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Views and Fieldwork at Five Memorial Sites Were Conducted in Order to Reveal the Discourses Associated with Each Medium

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Views and Fieldwork at Five Memorial Sites Were Conducted in Order to Reveal the Discourses Associated with Each Medium Remembering Idora Park: Landscape, Memory, and Discourse in an Urban Amusement Park A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts Megan M. Sympson April 2016 © 2016 Megan M. Sympson. All Rights Reserved. 2 This thesis titled Remembering Idora Park: Landscape, Memory, and Discourse in an Urban Amusement Park by MEGAN M. SYMPSON has been approved for the Department of Geography and the College of Arts and Sciences by Timothy G. Anderson Associate Professor of Geography Robert Frank Dean, College of Arts and Sciences 3 ABSTRACT SYMPSON, MEGAN M., M.A., April 2016, Geography Remembering Idora Park: Landscape, Memory, and Discourse in an Urban Amusement Park Director of Thesis: Timothy G. Anderson Currently, memorialization and commemoration studies have been largely conducted within the geographical discipline. Drawing on elements of past memorialization studies, this research focuses its attention on the connection between the discourses/narratives created by memorial landscapes and individual memories in relation to Idora Park, a former trolley park in Youngstown, Ohio. Semi-structured interviews and fieldwork at five memorial sites were conducted in order to reveal the discourses associated with each medium. The study utilizes Richard Schein’s framework concerning materialized discourses within a landscape. The thematic data revealed common trends between each site and the individual memories paid tribute to more than simply Idora Park. In addition to remembering this space, these materialized discourses revealed more general ideals that continue to influence society today, on both a local and national level. 4 DEDICATION To my grandparents, Kenneth and Patricia Kubina, who began their life together at Idora Park, thank you for this work’s inspiration. 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are numerous acknowledgements that need to be made to the many people who made this thesis and my graduate work at Ohio University possible. First, I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Timothy Anderson, for his support, encouragement, and enthusiasm towards my thesis. I truly have enjoyed learning from and working with such a knowledgeable mentor. I also would like to extend my gratitude towards my committee members, Dr. Geoff Buckley and Dr. Risa Whitson, for their willingness to assist in both my research and writing processes. Their combined knowledge was invaluable to both this project and myself. Along with these three professors, I would like to thank the Department of Geography as a whole for giving me the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree in such a knowledgeable and welcoming environment. I would also like to thank the many individuals that helped in my research process. A special thank you goes to Jim and Toni Amey and Jane Waltenas for their hospitality and willingness to speak to me, as well as granting me access to two Idora Park memorial sites. I am also forever grateful to each of my interview respondents, who took time out of their busy schedules to contribute to this thesis. Personally, I am eternally grateful to my family and friends who assisted me throughout this journey at Ohio University. To all my graduate student colleagues, thank you for your encouragement, support, and friendship. I would especially like to thank Ethan Bottone for being a great friend and colleague, who was constantly present to bounce ideas off of, read sections of my writing, and motivate me throughout this journey. To my parents, Tom and Renee Sympson, thank you for your unconditional love 6 and support, as well as providing me the opportunity to pursue my educational goals. Finally, to my loving fiancé, Evan Spooner, I am forever grateful for your selfless assistance, encouragement, and motivation; your emotional support made this difficult, yet rewarding journey much easier. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract............................................................................................................................... 3 Dedication........................................................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. 5 List of Tables .................................................................................................................... 10 List of Figures................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 1: Introduction..................................................................................................... 14 Rationale ....................................................................................................................... 17 Study Area .................................................................................................................... 19 Youngstown, Ohio .................................................................................................... 19 Idora Park.................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter 2: Literature Review and Methodology .............................................................. 29 Literature Review ......................................................................................................... 29 Urban Amusement and Natural Parks Literature...................................................... 29 Landscapes and Memorialization ............................................................................. 43 Methodology................................................................................................................. 49 Research Principles................................................................................................... 49 Methodology Process................................................................................................ 51 Chapter 3: Commemorative Spaces of Idora Park............................................................ 59 Theoretical Framework: Discourses Materialized........................................................ 59 Jane’s Carousel: Site of Idora Park Carousel................................................................ 59 The Appeal of a Fantasyland .................................................................................... 62 An Emphasis on Family Values................................................................................ 65 A Celebration of the Past .......................................................................................... 69 A Continuing Ownership .......................................................................................... 71 Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor: Site of the Idora Park Entrance Sign ............................................................................................................................... 73 The Importance of Leisure and Work....................................................................... 76 A Fun Filled Atmosphere.......................................................................................... 79 A Celebration of the Past .......................................................................................... 80 8 The Tragedy of a Lost Space .................................................................................... 82 Pymatuning Deer Park: Site of the Idora Park Train.................................................... 84 The Appeal of a Fantasyland .................................................................................... 86 The Importance of Diversity..................................................................................... 88 An Emphasis on Family Values................................................................................ 92 A Celebration of the Past .......................................................................................... 95 Idora Day at Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek Park ...................................................... 97 Importance of Diversity ............................................................................................ 98 A Celebration of the Past ........................................................................................ 105 Value of Intergenerational Interactions .................................................................. 106 The Idora Park Experience ......................................................................................... 107 A Fun Filled Atmosphere........................................................................................ 110 Remembering the Past ............................................................................................ 114 Experiencing and Sharing the Past ......................................................................... 115 The Value of Consistency....................................................................................... 117 An Emphasis on Local Community........................................................................ 119 Chapter 4: Individual Memories of Idora ....................................................................... 121 Theoretical Framework: A Materialized Landscape Creates Discourses.................. 121 The Value of Familial Ties ........................................................................................
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