Capital Roller Rink 2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA. Taken in likely 1947. Looks exactly the same ever since. May be it is landmark because pretty much similar. A few differences they did was here or there. You can see window air conditioner in the glass block window on the right (See tall tree) which was not there in original photograph or on the program booklet (see below). In fact, the lighter mortar in the bricks above the window is the same as you can see in the old photograph! Source: Dead-Rinks. Copyrighted Digitally Remastered to lighten, sharper, and clearier as possible.
Capital Roller Rink 2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA. Taken in 2014. Looks exactly the same ever since. May be it is landmark because pretty much similar. You will see the window air conditioner in the glass block window on the right (See tall tree) which was not there in original photograph of the program booklet (see below). In fact, the lighter mortar in the bricks above the window is the same as you can see in the old photograph! You can see it is pretty much the same except the name was removed and the skate was removed. Source: Google.
Capital Roller Rink 2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA. Source: Billboard - Dec 6, 1947, 2nd column, page 74.
Capital Roller Rink 2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA. Their grand opening. Source: The Evening News Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Thursday, 02 September 1948, Page 22. (Full page)
Capital Roller Rink 2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA. Source: Billboard - 16 October 1948, page 79, 3rd column.
Capital Roller Rink 2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA. Advertisement already in 1950 selling things! Already after 3 years of operations? Beautiful designed building and what? Good question. Source: Billboard - Dec 30, 1950 Page 26, first column.
Capital Roller Rink 2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA
In Harrisburg, they had a rink named Capital Roller Rink which was at 2100 Paxton Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Capital was operated by A.L. Runk, It was a 93 by 225-foot brick building with an 88 by 193-foot skating surface.
The blue booklet shown above that this blogger has and I could not find elsewhere. It has a wealth of details, including in the book were:
The rink was open for public skating from 8 to 11 p.m. every evening except for Mondays. There were skating matinees from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
The rink featured Hammond organ music.
Here's an excerpt from a letter from Mr. Runk on the first page of the booklet: "There are thousands of skating rinks in the United States, a fact that proves the skating public wants a clean, well managed Rink for their enjoyment. ... The management sincerely hopes that our many patrons will cooperate and thusly we can maintain a fine reputation that you will enjoy and your friends and children may also learn to enjoy with you. I assure you this is our policy -- to give you a clean wholesome skating rink in a refined atmosphere for your skating pleasure."
The They had regulations for the rink for skaters to follow:
GENTLEMEN: Men are permitted to wear sport shirts with or without ties. We suggest a tie be worn with dress shirt. Sweaters permitted if worn over sport or dress shirt. Dungarees or T shirts will not be allowed.
LADIES: Ladies are permitted to wear dress slacks, skating costumes finger-tip length and street clothes. Blue jeans, pedal pushers and shorts will not be allowed. Neatness of dress is appreciated and we ask that it be adhered to at all times.
Smoking was not permitted on the roller rink floor. Also, the rules state: "Positively no intoxicating liquors allowed on premises. Intoxicated persons will not be admitted. Vulgar, profane or lewd talk will not be permitted."
It apparently looks like the Hammond Organ and many roller skates related supplies, materials, and equipment were up for sale in 1950 according to Billboard. Did they fold that year? There are no information known so far with closure.
The building was built in 1940 but Capital Roller Rink did not open until 1947. What was it there before the rink? And what became of after they closed in 1950? I am aware it became a company of Course. Right now it is TE Connectivity. Used to be Tyco Electronics. Basically the same company that is currently occupying the former rink.
The Interior.
It had a 88 Feet wide x 193 Feet long roller rink floor but nothing says about material. Likely non-painted Maple wood floor in Rotunda style because of the Streamlined Modern architecture on the exterior. Likely the interior was quite Streamlined Modern or even Classic Moderne style. Taking a big risk of guessing without any photo or anybody can explain as I wrote this. Anyone can vertify this or was it different style?
If true to the Art Deco. This would have been one of the most classic Art Deco rinks that people could have saved. A few rinks had deep Art Deco interior Design as well as exterior. A couple of them even in New York City. Miami, Florida? Maybe but so far none are known to have this style. Just the hotels and apartments on Collins Ave, that is it for Miami Beach area. Californian? California style was more MCM, Googie's, and MC style that were sprang from Art Deco. Way Post-Art Deco. Not even a name though.
The size of the building in question during the rink business was 93 Feet wide by 225 Feet long. That accounts for 20,925 SF, however, they expanded to 24,055 SF. This means adding a little over 3,000 Square Feet.
The Exterior.
It was a 93 Foot by 225 Foot Brick building with Free-Span Steel Trusses that has true Art Deco that should wow skaters back the day and anyone today that drives by. Please, it is a private property, you can see the beauty of the building today that still stands with that Art Deco front. This should be the role model for large scale true Streamline Modern appearance. It should be a landmark because of the style and it is already qualified to be National Historic Landmark.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 88' x 193' Floor: Likely they had Maple wood floor. Floor Layout: Likely Rotunda (Not sure).
Building Size: 93' x 225'. 20,925 SF. Built: 1940 Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still Standing
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Bricks - Walled Arena - like Art Deco Streamline Modern Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 2.5700 AC.
