As I’ve written about my hometown over the years, there are things I’ve wondered about. After eight years of writing about Youngstown, the city still holds mysteries for me. Here are a few:
- We had a Schenley Theater and street on the West Side. I’ve never figured out if there was a Schenley after whom they were named.
- How did the crack occur in Council Rock?
- Renner Brewery was once a big deal. I’ve seen the Renner Mansion. But I wonder what Renner Beer tasted like.
- How did Dike Beede hang onto his coaching job at Youngstown through so many mediocre seasons? It can’t be because he invented the penalty flag.
- I know Butler’s bequest established the Butler and its policy of free admissions. I’d love to know how they have managed to do all that, make expansions and acquire so much great art. Wouldn’t it be great if all museums were able to do the same?
- I know Italian food from Youngstown is just the best. I cannot say why. It just is.
- Why is it called the Spring Common Bridge and when did Mr. Peanut take up residence? I don’t remember that as a kid.
- I wonder what ever happened to the little Baptist church up the street from my grandparents on Cohasset. It was a spiritually significant place for me.
- Where does the name DeYor come from? It was just Powers Auditorium when I lived in Youngstown. It looks like the combination of two names–but maybe not. [Since first posting, readers informed me it is a combination of the DeBartolo and York names, representing the major support of the center by this family.]
- We had to learn Ohio history in school. Why didn’t we learn Youngstown history?
I could come up with a longer list but I thought I’d leave room for you. What are some of the things about Youngstown you wonder about?
To read other posts in the Growing Up in Working Class Youngstown series, just click “On Youngstown.” Enjoy!
Bob on Books 
#9. DeYor is a combination of DeBartolo and York (Dr John York, married to Denise DeBartolo York). As I recall – Powers was about to fold when the DeBartolo-York family bailed it out.
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Makes sense. Thanks!
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DeYor- It is 2 names-DeBartolo/York
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#4. This is speculation but I did know Beede’s second wife, Mary Bartram, at the time of their marriage. Youngstown College was a pretty mediocre school in the 20’s and 30’s and then there was the war. Dike Beede grew up in our town, graduated from South as class president and a very good football player, lots of local friends. And yes there was the penalty flag. Bit of inertia, bit of personal popularity. He loved Youngstown.
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DeYor is a combination of DeBartolo and York-DeBartolo’s daughter’s married name. I believe she put some big bucks into the addition to Powers Auditorium.
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Sue Roberts beat me to the answer. Well done,Sue!
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Fun article. I’ve wondered about #1. And #10 is a very good question. There’s a YouTube channel called Everyday Adventures with Jim that has dealt with #2 and #7. I don’t know how authoritative his information is, but there are videos about the Spring Common and Council Rock. As for #6, yes. I’ve lived in 5 states, including two years in New Jersey and, yes.
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#10. At least for us, in the Canfield school system, we learned about the history of Canfield and Youngstown. We also learned about the Mahoning Indians in social studies.
This would have been in the late ‘70s at Canfield Middle School.
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There is Kirk Rd., Kirkmere School, Kirkmer playground— Who was Kirk?
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Really? Captain of the Enterprise!
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Great question!
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From my memory (oh boy) Renner beer was quite similar to Pittsburgh’s hometown brew, Iron City. Since the brewery was located on the Mahoning River, people had plenty of fun with that fact.
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Boy, now you got my curiosity!
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Council Rock is located in Youngstown’s Lincoln Park. According to legend, Native Americans from several tribes met at Council Rock in 1775, to celebrate a recent victory over the British in a French and Indian War battle. During the celebration, lightning struck the rock and caused it to split
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I’ve heard that legend but wonder if there is evidence in the rock for that.
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That is the story I heard from my father and I believe he heard it from his father.
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That is what i was told. After the lighting it is said that the Indian tribes never returned and abandoned lincoln park, which was a ceremonial meeting place due to Dry Run creek running through it. Lincoln Park was a beautiful park, much like Mill Creek park back in the 40’s to 60’s. Not many people go there.
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De-yor, DeBartolo and York.
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What is the address of the Renner Mansion?
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Since the home is occupied, I do not give out the address for the privacy of the residents.
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How did Scienceville get the name? I found the answer in your column from last October : )
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Why was the city and county ran better when the mob was in control?
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Your question, good as it is, also makes assumptions about what it means to “run better.”
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Re #1 ‐‐ Not sure of the who but Schenley is a name that’s all over the Pittsburgh area. That’s not so far away so the connection may be there
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I’ve wondered this as well. Haven’t found any Schenley’s in Youngstown history.
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I have heard that Coach Bedde held an insurance license and was the agent of record for the University. His yearly commission was his pay for coaching. That was the rumor. Sounds like a pretty good deal for all parties involved if true.
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I’m not sure about the Schenley or the Kirk name ; I believe Kyle park and Borts park are named after civil war dead . ( names on the monument downtown) .
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Borts was named after the Borts family who had a farm on the west side of N. Belle Vista, behind where the old Sparkle Market was.
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