125 Years Ago, 1901 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“Park Theatre opens its doors to the public. The dedication of the new temple of amusement participated in by a brilliant assemblage. Pleasing premier program. The handsome edifice is given over to mirth and music and its declared mission is to add to the sum of human joy and sunshine — The People’s Amusement Co. give the city an ideal vaudeville house.

“The Park Theatre, Youngstown’s new amusement palace, was formally dedicated last night and the event proved a brilliant one in every particular.

“The throwing open to the public of this new house marks an epoch in the amusements of this city….

“That the house is one of the prettiest and most convenient in this section of the country there can be no question; and that its beauty captivated the audience last night there is not the shadow of a doubt. From the beauties of the brilliantly lighted foyer to the last detail of decorative work within the house proper, the theatre may be described as a perfect gem. The theatre has a seating capacity of 1,638. Of these 958 are downstairs on the main floor, 520 on the balcony and 160 in the boxes. … There is not a single seat on this entire floor but commands a perfect view of the stage and this fact together with the matchless acoustic qualities of the theatre makes the rear seat ‘as good as the best….’

“The system of ventilation is one to which special study and care has been given with the result that a system as perfect as has yet been devised is now placed in this house. With the system in vogue it is possible to change the entire volume of air every 20 minutes, thus giving fresh air and heat continually doing away with that stuffy atmosphere so common to theatres. The house is also admirably arranged so that it can be emptied in a very short time, there being 22 fire exits and making it possible to clear the theatre without a rush or crush in less than two minutes….

“The exits are distributed about the front, sides and rear of the house, thus avoiding a rush to any one point. The stage is provided with four lines of hose, there are two more in the main body of the theatre and these have a direct connection with the big 12-inch main on Boardman Street and which will have sufficient pressure to throw an inch stream 150 feet. In addition to this fire protection hand grenades are distributed about the house and are easily accessible in case of necessity. There are special attendants in charge of these as well as a man detailed from the fire department every night….

“This new amusement house is in all essentials a Youngtown product. It was built by Youngstown people for Youngstown people and is something the people of the city may feel justly proud of. The project of the new theatre was suggested by W.H. Park, after whom it is named. To the infatigable zeal of Mr. Park and his hustling associate in so many other enterprises, Harry G. Hamilton, is due the credit for this house. They first believed the theatre was wanted and would be patronized and then characteristically went ahead and organized The People’s Amusement company, which built it. Next to them credit is due to William S. Lougee, the enterprising architect who designed the theatre and superintended its construction….

“There has not been anything overlooked, which would contribute to the comfort and convenience of either patrons or performers and the house may be voted a success.”

• Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.