IDORA PARK Youngstown, Ohio - see rides, roller coasters & the 1984 fire that closed the park forever!

[4drcoop]

So sad to see the whole Great Lakes industrial region abandoned to rust and rot. Four generations of my family were rooted there. My Grandparents met as High Schoolers at Idora Park around 1920. Grandpa owned and operated the Youngstown Door Check Co on Market St. One of my favorite memories was visiting him at work and going with him for ice cream right next door to his shop at Isaly Dairy. My dad sold Fords for University Motors until the late 1950's when we moved south.

[lenoirechien]

Still love "Idora Park" style French fries!!! I gotta have vinegar on my fries!!!!!

[holdemgti]

It's a shame these days that poeple from the rest of the country don't know what a vibrant and bustling city Youngstown once was, with beautiful neighborhoods, a thriving downtown, parks, and a safe, fun place like Idora Park. It was a great amusement park in the middle of the city. Unfortunately, once the sub-culture encroached on the neighborhood and then got their hands on Idora, it was all over.

[erikals2]

whats the music at the beginning with clips of the dodgems?

[candaceCA]

im mom and dad went their like every day in 84 never went back cuz of a fire :(

[sheken3054]

My favorite child hood memories are of Idora.Spring Thing,Hot day,Left End,Glass Harp,Bobby Sherman,The raspberries and hanging out at the flats.It is sooo sad to see it today.

[kkawecki89]

I never even got to go there, yet it still cry when I see a empty, overgrown lot and a lamp post from Mill Creek's parking lot.

[austinbjh]

I wish Idora Park was still around for my generation. The jack rabbit was my dads first coaster. Now Youngstown is so ran down. Especially the north side.

[plankspanker145]

I played in the The Shillings, a local band in the mid-60's. We performed in the ballroom as the opening act for The Rascals and Shades of Blue. Also the Hidelberg was renamed Kove South and we performed there with Boots Bell spinning records on our breaks. Great Time

[Frizzbang1]

In 1967, I was mugged on the Midway . . . in broad daylight . . . at Idora Park. My buddy and I were surrounded by junior and high school thugs. We were 13 and white. They were all black. They emptied our pockets at knife point. We fled the park as soon as we realized we were being let go. The Jack Rabbit attendant stopped us and within a half hour, the Park security cop had the perps in his office. A hate-filled racist diatribe rained down on the little black bastards. IP - DOA.

[xisoownyoux]

i live like, 5 blocks away from idora park in mill creek.

[MATTHEW3438]

I went to the park in 2000 and saw the 3 coasters. The Baby Wildcat was the only surviving structure at Kiddieland. 3 quarters of the huge Wildcat were still standing. The Jack Rabbit, the 2nd oldest coaster in the world standing. Were these taken in 1980?

[EclypseSportHorses]

I love that park!!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane, what a loss that park was- was my favorite! Rumor is I was concieved there! LOL ;)

[EclypseSportHorses]

I love that park!!! Rumor is I was concieved there! LOL ;) 

[EclypseSportHorses]

Thanks for posting this! I was concieved at that park! And have many wonderful memories from there:)

[myownprison1910]

Absolutely a lost treasure. A lot of great memories. How could we have let something so sad occur?

[stercraze06]

What a great video you put together. I was just telling my girlfriend that Idora Park had some of the best fries in the world. I wanted to share a bit of my past with her and this video did just that. It was so sad to see this great park destoyed...but I will never forget! Thanks for posting.....

[Powder410w]

Gre up down the street on Neosho Dr - went to the park everyday in the summer. What ever happened to my City of Youngstown, Ohio??

[Turtle3000GT]

I live in Akron and I vaguely remember going there when I was wayyy little, same with Chippewa Lake Park in Seville, such a shame, sad to see and now Geuaga Lake is gone, Cedar Point you finally won!!

[Suitedjack22]

Does anyone remember an Anthony Garcia from youngstown who went to Chaney high?

[daviep79]

So sad !

[timstime1970]

NRM company picnic with my Dad...Miss it..

[mileycyrusfan011]

the parked looked so fun. Unfortunately, I was born at the time that the park was opened, but I've heard so many stories from my parents. I visited it close to when it was demolished in 2001, but I haven't been back since. But what amazing history this is less then a mile from my own home. =)

[ratrodgarage]

Well its to bad because i would never survived today anyway. The same thing is happening to the festivals now. A certain group of people feel the need to go there and cause trouble and make their presence known. Why not just go and have fun, or stay home and cause trouble.

