Fire destroys the Idora Park ballroom

Posted | Contributed by Corvette 3

Idora Park's historic ballroom was destroyed by fire this morning in Youngstown.

Read the whole story from MSNBC.

Related parks

Idora Park

this really pisses me off,that (im sure it was)kids,that started this fire.i mean GROW UP....i was really hopeing to see this park preserved,but because of a person(s)immaturity,this historic land mark is gone.

After reading this, I have no doubt that this is most likely arson. It looks like the city where this park is doesnt care. Either you put these structures on historic landmark status to protect them or just tear the whole thing down.

-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls

Youngstown is the armpit of Ohio (Lima is the other one, while Lorain is the crotch, like Ohio is standing on its head). It's the only city I've been to in Ohio that is economically depressed all over. If there's a good part to Youngstown, I haven't seen it. It's a real shame.

-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

It doesn't exsist Jeff, I got sent there for training back in 94 for a month and I couldn't stay there on weekends.. I HAD to come back.. It was honestly the worst place I ever had to stay, and I've stayed in some pretty bad places off of Livernois Ave. in Detroit.

Is that the Jack Rabbit still standing in the backround??? *** This post was edited by Red Garter Rob on 3/6/2001. ***

Thanks Jeff, Lorain is getting better. Even if this was arson, it doesn't mean that it was kids, there are some screwed up adults out there too ya know.

-------------
Is It Opening Day Yet?

the reason I say kids,is because any adult that would do something like this,must have the mentality of a kid.

actually hothitz, serious crimes such as arson are commited mostly by adults.

-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls

I think that is the Back Rabbit it the foreground because the wildcat isn't in that good of shape (which isn't saying much). I willing to bet that its next on the list. That park is a dead horse, and it just got beat again. Some idiots are laughing right now, an i'd like to see how hard they laugh if they get caught for doing such a stupid thing. I hope they put a good effort into this investigation, it is a historic landmark and should be pursued.

I wonder why Youngstown doesn't try to reform itself along the lines of what C-Town and Pittsburgh did after their steel industry faltered. All I've ever seen in that city is more and more decaying steel mills along with uncomely houses and little effort to move towards business and high tech industries. There are only a few mills "Steel" here, one in the form of LTV and even it is dying. Bernie Kosars House is not going to do it for them either.

When some cities get into the hole, they mostly give up from what I've seen anyway. I don't think that this park will ever reopen or be saved for future generations to view. The only chance to save the park for things like this is for a major amusement company to invest in the park and rebuild it's original glory. I say Six Flags bought the park and rebuilt it, that would create jobs for thousands of people in the area. But in these times, everyone seems to be looking out for themselves and not others.

If anyone gets caught from this(if it was arson) I would almost guarantee that they would get no more then a suspended sentence and probation. Why do I say this? Because the structure that burned down wasnt occupied and better yet wasnt protected by landmark status. This is why these types of structures need protection. Someone could probably go in there and burn the whole park to the ground and I would bet the authorities would put this on the low priority investigation list. Sad, but true.

-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls

Another piece of park history gone.
Sad to say it, but I agree fully Chitown. And Goober is also right. Everyone said the Ballroom would be the last to go. Now which will be next? The Wildcat? The Jackrabbit?
-------------
http://www.woodencoaster.com

Growing up near and visiting Idora Park, this saddens me tremendously. Thankfully they were able to save the Jack Rabbit. I agree with Chitown, this probably will be a low priority investigation and if they are caught, they won't get much of a punishment, enough though the building is listed in the National List of Historical Places. This kind of stupid, simpleminded acts of violence are becoming a real trend and I just can't understand what is going through someone's mind to do something like this.

-------------
Thank you for riding America's Roller Coast

This fire was pretty ironic. I was in Boardman last Saturday and something made me feel like I should go to Idora and take some pictures.

They should have saved it. With the loss of the ballroom it increases the chances of loosing the coasters.