Summertime in Niles 1928-2007
by Roselyn Simini Gadd

Second in a series of four articles by Rosalyn Simini Gadd, this appeared in theAugust 2007 Niles Historical Newsletter, The Niles Register, published six times yearly. If you would like to reieve the newsletter and help preserve and share Niles history, call:330.544.2143

Lifelong residents in Niles agree that they enjoyed the simple pleasures of summer in Niles. Ice cream sundaes, splashing in Central Park’s pool, ten-cent swimming at Waddell, grand openings, parades and festivals are a few of these fond memories.

Patty Crish Egner recalls visiting her grandmother Mary Guarnieri and Aunt Viola at the Guarnieri Confectionary Shop. Patty’s favorite summer treat was an ice cream soda in a special size for a pre-schooler’s enjoyment. Guarnieri confectionary was located in the 100 block of E. State Street, near Fran’s Hair Station but the original building has been torn down. The Guarnieri’s ran a full service soda fountain from 1950-55 and Niles residents recall visiting the shop for meals or for a quick treat of Cracker Jacks and gumballs.

After visiting Guarnieri’s, Patty and her mother, Mary Crish, liked to walk over to Central Park where Patty would sit on the edge of the wading pool in her new sun suit. In the wading pool, children under eight years of age could splash around or sit on the edge and dangle their feet in the
water. This pool was 50 feet in diameter and the depth of the water increased from 3 inches near the rim to 14 inches near the center. The distinctive feature of the park was a 2-tier fountain in the center this 50-foot wading pool. The fountain was adorned with a statue called “The Spirit of
Education” and was donated by Mrs. T.E. Thomas. Park benches, under shade trees, surrounded the pool. There was an area for horseshoes and softball. The pool was available all day until 8 P.M. and closed on Sunday.

In July 1928, The Thomas sisters: Mrs. Jacob(Mary) Waddell and Mrs. T.O. (Margaretta) Clingan , donate money to Central Park to construct the Thomas Pavilion, a red tapestry brick structure with a red tile roof. There were restrooms and a storage room in the basement and the upper level held tables for picnics. The tables could be removed and that same level used for band concerts. The Rotary, Kiwanis and Exchange Clubs each donated a bed of variegated flowers, in which the name of their organization was designed. The Daughters of Veterans furnished a flagpole and the Women’s Relief Corps provided a flag. The widow of WWI veteran, Mrs. Wm Russell, donated a silver maple in memory of her husband. High School boys in manual training class (shop) built a wren house to look like the old Central School that once stood on the property. The wren house was made of wood and painted red to look like the brick used on the school building.

Central park was located on the site of the first high school, Central School. The site is now occupied by Central Park Apartments. Central Park was a Niles landmark and was the subject of many watercolor picture postcards.

Waddell Park continues to make enjoyable summer memories. In 1928, the city acquired the land for Waddell Park when J.D. Waddell donated 75 acres of property for a city park. Waddell Park was dedicated in 1930 with picnic grounds, shelters, baseball fields and tennis courts. The municipal swimming pool was built later with money from the federal government. Swimmers at Waddell paid a ten-cent admission fee to the pool. This was during the Depression Era and many residents could not afford the admission fee, so they opted for a dip in the Mahoning River.

Summers were a time for grand openings, and the grand opening of the McKinley Heights Plaza featured a fashion show. On June 2, 1953, The McKinley Heights Merchants presented a fashion show outdoors, in front of the Kresge Company Store. Four-year-old Roselyn Simini Gadd modeled a one-piece cotton suit complete with rubber shoes and rubber bathing cap. Fifteenyear-old Judy Takacs who wore a beach ensemble of a one-piece suit with flounce skirt.

Niles residents agree that the simple summer pleasures provide the greatest memories. Food seems to be a priority on everyone’s memory list and skyscraper rainbow cones from Isaly Dairy were always popular. Visitors can still visit Niles in the summer and find parades, festivals, swimming at Waddell Pool and great food!

Photograph 1: Mary Guarnieri and Aunt Viola at the Guarnieri Confectionary Shop.
Photograph 2: Central Park Pavillion and wading pool.
Photograph 3: Four-year-old Roselyn Simini Gadd and Fifteen year-old Judy Takacs.