[datkoolbrutha]

This IS sad! Amusement parks all over the country are disappearing. Something has to be done to preserve what's left!

[pgnorgan]

The Lost River had a long metal trough that went through a wooden tunnel. This was filled with water, and boats traveled tnru it. The tunnel also was built under one of the hills of the Wildcat. A welder was making the trough water tight so they could fill it and open for the spring. His torch made a spark that started the tunnel on fire. It quickly spread, and also burned the part of the Wildcat that was over it. That was the end of Youngstow'ns Million Dollar Playground as they called it.

[scoot1105]

If you lived and grew up in the Mahoning Valley, you had to have went here at least once in your lifetime. It was close, cheap, and so much fun!!! Shame it went out the way it did, but it was fun while it lasted!!

[CoasterCrazy80]

another classic park, gone. I wish there were more classic parks like iDora park. Just classic wood coasters and vintage rides. I love parks like that. Too bad there arent alot of them anymore.

[kingart2]

You'll have to remember the frech fries the best ever by far. Couldn't wait for GM day and the wildcat was awesome. Ironically when the burned so went the park. When burned it was the 5th fastest rollercoaster in the U.S. Some of the best times of my life was in that park.

[swimmer565]

ould anyone desribe in vivid detail what idora was like im 14 and never got to see it my dad took me to the old sight where its nothing left just a wasteland id love to know what it was like

[swiggy1957]

Spent many summer days there and still never got a chance to ride all of the rides. My oldest brother worked there back in the 60's and met a lot of the celebs from around the country as well as home-grown Boots Bell. I did get the opportunity to take my Iowa born wife there for WHOT's Spring Thing back in '82.

[cherreg]

The factories in alliance , TW and alliance machine always had their shop picnics their.We would ride the coasters the entire time. Awesome memories.

[kippy1040]

I remember eating french fries for the 1st time at Idora Park. I couldn't get enough

of them. Every time i have french fries i think of "Idora Fries"

[crazycowgirl1956]

I am so sad that it burned wish it could still be going, it was so much fun. The battle of the bands,donnie osmond,and so many other stars came to the park. To bad someone could see what it could become now to bad someone would build a new one that would be great it would give alot of jobs for people but it is only a wish I enjoyed the park for years from 1956 to 1984 thanks for so many memories that I cherish today

[derek7521]

I just happened upon this video ... what a trip to see an Idora park video ! We'd go there every year !! The Jackrabbit and Wildcat were kick azz coasters ! I even remember the Hooterville highway !

Sucks its all gone now.

-D-

[tribeisone]

I remember going to polka dances here when I was very young...Sad what happened, but with Geauga Lake closing down, the fate of Idora Park would have probably been the same, but much earlier. Still, it didn't need to burn.

[uhmanduh92]

jfsz08

cuz it burned down genius !

[OnlyBellaUnderstands]

my mom lives on the road it was on. but it burned down my dad said he would take 75 cents and last all day at the fair. rides and food

[jfsz08]

I miss this park, me and my family had some freat times there. It was a great park.

[JawsJaws]

Good video. I wish there was a video of Cascade Park in New Castle, PA like this one.

[JChrisEz19]

I live in youngstown ohio and I haven't seen one hint of this place

[RayneBlakemanTV]

It burned down in 1984.. Such a shame though. My mom said it was amazing. Before she moved, she used to live in Ohio. Then she had me! So I never got to expierience it either.

[HattieLovesCattie]

Was arson the reason for the fire?

[shvybzik]

If memory serves it was caused by a welder's torch...

[J0HN91]

No, they were doing some routine work on the water ride next to the Wildcat when a spark lit the coaster on fire :/ I wonder if that never happened if it would still be open today, what with geauga lake and cedar point. look at chippewa lake. very, very sad.

[justes3]

at cedar point they have a ride named wildcat and it is yellow just like the 1 that burned down i still dont get y thy didnt just either take wild cat out when it burned or rebuild it cedar fairs or paramount should of rebuilt it it was a goood park

[billyd44444]

that brings back some very fun times.. just took my girl there to show here were the park was.. A++++++ on the video

[jerrysboys]

whoever put this together coud not have done it any better.....absolutely awesome and it touched on all the major historical things taht made Idora what it was. Fantastic!!!

