth of July king of Columbus. It was peak 80s: wholesome, weird, and just the right amount of surreal.

Over the years, the city changed — and so did BOOM!

The skyline got taller. The crowds got bigger. The food trucks got better (no offense to whoever was selling microwave burritos in ’92). What hasn’t changed is the spirit: the parade still kicks off from Main and 2nd, the music still blasts from every corner, and the fireworks still launch from the riverfront like clockwork at 10 p.m.

And yes, it’s still free. That part is important. BOOM! runs thanks to a mix of non-profit organizing and big-name sponsors like Encova Insurance, NBC4, G&J Pepsi, and WNCI 97.9.

If you’ve ever been, you know the drill: getting downtown before 3 PM so you can find parking within a three-mile radius, dodging people with oversized strollers, waiting in line for lemonade that costs more than you spent on gas to get there, and then — finally — craning your neck at the sky as the first BOOM! echoes off the glass of the LeVeque Tower.

And every time, it’s worth it.

You’ll sweat. You’ll complain. You’ll vow not to come next year.
And then next July? You’ll be right back downtown, cooler in hand, ready to do it all over again. For info about this year’s festivities, head over to redwhiteandboom.org.

Featured image showing Red, White, and Boom over the Scioto River in 1986.

The post Here’s What Red, White, And Boom Looked Like When It First Started Four Decades Ago appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Whether you were exploring caves, getting up close with exotic animals, or indulging your sweet tooth at a candy factory, these trips were the highlights of our school years. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the best field trips that made growing up in Columbus so unforgettable!

COSI

Visiting COSI is a cannon event for most kids living in or around Columbus. Whether you were visiting the Old COSI or the new one, you knew you were in for an incredible day. From rat basketball to conquering your fears on the suspended bicycle, COSI has earned a top field trip destination over the years.

MORE LIKE THIS: Relive Your Childhood with These Vintage Photos of COSI

Santa Maria

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Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

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Ohio History Center and Ohio Village

If you didn’t see the two-headed cow on a school field trip did you really even grow up in Ohio? There’s so much to explore at the Ohio History Center and the Ohio Village so it makes sense that it’s a top field trip spot for kids from across the state.

MORE LIKE THIS: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting The Ohio History Center

Anthony Thomas Candy Factory

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Camp Joy or Camp Willson

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Ohio Statehouse

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Olentangy Caverns

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Ameriflora

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Kings Island or Cedar Point

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A Metro Park

Field trips to Central Ohio’s Metro Parks were all about exploring the great outdoors. Hiking the trails, observing wildlife, and participating in nature programs made these trips both fun and educational. It was a chance to learn about local ecosystems and the importance of conservation while enjoying the beauty of our natural surroundings.

MORE LIKE THIS: 6 Must-Have Summer Adventures at Columbus Metro Parks

The post 11 School Field Trips You Probably Went On If You Grew Up In Columbus appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

This city has seen countless restaurants launch onto the national scene throughout the years, and although some of them are gone, they’re hardly forgotten. Whenever we talk about nostalgic, beloved spots around the city, there are a few names that always seem to pop up.

The Kahiki, known for its Polynesian-inspired decor and cocktail menu. The Florentine for their unmatched family ambiance. The list goes on and on. But one group of restaurants we don’t talk about enough are chains.

Back in the day, you could find Columbusites of all ages grabbing burgers, shakes, and other goodies from massive chains that either started or grew in popularity here in Columbus. Let’s take a look back at some of the most popular places to eat back in the day.

Burger Boy Food-A-Rama

Sisters Chicken & Biscuits

An offshoot of Wendy’s, Sisters Chicken & Biscuits opened in the late 1970s as a “high quality, upscale” chicken and biscuit joint. The restaurants have been closed for decades, but that doesn’t stop people from missing their flaky biscuits and perfectly fried chicken.

Ritzy’s

Originally founded by Graydon Webb in 1981, G.D. Ritzy’s (as it was known then) was a throwback diner serving hamburgers, shoestring fries, and creamy, delicious ice cream. Although the restaurant was dormant for 30 years, it’s back and better than ever in Clintonvile. Which means you can stop daydreaming about their food and just go grab some! You can check out our review of the recently re-opened Ritzy’s right here.

Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips

York Steakhouse

Wendy’s

It would be criminal to talk about nostalgic chain restaurants and not mention the original Wendy’s. If you ever took a school field trip to COSI before the early 200s, there’s a decent chance that ate lunch at the original Wendy’s, located at 257 E. Broad Street. It was such a unique space and I personally have some very fond memories of eating there. It always felt more special than your average fast-food restaurant and I was genuinely sad to see it go. If you’d like to take a long walk down memory lane, you can check out the history of Wendy’s and their Columbus roots on their website.

The post These Nostalgic Columbus Chain Restaurants Will Take You Back In Time appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Official estimates say 60,000 shoppers poured in by mid-afternoon, with some guesses pushing that number to 100,000 by nightfall. For a city used to big things but not this big, it was a tidal wave of retail excitement.

City Center wasn’t just any mall.

Clocking in at over 1.2 million square feet across three levels, it was Columbus’s largest, most upscale shopping mecca — a sprawling palace of over 100 stores, anchored by heavy hitters like Marshall Field’s, Jacobson’s, Brooks Brothers, and a skyway connection to the flagship Lazarus store.

The tiered seating area smack in the middle quickly became a downtown hangout spot — a place where you could catch a local high school choir perform or just ride those iconic glass elevators up and down while people-watching.

But here’s the thing: while the opening felt like the dawn of a new retail era, the City Center dream quickly hit some speed bumps.

By December of that very year, the Capitol South project, the massive downtown development behind City Center, owed the city $42.4 million — plus a pile of lawsuits from unpaid contractors. The glittering mall was already carrying some serious financial baggage.

Still, things looked bright in the early ‘90s. City Center expanded to 150 stores, many exclusive to downtown, and was the go-to spot for locals craving a slice of the big-city mall vibe without leaving Columbus. Limited Brands, a local powerhouse, made sure its flagship brands were all represented, keeping shoppers coming back.

But the retail world changes fast.

By 2002, Jacobson’s filed for bankruptcy, pulling the first anchor out from under City Center’s feet. Then in 2004, after a staggering 153 years, Lazarus shuttered its doors downtown, leaving just Kaufmann’s — which had replaced Marshall Field’s — as the mall’s lone anchor. Even Kaufmann’s eventually bowed out, closing in late 2007 as suburban malls like Easton Town Center and Polaris Fashion Place stole the spotlight (and the shoppers).

The mall lingered on, a shadow of its former self, until it finally closed in November 2007.

The city tussled with Simon Property Group over control and neglect, and after a few years of legal wrangling, demolition began in October 2009. By March 2010, the once-bustling retail hub was reduced to rubble.

But every ending needs a fresh start. Out of the ashes rose Columbus Commons, a sprawling 9-acre downtown park with gardens, a performance stage, a carousel, and even a reading room — the city’s new public living room. It opened in May 2011, offering a green, vibrant heart for downtown where once stood rows of store windows and glass elevators.

It’s a reminder that downtown Columbus is always evolving, even if the shopping malls of the past aren’t around anymore.

If you want to get a real sense of what it was like to visit City Center back in the day, I highly recommend you stick around and watch this incredible video of the mall’s opening day.

The post The Rise And Fall Of Downtown’s City Center Mall appeared first on Columbus Navigator.