Glory day memories

[Towntalk]

It is a shame because the Park was built as a legitimate house as I said in 1907 and while it was not as beautiful as the Palace or the Warner, its facilities were first class.

Much local history was made at the Park Theater as many Presidential candidates between 1907 and 1930 used its stage when in town campaigning, as well as candidates for Congress.

When compared to the Youngstown Opera House (the other legitimate theater of the time), it was huge, and like the Palace had both a balcony and a series of box seats on each side of the auditorium.

It also had an entrance on East Federal which was removed in the 1930's as well as it's main entrance on South Champion, and its box office was located inside the outer lobby.

Here are pictures of the Park that were taken in 1913.

[iwasthere]

a big asset that was lost to ytown.

[Towntalk]

The Park became a burlisque house in the 1950's after struggling to remain a movie house trying to compete with the other downtown theaters.

No, I didn't meet any of the strippers but did get to know one of the commedians who played the Park and use to come into the store when he was in town ... Jimmy Pinto.

He got his start in vaudville and use to tell us about his experiences with comedians who made good in radio and the movies. He was an old man when I knew him.

What made it so hard for the Park was the fact that it lost its first run status and a series of owners that didn't keep it up to date.

One of the last chains that owned the Park was the same chain that owned the Paramount.

When the theater was finally closed, Al Baker the manager, realizing what he had in the may of memorabilia held an auction that brought in theater buffs from all over the country. It seems that past owners dodn't get rid of such things as contracts, photos scrapbooks etc. that dated back to the theaters opening in 1907.

[iwasthere]

towntalk did not the Park Theater become a burlesque joint where Gypsy Rose Lee had her start. did you know her? due to your association with the vindicator.

[Towntalk]

Few if any here are old enough to remember the glory days of the Park Theater when it was the center for great music.

Examples and by the way these examples were presented live on the Park Theater stage complete with a full symphony orchestra.

By the way, the Park presented Grand Opera each year back then along with other stage productions featuring nationally and internationally known performers.