Lost C - Dave's Midwestern Ohio Memories

Series of Guest Blogs by an out-of-state Fish Report reader originally from this area about fond memories of growing up in Midwestern Ohio during the 50’s & 60’s

Lost C

My cousin Glo had shared the following Facebook post by Gary Jones about his memories at the Lost “C” dance hall in Frenchtown where he was a DJ. Although I don’t personally know or remember Gary, it’s very likely I had heard him while attending the dance hall, which was previously named the Crystal Ballroom, memories of which had been documented in this previous blogpost. Related photos and links were added to Gary’s post to add interest.

Facebook post: Gary Jones
The Lost C Night Club, Frenchtown, Ohio.

The Lost C was truly a one of a kind Night Club as was it's owner's Ron and Judy Voisard who gave me the opportunity to DJ and live out my dream as a large Night Club DJ.

Ron & Judy

It was actually two bars Susie's Lounge was open on Wednesdays & Fridays with a large one of a kind lighted dance floor known as the place where the girls came to dance.

THE LOST C was originally THE CRYSTAL BALL ROOM with BIG BAND SOUNDS from the likes of Glenn Miller and many many other BIG BANDS from that era for years under the ownership / management of The Baltes family.

When Ron And Judy purchased it the transformation begin. As It evolved into one of the largest and best ROCK N ROLL/ COUNTRY BARS in the USA no kidding! It was right up there with Gilley's in Texas and yes we were one of the very first places to have a mechanical bull.

Folks actually said it had a better atmosphere. We had hundreds of kick ass local, regional and National recording artists from across the country such ROBIN TROWER, HEAD EAST, FOGHAT, B.T.O, THE GUESS WHO, HELIX, NAZARETH, MEATLOAF, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, HENRY LEE SUMMER, CHARLIE DANIELS, McGUFFEY LANE, BOX CAR WILLIE, WAYLON JENNINGS and hundreds of other rock and country stars every weekend.

We even had Caesar The Wrestling Bear. He would wrestle men and women and if someone could pin him for 3 seconds they could win a $1000.00. Needless to say many a man fell short. I won't tell you what he did to the girls. We had Caesar several times over the years and he always packed the house.

We also had the world famous male dancers The Chippendales, Hell at one point we even had a 9 hole Putt Putt Golf Course, Big Time Wrestling and many other novelty acts. The lost C most definitely was the place to go within a 100 mile radius. People would come by the car loads from all over Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.It attracted a faithful loyal following of real party people that helped create that one of a kind atmosphere along with its owners. Once people came they got hooked. At one point I actually became the manager and ran the entire operation until someone decided to torch it and that was the beginning of the end for the Lost C.

After 3 arson fires there is now a brand new house sitting in it's place. I wonder if the people that live there can still hear the music? Man if only that place could talk what some stories it could tell. Many a baby was conceived in that parking lot and many a girl lost her virginity and many a couple met their wife or husband there. Just Saying...

A very Special thank you to Denise Quinter. Had it not been for Denise being good friends with Ron Voisard I would probably never have gotten the opportunity to DJ at Susie's Lounge. I will forever be indebted to Denise for helping me get my foot in the door. It was without a doubt a life changing move that has lasted for 43 years and I'm still going...

Bob and Ann Stover from Ansonia for talking Ron Voisard into keeping me as a DJ. 

One shout out to .... all the bartenders for killing it at the bar and Mr Chris Lovett for DJing and getting everyone in the place to walk like me when WALK THIS WAY WAS PLAYED...GREAT MEMORIES...I WILL NEVER FORGET. 

 DJ Gary Jones

Lost “C: owner Ron Voisard also was the owner of the bar and restaurant named Apt “C” in Russia. Apparently a patron rode a horse into the bar one evening! Ron Voisard’s bachelor party was held at the place and my wife recalls (before my time) that her and a friend were asked by Ron to be cocktail waitresses at the event, but their mother's quickly put the kibosh to that idea! My brother-in-law was in Ron’s wedding and has absolutely no recollection of the party - must have been a helluva time! Maybe Ron lined up one of the Lost “C” acts to perform?

The bar is now named Cruisers, named by my brother after purchasing the bar from Ron. He’s since sold to the current owners who retained the name.

No doubt there is an interesting story or two behind the “C” connotation in the names of both establishments. If I ever run in to Ron around Russia, maybe he’ll divulge his secret.

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