[GabriellaMontez2000]

Couldn't they have built it again . Was it so hard

[fremarlucy]

Did a great job of putting this on the internet for all to remember..Loads of fun times sadly it had to end. French fries the best around jackrabbit was my favorite..

[paramoregirl97]

my dad grew up here and i went once but the fire already happened very sad these were the fun rides

[danijorari]

Awesome, many, many, memories of my mom enjoying the roller coasters, the Wildcat was her favorite, then the Rabbit.

Picnics at Mill Creek right in the Idora areas. Those were the days.

[popsnacks2]

wildcat as in the one at lakecompounce today?

[sigmoe17]

I miss the Fries

[smokeyguy]

they just had the fries in mill creek by bear den

[ellieb1961]

Great video! I never went there but I bet I would have loved it when I was a kid. Such a shame it's gone. They need to put another amusement park there.

[VvMeTaLvV]

in the middle of the fuckin ghetto? not in a million years

[ellieb1961]

Sorry, didn't know that. I have never been there, so I don't know the situation, but I understand what you are saying. Still, in it's time, it must have been a great place.

[Rexicanoo]

Too bad the monkeys have to ruin everything.

[kontnier]

Great video, brings back allot of memories. I wish that someone had more shots of the fairground/midway. Every weekend I walk by the carousel which is housed in Brooklyn where I live now. Can be found under the name of Janes Carousel. They have restored it beautifully but it is not the same as riding it at Idora..

[Tomasinad]

I loved Idora Park...I can remember going there with my friends...My sister worked the french fry stand and we would get free fries....and oh the rollercoasters were legendary...Wish the kids had someplace like that nearby today, there was nothing like it!

[painterjay13]

I can remember riding all the rides shown in the video. Spending the evenings there, eating Idora fries, riding all the rides and heading to Parkers for real frozen custard afterwards. Everything is a faint memory now. A lady from New York City purchased the carousel. She restored it and it is now in a warehouse near the Brooklyn Bridge. She plans to moe it to a park nearby. Read in the paper that she ofter lets Youngstown residents ride i in the warehouse.

[sesoup]

What great memories! I lived in New Castle, PA and went to Idora many times. My best memory is from Junior High Class Day in '66. A girl I knew casually had just broken up with her boyfriend and she rode the Jack Rabbit with me. She was scared to death and hung on for dear life! Kids today don't know how a simple thing like that can stick with you for decades! I now live near Six Flags, GA but would much rather be able to go back to Idora, or Cascade Park in New Castle. It is also long gone. Sad

[cc81588]

the strory about the fire is sort of creepy!!!!

[mjc102775]

classclown has a point, can you imagine if it was re-opened? the gang violence, rapes, muggings, robberies, etc?....no white person from poland or canfield would ever go there let alone take their children for a day of fun.........anyway it was a good time there i still have some pieces of wood from the jack rabbit and wildcatand a sign thatsays tickets.........

[Rexicanoo]

They should have all stayed back in Africa in the jungles where they belong!

[SaraLovesFmac]

Was there no concideration of rebuilding the park? The fotos made the end very sad and eventhough I've never heard of the park before, watching this video made me feel a little sad about the story of Idora park

[mileycyrusfan011]

Wow, well i am only 13 and wasn't around for this but mi parents tell me a lotta stories about this place. they said it was some good memories

[auntyty]

That brought back wonderful memories!

[gwenhedtel]

to classclown131-You are an ignorant bastard.  And people say we have come along way. Comments like yours show that there is still a long way to go. It was good looking back at the park and the memories.

[Rexicanoo]

They ruin everything! They need to be shipped back to the jungle where they belong. Don't get mad at classclown people, he/she is just stating the truth. I guess the truth hurts.

[Great2birish]

are you for real- the truth is i am ashamed of YOU

[Rexicanoo]

You must be black. Poor thing..

[Great2birish]

OMG you ARE as stupid as you sound! I am irish (da look at my name!) Idora park was a class act! Too bad you aren't!

[Rexicanoo]

Didn't even look at your name. I didn't care. I just saw your ignorant comment. Take off the rose colored glasses moron. It must be so nice in your perfect world. Gosh...

[carousel19]

Very nice work.I enjoyed watching this video.

