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Idora Park was an amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio that was founded in 1899. The park grew over the years and became nationally known.BallroomIn the 1920's through the 1940's, many world famous big bands, such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, played in the ballroom, and later, many famous rock bands, like the Eagles and Blue Oyster Cult Played there. The ballroom, with some water damage, still remains today.Roller CoastersIdora Park was home to three coasters. The oldest, the Jackrabbit was built in 1910, and is still standing today. This coaster is a great example of old wooden coasters. In the parks last year of operation, the cars were run backwards and the ride was called the Back Wabbit. The second coaster, named the Wildcat, was built in 1929, and partially remains today. It was one of the rides burnt in the fire that forced the park to close. At the time of the fire, it was ranked in the top 10 roller coasters in the world. It is still remembered by many because of this. The third coaster was the Baby Wildcat. It was a smaller version of the wildcat designed for children. This ride was torn down in 1999.The MidwayThe park's midway was once home to food stands, game stands, and the many other concessions that are seen in other amusement parks around the world. Many were destroyed in the fire in 1984, and most of the remaining ones have been torn down. Only two remain today.RidesBesides the three coasters, the park had many other rides and attractions. One of the most famous was the Old Mill, later called The Lost River, boat ride. This was the classic boat ride through dark tunnels with a drop at the end. The park also had a fun house, a haunted castle, a ferris wheel, a tilt-a-whirl, a rocket ship ride, and many others.KiddielandThe Kiddieland area was originally the swimming pool. When the park was built, it included a giant swimming pool and a large bath house. A large hole was drilled into the pool to connect to an underground salt-water spring, creating the only salt-water pool in the country. The pool was filled in during the 1950's because of the growing need for space. The bath house was used for storage and places to get out of the sun and the area that used to be the pool was filled with rides for little kids.The parks gates have been closed since 1984. CLICK HERE FOR A PICTURE OF A PARK MAP Sign My Guestbook 
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