Idora Park (Youngstown, Ohio)

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Idora (amusement) Park opened in 1899. It had 3 roller coasters: The Wildcat, Jack Rabbit, and Baby Wildcat; a Grand Victorian ballroom, miniature golf, and many other rides and attractions including a minor league baseball field encapsulated by the Jack Rabbit roller coaster. Idora Park was perhaps a quintessential piece of Youngstown, Ohio's identity and a fine example of Late Victorian Americana. Unfortunately, in 1984, a fire which started in the Old Mill flume ride spread to the park offices and to the wildcat roller coaster before it was eventually extinguished. Along with the recession in the area from the local industry caving in and the blow fromt he fire Idora Park closed the next operating season for good. Most of the rides were sold at auction and the park laid dormant for over a decade. Many people expressed interest over the years in bringing Idora Park back, but lack of funding and lack of organization proved the efforts futile. Two more fires, the last in 2001 would claim the ballroom and banish all hope for the future of any restoration. Just recently what remained of the park was razed. All that remains are the footprints of what once was.