For the first time in close to 40 years, shoppers flocked to the wide open dance floor of a cavernous ballroom to search for bargains.

Lakeside Ballroom on Route 54 in Barnesville is undergoing restoration and improvements. The development has enabled owners to try and rekindle the enthusiasm of the old Lakeside flea market, once held every Sunday.

Many visitors recalled the experience from years ago.

“I remember coming here and still have items I bought here. I know it was open in the 1980s,” said collector Dale Freudenberger, Tamaqua.

Another browser recalled earlier years.

“It was going on here in the 1970s,” said Gary Frantz, longtime West Penn Township antiques dealers. In fact, Frantz remembers visiting the flea market around the time he reported for duty in the military.

“So it could’ve been the 1960s.”

Kristina Schmerfeld, co-owner with husband Johnathan, said flea markets are a time-honored tradition at the century-old ballroom.

“I think there were flea markets at this site in the 1930s.”

From ice-skating in the winter to picnicking in summer, Lakeside Park was a year-round getaway to forget your troubles, starting in 1880.

Although it was later eclipsed by much larger Lakewood Park a mile or so away, Lakeside never gave up its hold as an entertainment venue for hardworking coal miners of Lansford, Tamaqua, Shenandoah, Coaldale and Mahanoy City.

Its history is remarkable. On July 25, 1891, The Lakeside Improvement Company announced plans for a large hotel and bathing houses bordering the lake. In addition cottages would dot the knoll that slopes to the water.

By 1897, boat racing was introduced and a new steamer called the “Albany.” In 1903, a merry-go-round arrived.

Progress stalled during WWI. But in 1923, a roller coaster was erected for $45,000, said to be the largest and swiftest in Pennsylvania at that time.

Cottages were constructed and the breast of the dam was raised a foot or two.

In the mid-1920s, owner Harry Hart contracted for several railroad cars of sea sand to be brought in and spread along the bathing beach.

He also purchased a large auditorium, which was dismantled and moved to the park, eventually becoming what is now Lakeside Ballroom. It was enclosed in 1928 and went on to host such big names as Sammy Kaye, Benny Goodman, the Dorseys and more.

The ballroom may have been the deal of the century, as Hart is believed to have paid $10,000 for what originally cost $500,000.

In August 1927, Hart reportedly bought several rides which had been part of the Sesquicentennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. They included a more modern merry-go-round, The Whip and The Caterpillar.

The site became so popular that locals called it simply “The Lake.”

For picnicking, Lakeside Park was served by train excursions that left Tamaqua at 10:30 a.m. for the five-mile rail trip. One-way tickets cost 10 cents for children, 20 cents for adults.

In those days before television and air conditioning, Lakeside provided area residents with something to do and a breath of breezy mountain air. But all good things must come to an end.

Some say the decline started in 1940 when Lakeside’s carousel was moved out of the park.

Another turning point was on Nov. 25, 1950, when the roller coaster was destroyed by a tropical storm. Then, a few decades later, the lake itself was drained.

But the site is making a comeback. The venue now hosts concerts, dances, and special events.

On Sunday, visitors said they’re holding out hope for the once-popular flea market to take place on a regular basis.

The owners said they have plans to do just that.