Idora Park

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Idora Park sign

Idora Park sign


Idora Park Ferris wheel.

Idora Park Ferris wheel.


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Teens take a ride on the Wild Cat at Idora Park.

Teens take a ride on the Wild Cat at Idora Park.


Wild Cat car in the snow.

Wild Cat car in the snow.


Crowds gather in a concession area underneath the former Idora Park’s rocket ride at an auction of park items shortly after the amusement park next to Mill Creek Park closed after 85 years.

Crowds gather in a concession area underneath the former Idora Park’s rocket ride at an auction of park items shortly after the amusement park next to Mill Creek Park closed after 85 years.


One of the most popular food stands at the park sold French fries. To this day, some Mahoning Valley restaurants try to imitate the taste of the park potatoes and call them Idora Park fries.

One of the most popular food stands at the park sold French fries. To this day, some Mahoning Valley restaurants try to imitate the taste of the park potatoes and call them Idora Park fries.


A beauty contest hosted by the Timken Bearing Co. took place at Idora Park’s swimming pool.

A beauty contest hosted by the Timken Bearing Co. took place at Idora Park’s swimming pool.


This first roller coaster at Idora Park on Youngstown’s South Side was built in 1902. This photo was taken from a slide show, “Idora Park : A Historic Look Back,” by Richard Shale, professor of English at Youngstown State University on Thursday at Park Vista Retirement Community in Youngstown. The coaster was 85 feet wide and 225 feet long.

This first roller coaster at Idora Park on Youngstown’s South Side was built in 1902. This photo was taken from a slide show, “Idora Park : A Historic Look Back,” by Richard Shale, professor of English at Youngstown State University on Thursday at Park Vista Retirement Community in Youngstown. The …


The Rapids ride was a popular attraction at Idora Park for decades. Boats would travel through a long, dark passageway and then descend a large chute into a waterfall. The Rapids later was renovated and called The Lost River. The fire that resulted in the closing of the park began near this ride in 1984.

The Rapids ride was a popular attraction at Idora Park for decades. Boats would travel through a long, dark passageway and then descend a large chute into a waterfall. The Rapids later was renovated and called The Lost River. The fire that resulted in the closing of the park began …


“Exit to the left,” said the operator of the Jack Rabbit roller coaster to the passengers taking the last ride on the coaster on the last day the amusement park was open to the public on Sept. 3, 1984. The Jack Rabbit originally was called the Dip-the-Dips when it was built in 1910. It became the Jack Rabbit in 1924.

“Exit to the left,” said the operator of the Jack Rabbit roller coaster to the passengers taking the last ride on the coaster on the last day the amusement park was open to the public on Sept. 3, 1984. The Jack Rabbit originally was called the Dip-the-Dips when it was …


This is the original look of the Idora Park Ballroom, which was constructed in 1910. It was a popular spot for dances and concerts, ranging from big bands to rock ’n’ roll groups. The ballroom was destroyed by a fire in 2001. Later that year, the park’s signature roller coasters — the Wild Cat and Jack Rabbit — were demolished.

This is the original look of the Idora Park Ballroom, which was constructed in 1910. It was a popular spot for dances and concerts, ranging from big bands to rock ’n’ roll groups. The ballroom was destroyed by a fire in 2001. Later that year, the park’s signature roller coasters …