IDORA PARK BALLROOM A chronology

A brief look at the history of one of Youngstown's most notable landmarks:
June 20, 1910: Idora Park Dance Pavilion opens. The open-air facility features a roof with accented cupolas and a Moorish-style main entrance.
1931: Ballroom remodeled to accommodate the touring big bands of the 1930s and '40s.
1934: Heating plant added to make year-round dancing possible.
Sept. 20, 1939: Roller-skating becomes a fixture in the ballroom.
1930s and '40s: The biggest of the era's big bands come to town, including Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Harry James, Benny Goodman and Stan Kenton.
Early 1950s: Dancing nights reduced as the Big Band Era wanes. By 1954, dancing is only four nights a week instead of seven. Park now tries to attract teen-age and college crowds.
1955: Exterior decorations, such as the Moorish towers and cupolas, are stripped away, giving the ballroom a more modern look. Other changes include a new roof.
1956: WFMJ-TV marks the completion of a two-year, $200,000 remodeling project by airing a "Teen-Age Party" show from the ballroom.
Oct. 15, 1956: Vice President Richard M. Nixon gives a campaign speech.
Late 1950Ls: Teen record hops and sock hops are the featured weekly attraction.
Sept. 27, 1960: Sen. John F. Kennedy speaks to a crowd of some 1,500 about his presidential campaign.
1960s: Teen dances continue to enjoy widespread popularity and orchestras return for adult dancing.
Sept. 30, 1962: Former President Harry S. Truman appeared at a rally of national and state Democratic leaders at what was described in The Vindicator as a "gigantic" party rally.
1968: Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians orchestra are featured.
July 3, 1976: The Stan Kenton Orchestra performs as part of Idora Park's bicentennial activities. Other bands to appear that year include Les Brown, Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson.
April 26, 1984: Fire destroys much of the park, including the Wildcat roller coaster. However, the ballroom is untouched and booked for the summer.
September 1984: Citing financial losses and poor attendance, owners close the park for good. The park property is later bought by Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church of Youngstown, but the grounds and the ballroom fall into disrepair.
1986: Another fire devastates the section of Idora Park where the Crazy Horse Saloon, Laffin' Lena's Loonyland and Kooky Castle buildings stood.
March 5, 2001: Ballroom burns down.
Source: "Idora Park: The Last Ride of Summer" and Vindicator files