[puhkum]

I grew up in a suburb of Youngstown.... I kept looking for me and my brother on all those rides! I don't remember a lot, but I do remember winning a twist contest (yes, I said twist... it's a dance!) when I was four. Wow was I proud! So much fun! Thanks for the memories. So sad... I too miss those lazy days of summer....

[amsdancer08]

<33333

[ytownteddy]

To me the saddest part isn't that it closed because even without the fire in '84 this park couldn't have stayed open longer in that area. The sad part is how it just sat there rotting away collapsing for 17 years, burning again in '86 and '01. I walked in there last winter and it felt strange knowing how many great moments were there and how it's nothing but an empty lot with the old stone steps going up the hill. You can still tell where things were, but it's all gone now. A lost treasure.

[WildWildfire2kk7]

peopel have internet bills and cell phone bills to pay, no money for such pleasureable things.. i guess thats why the great old parks are all gone now.. no one has any money to spend there, and teh ones that do go to teh new parks.. it is inevitable that all the old parks will soon all be gone.. it so sad to see them go, and anyone who lived in the 60s 70s 80s longs for those easy living lazy summer days back again.

[lemonite1]

@ytownteddy If the park had lasted just a few more years, it probably would have been either bought out by Six Flags or upgraded to new style theme park. The roller coaster wars was just around the corner.

[mangokitty]

Wow, I remember this park from my childhood. I had two old aunts who lived within walking distance of that park; it was always a highlight of a summer visit.

[SuperChic0022]

My step Dad says his band POOBAH played at Idora Park many times. He also says the Eagles played there too! His POOBAH CD "Rock Collection" has 2 live songs on it recorded at Idora in 1980!

[lilbit42]

I remember POOBAH. I went out with the lead singer a couple of times. It's sad that this wonderful park now only lives on in our memories. But what great memories they are!

[s8kdz26]

im from Youngstown and i really wish that i had the chance to visit that great park as many said it was...thank you very much for keeping memory and smiles alive

[Sipple06]

Any video of Idora Park brings back nothing but smiles. I spent one day every summer there when I was growing up, my dad's company picnic was held there along with many other local companies through the summer. The thought of it returning to the area was exciting for me and I hope it one day that dream comes true. Until then the memories keep it alive along with the restored carousel in New York. Thank you for the wonderful video of a wonderful time in many lives.

[oOChaosControlOo]

Awesome. I'm very young, only fourteen, so I never got to experience this park. I was in a nice little musical about it down at the playhouse when I was nine (the youngest in the play) and my mom told me all about it. Just being in that play made me wish I could've been alive back then to experience its greatness, but all I have is my imagination. You older folks are very lucky to have the memories. Pass them on to your children and grandchildren!

[jyllhyll]

Thanks so much.

Remember the main drag with all the games. The little ducks and fishes with numbers on their bottoms, the Penny arcade where you could imprint a penny or get your fortune told.Wooden floors. Beautiful place. The dumb fun house. The simple things like a cane for a prize. Parents hate kids with fancy sticks.

Yeah, I cried watching this,too. Damn. But I got to take my oldest kid there, at least.

[HadToLeaveYoOH]

I also loved the video and although it also brought tears to my eyes I am grateful for this chance to remember the days I spent at the park. I also appreciate hearing the clackety clack of those wooden roller coasters and that brought a smile to my face. I only wish my 16 year old son could've had a chance to experience Idora (aka Ride-ora)!

[reneindc]

This brought tears to my eyes! I'm from Warren, and this park was a big part of my upbringing.. as well as Geauga & Conneaut Lake & Cedar Point! My cousins and I would travel to IP just for the fries alone. Good times!

[jeffaguilar]

Wow! Watching the the last two roller coaster rides, was as close to time traveling that I have ever been. Amazing. I was on the edge of my chair absolutely knowing every turn and twist.

I rode those two roller coasters hundreds of times in the 60's and 70's The radio station WHOT and DJ Boots Bel would host an all day affair, and with the all day wristband. Thank you so much for posting this video. Those memories are still alive!

[DrBelser12]

That really looked like an awesome park.

[mhvoivod]

It really was. It was full of charm and had all the traditional elements of a great classic park.

[thirtysford]

Awesome Video, Thanks!

[J0HN91]

sooooo cool

[makeshiftperfection]

Very nice vid. The ending made me sad. =/

[CoasterCrazy80]

awesome.

[couchpotatotheatre]

You have some great videos. I really like this one.

[mesmoland]

What a great video ! Love it !