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!