Walking Tour Schedule

#1 Spring Common Bridge

Margaret Harbison & Carl the Newsie

Travel back to the summer of 1905, when passion, betrayal, and murder gripped the city in a headline-making scandal. Meet Margaret Harbison, the grieving woman at the center of the chaos, and Carl the bold newsie, who ensures the whole town knows every juicy detail.

#2 Tyler History Center

John Young & Mary Young

Step back to the city’s very origin, as John and Mary Young share stories of their journey to the wilds of the Connecticut Western Reserve. Experience the challenges and dreams behind the founding of “John Young’s Town”, now Youngstown.

#3 WesBanco Building

Maggie E. Harth Armstrong

Pause on Federal Street in the 1920s, an era of both hardship and hope for Black entrepreneurs in Youngstown. Encounter Maggie Armstrong, a visionary beauty store owner, who fought for progress and community despite adversity.

#4 Buckeye Elks Lodge

Davis - Buckeye Elks Member

Discover the legacy of the Buckeye Elks, a cornerstone of citizenship and pride for Youngstown’s Black residents. “Davis” bridges past and present, revealing how the spirit of this community organization persists in new initiatives today.

#5 Tomorrow Club FKA State Theater

Keith - Concert going Steelworker

Feel the pulse of Youngstown in 1977 as economic hardship meets rock & roll at the legendary Tomorrow Club. Through Keith’s eyes, witness how music and camaraderie offered hope amid the shutdown of the steel mills.

#6 First Educators Investment Corner

Charles Blondin

Witness the spectacle of Charles Blondin, the French daredevil who wowed Youngstown crowds with his feats of balance. Learn how his showmanship brought global wonders to a growing American town in the late 19th century.

#7 Court of Appeals

Buster the Bookie

Step into the seedy underworld of 1912 Youngstown, where backroom bets and fast-talking hustlers ruled the fight scene. Meet Buster, a smooth-talking bookie with a knack for odds—and trouble—whose run-in with the law didn’t stop him from placing one last wager.

#8 Phelps Street

Cliff the News Reporter & Anna, a friend of Shawneenee

Relive the emotional aftermath of the Titanic tragedy as Youngstown welcomes home one of its own survivors. Join the crowd at the Erie Terminal and witness a historic reunion filled with tears and gratitude.

#9 Paramount Theater

P. Ross Berry

Stand before the Paramount Theater and meet P. Ross Berry, the renowned African-American master builder who shaped the heart of Youngstown, brick by brick. Learn how his vision, craftsmanship, and leadership left a lasting legacy in the city’s most iconic landmarks and inspired generations to come.

#10 Paramount Theater

Volney Rogers

Meet Volney Rogers, a pioneering advocate for parks and public green spaces whose vision transformed Youngstown’s natural landscape. Hear how his determination and civic spirit helped preserve Mill Creek Park for generations, inspiring a legacy of environmental stewardship in the city.

#11 Voinivich Building

Reggie the Rayen Student

Experience the realities of segregation in mid-century Youngstown through Reggie’s story. Despite obstacles, he finds pride and a sense of belonging in Black-run theaters and clubs, foreshadowing the fight for civil rights.

#12 McKelvey’s Department Store

Rosemary the Shopper

Imagine the sophistication of Youngstown’s shopping heyday as Rosemary, a fashionable socialite, heads downtown for a day at the luxurious McKelvey’s Department Store. Experience the city’s glamour during its Golden Age.

#13 Warner Theatre Alley

Esther Hamilton

Meet Esther Hamilton: legendary Youngstown journalist, instantly recognizable in her tailored suit and felt hat, who chronicled the city’s daily life with wit and warmth for nearly seventy years. Her beloved “Around Town” column captured the voices of both ordinary citizens and local icons, making her a central figure in Youngstown’s history

#14 Warner Theatre

Natalie the Usherette & Sam Warner

Conclude your journey at the grand Warner Theater, a jewel of the arts dedicated to one of Youngstown’s most famous sons. Meet Natalie, the usherette, and the ghost of Sam Warner, who reveal how Hollywood dreams began right here.