Organ: Hammond Organ with 6 Hammond speakers.
Operated: (Overall)-- Friday, 03 September 1948 at 7pm to 1950?
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
The Evening News Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Thursday, 02 September 1948, Page 22.
Paper Great - a blog. Talked about the rink.
Billboard - 16 October 1948, page 79, 3rd column.
Billboard - Dec 30, 1950 Page 26, first column.
Billboard - Dec 6, 1947 2nd column page 74.
Moonshot - Retailer selling replica logo/sticker on shirts. (You can buy one!).
Xome - Property records.
Realty Trac - Property records.
Loop Net - Property records.
Worth to visit:
None.
DISCLAIMER:
Dead-Rinks and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. 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.
Date of issue: 16 April 2023.
For office use only: 6.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
Capital was operated by A.L. Runk, It was a 93 by 225-foot brick building with an 88 by 193-foot skating surface.
The blue booklet shown above that this blogger has and I could not find elsewhere. It has a wealth of details, including in the book were:
The rink was open for public skating from 8 to 11 p.m. every evening except for Mondays. There were skating matinees from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
The rink featured Hammond organ music.
Here's an excerpt from a letter from Mr. Runk on the first page of the booklet: "There are thousands of skating rinks in the United States, a fact that proves the skating public wants a clean, well managed Rink for their enjoyment. ... The management sincerely hopes that our many patrons will cooperate and thusly we can maintain a fine reputation that you will enjoy and your friends and children may also learn to enjoy with you. I assure you this is our policy -- to give you a clean wholesome skating rink in a refined atmosphere for your skating pleasure."
The They had regulations for the rink for skaters to follow:
GENTLEMEN: Men are permitted to wear sport shirts with or without ties. We suggest a tie be worn with dress shirt. Sweaters permitted if worn over sport or dress shirt. Dungarees or T shirts will not be allowed.
LADIES: Ladies are permitted to wear dress slacks, skating costumes finger-tip length and street clothes. Blue jeans, pedal pushers and shorts will not be allowed. Neatness of dress is appreciated and we ask that it be adhered to at all times.
Smoking was not permitted on the roller rink floor. Also, the rules state: "Positively no intoxicating liquors allowed on premises. Intoxicated persons will not be admitted. Vulgar, profane or lewd talk will not be permitted."
It apparently looks like the Hammond Organ and many roller skates related supplies, materials, and equipment were up for sale in 1950 according to Billboard. Did they fold that year? There are no information known so far with closure.
The building was built in 1940 but Capital Roller Rink did not open until 1947. What was it there before the rink? And what became of after they closed in 1950? I am aware it became a company of Course. Right now it is TE Connectivity. Used to be Tyco Electronics. Basically the same company that is currently occupying the former rink.
The Interior.
It had a 88 Feet wide x 193 Feet long roller rink floor but nothing says about material. Likely non-painted Maple wood floor in Rotunda style because of the Streamlined Modern architecture on the exterior. Likely the interior was quite Streamlined Modern or even Classic Moderne style. Taking a big risk of guessing without any photo or anybody can explain as I wrote this. Anyone can vertify this or was it different style?
If true to the Art Deco. This would have been one of the most classic Art Deco rinks that people could have saved. A few rinks had deep Art Deco interior Design as well as exterior. A couple of them even in New York City. Miami, Florida? Maybe but so far none are known to have this style. Just the hotels and apartments on Collins Ave, that is it for Miami Beach area. Californian? California style was more MCM, Googie's, and MC style that were sprang from Art Deco. Way Post-Art Deco. Not even a name though.
The size of the building in question during the rink business was 93 Feet wide by 225 Feet long. That accounts for 20,925 SF, however, they expanded to 24,055 SF. This means adding a little over 3,000 Square Feet.
The Exterior.
It was a 93 Foot by 225 Foot Brick building with Free-Span Steel Trusses that has true Art Deco that should wow skaters back the day and anyone today that drives by. Please, it is a private property, you can see the beauty of the building today that still stands with that Art Deco front. This should be the role model for large scale true Streamline Modern appearance. It should be a landmark because of the style and it is already qualified to be National Historic Landmark.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 88' x 193' Floor: Likely they had Maple wood floor. Floor Layout: Likely Rotunda (Not sure).
Building Size: 93' x 225'. 20,925 SF. Built: 1940 Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still Standing
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Bricks - Walled Arena - like Art Deco Streamline Modern Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 2.5700 AC.
Organ: Hammond Organ with 6 Hammond speakers.
Operated: (Overall)-- Friday, 03 September 1948 at 7pm to 1950?
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
The Evening News Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Thursday, 02 September 1948, Page 22.
Paper Great - a blog. Talked about the rink.
Billboard - 16 October 1948, page 79, 3rd column.
Billboard - Dec 30, 1950 Page 26, first column.
Billboard - Dec 6, 1947 2nd column page 74.
Moonshot - Retailer selling replica logo/sticker on shirts. (You can buy one!).
Xome - Property records.
Realty Trac - Property records.
Loop Net - Property records.
Worth to visit:
None.
DISCLAIMER:
Dead-Rinks and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. 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.
Date of issue: 16 April 2023.
For office use only: 6.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.