Preserving Ponderosa’s past

Former country-music park seeks home for star-studded panels

By D.A. WILKINSON

wilkinson@vindy.com

SALEM

Move over, Alan Freed.

The Salem resident credited with coining the phrase “rock ’n’ roll” is losing the local historical limelight to the county and western singers who performed at Ponderosa Park.

The long-running venue of top country acts at the park at 9362 South Salem Warren Road, will close on June 15.

David Stratton, president of the Salem Historical Society, and Janice Lesher, the society’s curator, are trying to preserve panels signed by the artists who performed at the park over the last 40 years.

For years at the park, performers signed thin wood panels nailed to the back of the stage. There are other signatures on the inside of a large sliding door at the rear of the building, and more on a closet door and two doors leading from the performer’s waiting room to the backstage area.

Stratton said he is talking to craftsmen, including one who is experienced in restoration, about removing the pieces without damaging them. Stratton said he counted eight panels of thin wood measuring four feet by eight feet, which did not include the smaller panels.

He hopes to approach local foundations for money to remove and preserve the panels.

Even if money for that is found, the issue then becomes what to do with them.

The panels couldn’t be up full time at the society’s Salem museum due to a lack of space. Options of what to do with the panels permanently are still being explored.

Performers who appeared and signed the panels include Ricky Van Shelton, Crash Craddock, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Garth Brooks, and Loretta Lynn.

Bruce Howell, who manages the property, said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources wanted too many improvements on the park’s waste-water plant.

After reflecting on the cost, Howell said, “This isn’t going to work.”

He sought help in finding a new home for the panels. “It’s a part of northeast Ohio history,” he added.

Garth Brooks performed at Ponderosa and was signing autographs. He saw a man in a wheelchair outside, went out, gave him a signature and talked to him.

Signatures on the wall also include Kitty Wells, whose 1952 hit recording, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” made her one of the first female country stars. Another signer was “Whispering Bill” Anderson who has been in the business for almost 50 years.

Dolly Parton signed in large letters, “Love, Dolly Parton.”

Tammy Tucker, Lee Greenwood and Box Car Willie also signed, along with “Tomorrow’s Stars” from Springfield, Ohio.

The Kentucky Headhunters signed ,“25 August, 1991. Nashville here we come.” And they went.