While local residents are just two months into legalized gaming at the new racino in Austintown, the history of gambling in the valley runs deep.

One of the areas most infamous gambling dens was the topic of a Thursday luncheon lecture at the Tyler History Center.

Youngstown State University history professor Dr. Fred Veihe recounted the valley's history of gambling road houses, and in particular one called The Jungle Inn.

It was located in Liberty township, just outside the city limits of Youngstown and the jurisdiction of city police. But it had it provided a free taxi service to downtown.

"They were private taxis going from Youngstown up to the casino and back," said Veihe.

During the day most of the patrons were women and housewives. "They could gamble, play, and have fun then get back in time for their husbands to come home," Veihe said.

Mike and John Farah operated the Jungle Inn, and professor Veihe points out that they were not Italian.

"As far as we know organized crime had little or nothing to do with it, this was one man's dream or several men's dream," according to Veihe.

The roadhouse operated until the late 1940's when the Governor of Ohio sent in a team of agents from the state liquor control board.

"They were selling this liquor without any controls what so ever and that's how he was able to shut it down" said Veihe.

Bill Lawson, the director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society says the era of roadhouses and the Jungle Inn are part of the valley's history.

"It's in the social fabric of places like Youngstown, Warren and the Mahoning valley and I think it's important that we talk about it," Lawson said.

The Jungle Inn never reopened. The building burned down in the 1970's.