Landmark Ballroom Destroyed In Blaze at Idora Park

Youngstown, OH -- On Monday morning a blaze destroyed the historic ballroom at Idora Park. The fire reported at 10:00 a.m. engulfed one of the last structures at the defunct amusement park and threatened the remaining roller coaster.

By the time firefighters arrived the structure was completed involved and it burned to the ground before it could be extinguished. Fire officials suspect that vandals may have been the cause.

Firefighters also had to fight to keep the blaze from spreading to the Jack Rabbit wooden roller coaster, which stands next to the ballroom.

Idora Park has been closed for years and a fire destroyed most of the park's original structures in 1984. The park has sat empty since the closure and there were no immediate plans for the ballroom or surrounding property.

Many locals had hoped that the ballroom would one day be saved and restored. The loss of this landmark is a tragedy for the local community.

On Monday some recalled stories of high school dances and top entertainers who performed at the ballroom during its hey day. In 1993 the ballroom was placed on the National List of Historic Places.