Photos provided from Marietta College Special Collections, Harry Fischer Photos.

Regatta: a sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races. These Harry Fischer photos are from the Mid-East Regatta in 1928-1929. The regatta was a big deal for the small town of Marietta. Over 100,000 people are said to have viewed the races which had power boat and rowing entrants from 8 states.

The event started in August 1928. The 1929 Regatta program listed powerboat races, rowing races, canoe jousting, a surfing exhibition, swim competition, boat parade, and the “Pirate Ball” which closed the event. The powerboat highlight was the Charles G. Dawes Gold Cup Race. The cup was donated by Dawes, a Marietta native who was then Vice President of the United States.

The spectator photo is from East Muskingum Park. Spectators were sitting along the riverbank which appears more sloped than it is today. All are focused on the action. No one is talking; too much noise. Notice the Putnam Street Bridge. The span on the left could be rotated to allow boat passage. Just downriver from the bridge was Muskingum River lock and dam number one.

The racing boat photo shows a crowd on the opposite riverbank. The officials’ barge is in the center; the white orb above it is a reflection of the sun – or some might say a ghost of pioneers who first landed here in 1788. The jon boat at the bottom left has the best view.

Some news reporting of the Regatta was grandiose, almost humorous by today’s standards. Some examples from regional papers:

Photos provided from Marietta College Special Collections, Harry Fischer Photos.

“The west bank of Muskingum has been improved as a park and easily 150,000 people can see every foot of the course and yet enjoy perfect comfort.” Comfort? Maybe not, if you’re sitting on the ground batting away flies and mosquitoes. Excuse the reality outburst.

“The new Kiwanis Community Boathouse, a building unique in all the world, will be finished in time to used as headquarters for all speed boats.” The “unique” label may be accurate; the sides of the building contain grindstones made in the area.

“…Races will be on the beautiful Muskingum…where the stream joins the Ohio River in its rush to the sea.”

This event was an important milestone for the Marietta College rowing program. An exhibition 8-man rowing race – the first in Ohio – featured the Wyandotte Boat Club and national champion Detroit Boat Club.

Rowing would soon become a varsity sport at Marietta College; the Kiwanis Club donated the boats and boathouse to the College. Decades later, MC crews continue to win in national rowing competitions.