Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Color photo 1953. Has to be 1953 because of the Technicolor back then and check out the banner for Easter Party. It was slated for Tuesday, April 7th. Upon researching, most logical would be the year 1953. It made sense with this photo. I had to do color balance. This was taken long after it was opened because they removed the skating couples on the yellow tiles wall as seen in next photo which happened to be opening night. See next photo. Courtesy of USARSA.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. A Black and White photo of opening night according to the site. This means 1940. This was grand opening according to the source. They had pairs of mirrored skaters on the Blue titled walls. The color photo on top showed it was 13 years later.. without the skaters on the walls. Courtesy of Courtesy of USARSA.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Panarama view of the rink interior. Not known what material floor was. Shining for sure. This could mean plastic floor. But we never know. What I love are the architecture and décor features shown in here. It was Capsule shaped rink. The middle part you can see in the photo showed Chain-linked Fence style wall. It was trendy at the time.. Beautiful design! Classy, unique. Oh you name it. Courtesy of USARSA.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of Billboard - 11 September 1943, Page 44, first and second column, top story. Photoshopped and graphic design copyrighted by Rink-History. (cleaned up, re-arrange spacing /edited for website).
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of The Record - 09 August 1945.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of Billboard - 16 Feb 1946.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of The Record - 30 April 1947.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of 1952 Roller Skating Directory - Page 33.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of The Record - 16 May 1952.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of The Record - 11 June 1954.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Courtesy of The Daily Record - 04 December 1963.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ. Main logo and decal. Courtesy of Bayonne Retro website.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ.
America On Wheels 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ.
America On Wheels 1309 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ.
Boulevard Arena 1309 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, New Jersey was one of the America On Wheels chain/Franchise rink. It was operated by AOW Corporation. Known as America On Wheels. They opened in 1940. Just before Second World War. This was a surprising considering businesses open just before Second World War considering Men went overseas to fight tyranny. Sometimes it was called Boulevard Roller Rink.
The original street name was unknown because it was not named after the late President John F. Kennedy until 1960s. It is used here for the purpose for you to find it.. Although the current street name was named before the skating rink closed during the Bicentennial in 1976. Proper name currently is John F. Kennedy Boulevard. You can see that on Google Maps.
There were a few managers operated the rinks. They were:
- George Sticka in 1940.
- Andrew Morris.
- Bill Morris.
I am not sure if Andrew and Bill are related to each other since they shared the same last name.
This website page on Boulevard Arena is amazing! Tons of photographs but mostly are about skaters participated in Figure Skating, Couple Skating, and more. Not about the rink but only one good one that described the rink is shown here.. a copy and paste from USARSA website. The expert explained about the rink in colorful description. They had a renovation. Here is the expert from AOW Newsletter.
BOULEVARD BEAUTY BECKONS!
There’s a NEW Boulevard Arena in Bayonne, N.J. today, and it is rapidly gaining a fabulous reputation as ‘ The most beautiful rink in America.’ The complimentary description came as an expression of delight from the lips of one of the first visitors to the NEW Boulevard Arena. – And because it seems to be a most accurate description, it has become as popular as a vanilla ice cream cone. The transformed Boulevard Arena re-opened its doors on Thursday evening, September 14th, after having been closed since the end of June. The extensive changes that had been made in both the exterior, and especially the interior of Boulevard Arena, brought exclamations of amazement from the ‘first niters’ and have attracted a host of delighted patrons ever since to revel at ‘the most beautiful rink in America’.
Approaching the rink, the all new aluminum front is the first eye catcher, and gives Boulevard’s exterior a decisive ‘face lifting’. Immediately noticeable upon entering is the dazzling glass cloth ceiling that has been installed, replacing the drab old ceiling. The glass cloth ceiling has the combined advantage of beauty and safety, since glass cloth is absolutely fireproof.
The position of the organ has been changed. It is been taken from its former second floor location over the lobby and placed on one of the exotic twin stages at the far end of the rink. The stages are so richly decorated with striking fabrics, gleaming colored mirrors and luxurious leatherette paneling, that they exceed the beauty of the most luxurious night clubs.
