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For
those who were around in the late 50s and 60s, The Great Western Walk-O-Wonders.
We received these from Diane Westlake Poston '58. We don't know who originally took the pictures, but they will bring back some memories for those who saw it up-close-and-in-person. A sky-view picture of the Great Western parking lot showing the Walk-o-Wonders in the center. Per information found on the Internet when the project was opened: ". . . Proudly presents “The Walk of Wonders” Don M. Casto and Don M. Casto, Jr., Developers, who pioneered the development of shopping centers in America, and Mr. Joe Skilken, Associate, one of the nation’s leading General Contractors, are responsible for the beautiful replicas of the “Wonders of the Modern World”, which are reproduced here at Great Western Shoppers Mart. Don M. Casto has had the opportunity to visit the Seven Wonders during his worldwide travels and as early as 1953, conceived the idea to bring this magnificent cultural display of the “Wonders of the Modern World” to people everywhere and to serve as an educational exhibit for all school children." "Exhibit built in the late 1950s Size of exhibit - 700’ x 60’ Construction cost - $165,000-$250,000" |
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Taj Mahal,
Agra, India (information from the Internet) Don M. Casto preferred to build the” Walk-O-Wonders” in Columbus, Ohio. When the land for the Great Western Shoppers Mart was acquired, the Castos and Mr. Skilken designed the Shopping Center so the “Walk-O-Wonders” would form a central motif of the huge center. The “Walk-O-Wonders” connects the north and south wing of the Center and is 700 feet long and 60 feet wide. Mr. Joe Skilken was in direct charge of construction and engineering for the “Walk-O-Wonders”. The project had to be built without blueprints, since there were no plans in existence for the development of this character. The thousands of features going into this project as is was being built, were determined only after long hours of study and research by the entire staff. Mr. Ivan E. Pusecker, noted artist and designer, who is known nationally, was placed in charge of construction. He is the originator of the famous “Smiling Christ” painting." |
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Leaning
Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
(information from the Internet) "Mr. Pusecker made several trips to the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and Carlsbad Caverns. He also did a tremendous amount of research for the type and color of the various stone and material used in the construction of each and every Wonder. Mr. Pusecker commissioned Mr. Louis Mori, sculptor and mold maker, who was born in Barga, Italy, and who has a renowned reputation in sculpturing and mold making, to assist him in the completion of the “Walk-O-Wonders”. Landscaping for the beautiful gardens was designed by Charles M. Frank, Landscape Architect. The winning combination of Don M. Casto, Sr., Don M. Casto, Jr., Joe Skilken, Ivan Pusecker, his assistant, Louis Mori, Charles M. Frank, and the many craftsmen and tradesmen finally produced the Wonders you are about to behold. THE WALK-O-WONDERS" |
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Grand Canyon, Arizona
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Niagara
Falls, New York
(information from the Internet) (one of the Niagara Falls pictures was included in the summer Alumni Occident) "Landscape architect was Charles M. Frank. Thousands of children visited the exhibit on school field trips. Also, popular stop for tour bus groups. Exhibit deteriorated by late 1960’s." "Pranksters would regularly put soap powder in Niagara Falls display. In 1985, a portion of the parking lot collapsed into the basin of the Niagara Falls exhibit. Scale models of tiny railings and houses were found by maintenance worker." |
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Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
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Trevi
Fountain, Rome, Italy (“Three Coins in the Fountain”) Also included in the display but not pictured - Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad, New Mexico, and The Parthenon, Acropolis, Greece |
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