Delano Roller Rink
John Coolen and John Haffner built a roller-skating in Delano in 1884. It was a large building of amphitheater form, at a cost of $2,500. It had a 4,000 square foot slating floor made of hard maple. The building was described as the “finest building of the kind outside our large cities,” and was adaptable for theatrical amusements, dancing parties, etc. It was located on Railroad Avenue, approximately where the lumber yard was, the Lundsten Lumber office building now the home of Love INC.
This photo of the Eagle Printing Office before the first additions was built in 1896 . You can see the top of the roller skating rink in the background on the right.
from The Delano Eagle, December 1884)
“The event of the season at the skating rink is promised for Christmas eve, when a real, live Santa Claus will descend a real chimney, in the presence of all, and load his gifts on two immense trees placed in the centre of the arena. Every child attending will receive a gift, and for them the admission is free. For the older persons the small entrance fee of 25 cts. is charged.”
(from The Delano Eagle, January 1, 1885)
“The principal place of amusement in the village is the roller rink, a large building of amphitheatre form, devoted to the popular amusement. It was built the past summer by Messrs. Coolen and Haffener at a cost of $2,5000. It has a skating floor area of 4,000 square feet, the floor being of hard maple, and is, without doubt, the finest building of the kind outside our large cities. The rink is admirable adapted for theatrical amusements, dancing parties, &etc., and its doors are never closed.
(Ad in the Delano Eagle , 1885)
(from the Delano Eagle, October 22, 1896
“Mr. Gutzwiller has bought the lot adjoining the new printing office on the east from Mr. John Coolen, and the latter is tearing that portion of the old skating rink down that is on the lot.”
When was the rink taken down? This article from the Delano Eagle, July 1, 1897, seems to indicate it was still standing, but soon to be torn down by the new lumber yard dealers.