Color and lighting have also been used to bring dramatic and effective beauty. The side walls of the rink are elegantly decorated, and they shown off to the best advantage by indirect cove-lighting. The description, “The most beautiful rink in America.” Is certainly an accurate one.
Boulevard Arena has now resumed its full schedule with sessions nightly excepting Monday, and its famous “Two in One Night” on Friday nights. This features roller skating from 7:30 to 10:30 and Ballroom Dancing from 10:30 to midnight to the music of Frank Bederka and the ‘Boulevardiers’.
-- Reprinted from AOW monthly news – October 20, 1950.
AOW was very involved with figure and couple skating that they compete only against their own chains and or part of USARSA, never got involved with RSROA for competitions.
There is an article that someone did NOT mention WHERE it came from. It was in an article in the USARSA website. Unfortunately, they did not mentioned what paper. But read on.
NEW PARISH AWAITS COMPLETION OF CHURCH
Roman Catholic Mass Held At Boulevard Skating Rink
Bayonne, New Jersey - Reverend Edward F. Wojtycha of the newly formed Our Lady of Mercy parish, celebrates Sunday Mass at the Boulevard Rink, Marvin Facher, General Manager of America On Wheels, has donated the use of the rink to the Jersey City Roman Catholic parish until the church is completed, which will take several years.
Mass at the rink afford facilities for over 600 people at each of the three Sunday Morning scheduled Masses. On Holy days of Obligations, Masses are held at 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning and 6:00 in the evening.
The parish is also using the facilities of the rink for many of its social activities and athletic functions, Reverend Edward F. Wojtycha, has expressed his gratitude and satisfaction for the rink facilities.
Bill Morris, rink manager, deserves a great deal of credit for his work in setting up the 600 chairs and altar as well as the Communion rail, etc. every Sunday morning. The Rink Club has changed its practice schedule from Sunday morning to Sunday evening.
--Exert from USARSA website.
The Interior.
They had organ music so the description was just more generalized. More specific is unknown. I do not have blue prints, no photographs of interiors in color and just one panorama view of the rink.
The Exterior.
As said above, the exterior was renovated.. However I do not know what materials they used or appeared like before they renovated over the summer of 1950.
The Stats:
Rink Size: (no size given but appeared large). Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1940. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still standing!
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks (front used different materials) - Walled Arena - like Building.
Roof: Flatted.
Acres: N/A.
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: Brand unknown.
Organist : Frank Bederka
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Air Hockey Tables: N/A.
Foosball Table: N/A.
Basketball Speed: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: N/A.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: None.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Theater (movie/stage): None.
Dance Center: None.
Picnic Grove: None.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1940 to 1976. (specific date is unknown since America On Wheels do not specific date for any of their rinks. Both my counterpart in the Rink History field and I do not have any facts.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at Rink-History©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
USARSA - website.
Bayonne Retro - Website full of pictures of skaters and photos of the rink!
Date of issue: 07 August 2023.
Updated: 24 August 2023.
For office use only: 12.
Worth to visit:
None. Just the building outside you stll can see.
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 17. Deut. 32:7.
The original street name was unknown because it was not named after the late President John F. Kennedy until 1960s. It is used here for the purpose for you to find it.. Although the current street name was named before the skating rink closed during the Bicentennial in 1976. Proper name currently is John F. Kennedy Boulevard. You can see that on Google Maps.
There were a few managers operated the rinks. They were:
- George Sticka in 1940.
- Andrew Morris.
- Bill Morris.
I am not sure if Andrew and Bill are related to each other since they shared the same last name.
This website page on Boulevard Arena is amazing! Tons of photographs but mostly are about skaters participated in Figure Skating, Couple Skating, and more. Not about the rink but only one good one that described the rink is shown here.. a copy and paste from USARSA website. The expert explained about the rink in colorful description. They had a renovation. Here is the expert from AOW Newsletter.
BOULEVARD BEAUTY BECKONS!
