Idora Park Entrance And Much More

 

As Huey Lewis once sang, I'm going back in time. To a place I remember very well and fondly. Idora Amusement Park. Located off Glenwood at 900 Billingsgate Avenue. The photo above is all that is left. 

There used to be an Idora Park sign right in the center of the street offering us visitors who would be appearing on the weekend and any other special offers and deals. 

If you decide to venture down to see what is left, let me tell you now. There is absolutely nothing left at Idora Park. I mean nothing. Not a single building. Not a single sign. Not a single ride or attraction. Absolutely nothing. Just a big old landscape filled with tall weeds. Walking paths are gone. However, you can still walk and navigate the park. You can find an entrance into the park. Trust me. 

By the way here is the sign last standing from years ago I photographed. 

Hey, it appears that on Wednesday LOTGK was the honored guest appearing. By the way, we had a blast on that Wednesday)

At the Canfield Fair last year, the Idora Park Hook And Ladder No 1 firetruck was showcased. They would not allow me to drive it. But I asked so nicely. 

This is what Idora Park looks like today. I will tell you though, it is much more overgrown than what you see in the picture above. 

One more photo of Idora Park. This was the main entrance to the park. There used to be a little shed by the yellow entry bars and you would pay 50 cents to a dollar to enter the Idora Park parking grounds. 

Before I go, my favorite Idora ride was of course the Wildcat. Back in the day, it was baddest, fastest, wildest ride in the land. Well, at least in Youngstown it was. 

I must have gone there hundreds of times in my life. As soon as Summer vacation started, we rode our bicycles the several miles to the park. We parked the bikes at the provided bicycle racks. We would spend the entire day and part of the evening riding ride after ride. 

Ohhh, the memories. I loved Idora Park. I was always hoping that some business would purchase the park and land and restore Idora Park from the ground up. If that happened, (Happens) it would be a tremendous endeavor for the entire region. To have Idora Park restored to its original glory. 

And, one more thing. Idora Park french fries were the best damn french fries in the land. Bar none.

I'll leave you with.... I'm still hoping. Still hoping.

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Idora Park - 25 Years Ago Today

Twenty Five years ago today, Idora Park, the Youngstown iconic amusement park burned to the ground ending it's glorious history. Park employee's working on The Lost River sparked a fire from welding equipment that quickly engulfed several major attractions and rides including the famed roller coaster, The Wild Cat and a good portion of the midway burned until the fire was brought under control.

Today I think of those greasy Idora french fries, from the french fry shack, served up in the white cone shaped paper container, grease forming on the bottom, shaking some salt from the dented beat up salt shakers on the counter, and eating them as fast as you can because the Wild Cat line is moving.

Rest In Peace Idora park, April 26th, 1984

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Idora Park Lost River

The Lost River - Idora Park - Youngstown

The Lost River was a water ride at the now defunct Idora Park. The Lost River ride was a combination of a tunnel of love roller coaster ride. Riders would step into wooden boats and begin a dark water journey slowly weaving through a tunnel. On the way, scary monsters, flashing lights, and loud sounds would scare the riders.

A few minutes into the journey, the boat would latch onto a chain drive and it would pull the boat up a long dark hill. A moment later the boat would free fall down the hill splashing the riders. You would actually catch a moment of "Air Time" in the boat as it plummeted down. The boat slowed up and drifted back to dock where the riders got out and went on to the next ride.

I can still hear the drums beating and the water rushing down the rapids of the Lost River. Of course the drums were canned music, piped in over a loudspeaker system. The drums sounded a lot like the drums in the movie, Jumanji, starring Robin Williams.

At night time, the rapids would be lit with multicolors, each step in the rapids a different color. And that my friends was the Lost River, one of the many fine rides at Idora Park.

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