There’s a NEW Boulevard Arena in Bayonne, N.J. today, and it is rapidly gaining a fabulous reputation as ‘ The most beautiful rink in America.’ The complimentary description came as an expression of delight from the lips of one of the first visitors to the NEW Boulevard Arena. – And because it seems to be a most accurate description, it has become as popular as a vanilla ice cream cone. The transformed Boulevard Arena re-opened its doors on Thursday evening, September 14th, after having been closed since the end of June. The extensive changes that had been made in both the exterior, and especially the interior of Boulevard Arena, brought exclamations of amazement from the ‘first niters’ and have attracted a host of delighted patrons ever since to revel at ‘the most beautiful rink in America’.
Approaching the rink, the all new aluminum front is the first eye catcher, and gives Boulevard’s exterior a decisive ‘face lifting’. Immediately noticeable upon entering is the dazzling glass cloth ceiling that has been installed, replacing the drab old ceiling. The glass cloth ceiling has the combined advantage of beauty and safety, since glass cloth is absolutely fireproof.
The position of the organ has been changed. It is been taken from its former second floor location over the lobby and placed on one of the exotic twin stages at the far end of the rink. The stages are so richly decorated with striking fabrics, gleaming colored mirrors and luxurious leatherette paneling, that they exceed the beauty of the most luxurious night clubs.
Color and lighting have also been used to bring dramatic and effective beauty. The side walls of the rink are elegantly decorated, and they shown off to the best advantage by indirect cove-lighting. The description, “The most beautiful rink in America.” Is certainly an accurate one.
Boulevard Arena has now resumed its full schedule with sessions nightly excepting Monday, and its famous “Two in One Night” on Friday nights. This features roller skating from 7:30 to 10:30 and Ballroom Dancing from 10:30 to midnight to the music of Frank Bederka and the ‘Boulevardiers’.
-- Reprinted from AOW monthly news – October 20, 1950.
AOW was very involved with figure and couple skating that they compete only against their own chains and or part of USARSA, never got involved with RSROA for competitions.
There is an article that someone did NOT mention WHERE it came from. It was in an article in the USARSA website. Unfortunately, they did not mentioned what paper. But read on.
NEW PARISH AWAITS COMPLETION OF CHURCH
Roman Catholic Mass Held At Boulevard Skating Rink
Bayonne, New Jersey - Reverend Edward F. Wojtycha of the newly formed Our Lady of Mercy parish, celebrates Sunday Mass at the Boulevard Rink, Marvin Facher, General Manager of America On Wheels, has donated the use of the rink to the Jersey City Roman Catholic parish until the church is completed, which will take several years.
Mass at the rink afford facilities for over 600 people at each of the three Sunday Morning scheduled Masses. On Holy days of Obligations, Masses are held at 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning and 6:00 in the evening.
The parish is also using the facilities of the rink for many of its social activities and athletic functions, Reverend Edward F. Wojtycha, has expressed his gratitude and satisfaction for the rink facilities.
Bill Morris, rink manager, deserves a great deal of credit for his work in setting up the 600 chairs and altar as well as the Communion rail, etc. every Sunday morning. The Rink Club has changed its practice schedule from Sunday morning to Sunday evening.
--Exert from USARSA website.
The Interior.
They had organ music so the description was just more generalized. More specific is unknown. I do not have blue prints, no photographs of interiors in color and just one panorama view of the rink.
The Exterior.
As said above, the exterior was renovated.. However I do not know what materials they used or appeared like before they renovated over the summer of 1950.
The Stats:
Rink Size: (no size given but appeared large). Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1940. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still standing!
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks (front used different materials) - Walled Arena - like Building.
Roof: Flatted.
Acres: N/A.
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: Brand unknown.
Organist : Frank Bederka
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Air Hockey Tables: N/A.
Foosball Table: N/A.
Basketball Speed: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: N/A.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: None.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Theater (movie/stage): None.
Dance Center: None.
Picnic Grove: None.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1940 to 1976. (specific date is unknown since America On Wheels do not specific date for any of their rinks. Both my counterpart in the Rink History field and I do not have any facts.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at Rink-History©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
USARSA - website.
Bayonne Retro - Website full of pictures of skaters and photos of the rink!
Date of issue: 07 August 2023.
Updated: 24 August 2023.
For office use only: 12.
Worth to visit:
None. Just the building outside you stll can see.
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 17. Deut. 32:7.