The Bradley Bathing Pavilion
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. This was the original building called Bradley Bathing Pavilion where bathers can change, go bathroom, get nice cold one before heading to the beach or after being at the beach. A good crowd in this early photo taken between 1870s and 1900. Interesting to note that they had accessible for PWD because of the ramp if you zoom in the photo. Yes, there are stairs but ramps! Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
The New Casino (First version)
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. This postcard photographer roughly took the photograph at the same spot as where Bradley Pavilion used to be. It was replacement for more strength, improvement of appearance, and better facilities. This is when they also added the ice rink. The style is based very loosely on Greco-Romanesque style. Still sporting a lot of windows but it was all Stick-Built. No steel. All wood. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The Great Casino Fire of 1928 which occurred on 12 January 1928 as the photo was dated. It was a total loss because it was entirely wood. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
The New Casino (2nd version)
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. They rebuilt in a year. Fast! Of course. Back then many wanted to work! A lot of Italian Americans, African Americans, and Southerns came up for jobs. And because of the fire, they realized they remembered the Three Little Pigs story.. No, nothing in article said that but likely they realized that it was necessary to built fireproof after the infamous Sweat Shop Fire of 1911 in New York. Bricks are slower degradation than wood. This building was about five story high but had just multi story.. 2 at the most. It was a beautiful complex. Originally it was ice rink there to replace the loss of one in the 1928 fire. Roller skating finally made it there in 1941. But short lived due to the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Aftermaths of the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane that occurred on 14 September 1944. You can see debris washed up. That was the boardwalk. The East wing is not shown. It is off to the left of the photo. Notice the word ROLLER SKATING was posted on the sign. Many former AOW rinks were granular, fancy, large, beautiful complex. Not like any rinks of today. Huge differences. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The interior. Seating was modern movie theater style for circus, skating shows, skating sessions, relaxation from trade shows, and for dancing. Dang, I wish I was there back then to dance with a nice Jersey Female or skate with after sitting up there to oberserve which I like.. Was that a little stalky for skaters or dancers to watch before going down to meet them? Who knew. Parents of course would sit up there watching their little ones while chatting up and smoking legally. This was taken and printed during its hey days. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The interior. The photo on top in this newspaper clipping showed it was restored in 1954 as they were getting ready to reopen first time since 1944 damages. The bottom photo above was to show how bad shape the interior for ten years. it was storage. No events, no skating, nothing for those 10 years because of lease termination, lawsuits, etc. It was a delay by the lawsuit which hurt the care of the building. I did not like what they had on the wall on each side of the stage shell. Looked grisly. Awful look. Glad they removed it. Was it part of AOW skating? If it was, that was the worst look I ever seen. Looks like something out of a horror science fiction movie scene. The renovation truly cleaned up the look and very sharp. From zero to 100 points. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 24 November 1954.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The interior. Same spot many years later. This appeared to be in 2000s. It was already abandoned. The city do nothing to take care of the landmark. This is why I believe in Privatization. It works. Seats are gone, stage was gone. roof was gone (see sunshine on ground). Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The interior. Final scene. Finally nature was taking over.. It was going to do the clean up for us. Amazing how nature can take over. Why you think archeologists and commercial archeologists know that nature takes over fast. Proof, you need to check out about the history of 1980 Mt. St. Helens rupture in May 1980 that nature came back like this in photo IN TEN YEARS. Yes, already have trees growing around the infamous volcano in the Northwest US. Ask a fire control management and they will tell you. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The interior. Final scene. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The exterior. Already falling apart. They boarded up and look at the number of people. A lot less than the hey days back then. I have collections of postcards I seen online showed crowds in 1800s and first half century of 20th Century. This was taken in 2003. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. The end. They torn down in 2006 as this photo was taken in 2009. They cleaned up after getting rid of the main complex exposing the white walls and shapes of the old East Wing of the Casino. The West wing still stands today as pedestrians enjoying their walks. Again, too few. It is not the same anymore for tourism there as it was once before between 1871 to 1980s. Courtesy of side-o-lamb.com
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - January 1905.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of The Daily Record - 24 January 1941.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of The Daily Record - 14 February 1941.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Finally getting a roller rink! They had ice rink though. Courtesy of The Daily Standard - 19 February 1941.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Spring Lake Gazette - 20 February 1941.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Besides the war just began for the United States entering Second World War, nothing stopped anything on the home front. Courtesy of The Daily Record - 23 December 1941.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Billboard - 11 September 1943, p. 44, 1st and 2nd column, first article. Photoshopped Copyrighted by Rink-History for fitting, clean up, and shorten.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 16 October 1945.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 19 January 1946, Page 1. cover story.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 19 January 1946, Page 2. cover story.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 21 July 1948.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 02 June 1954.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 03 June 1954.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 04 November 1954.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 16 November 1954.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 24 November 1954.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 09 April 1955.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 09 April 1955.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of The Daily Record - 11 January 1966.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of The Daily Register - 05 June 1967.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 05 July 1967.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of The Daily Register - 16 January 1968.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 20 February 1971.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 16 February 1974.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ. Courtesy of Asbury Park Press - 29 March 1994, Page B7.
Casino Arena Asbury Park, NJ
Casino Ice Palace Asbury Park, NJ
Casino Roller Palace Asbury Park, NJ
Casino Ice Palace Asbury Park, NJ
Casino Roller Palace Asbury Park, NJ
Casino Arena and later, as Casino Palace were on the beach at Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was built in 1905. This was originally an ice rink along with shops, restaurants, in this massive wood built building. It was part of a park under this category Boardwalk Amusement Park. Very common in Long Island, New Jersey, and some other coastal towns around the United States to be a Boardwalk Amusement Park. Coney Island, Casino, Luna Park, Ocean City Roller Rink, and many more were boardwalk. It differ than Trolley Parks which is usually either by lake or edge of town or by river or even by ocean with direct lines that ends at the park or as a turnaround end point for trolley rails (Suburban Park). Illumination Parks are like Luna Parks whereas a lot of lights decorated. Similar to what you see today at Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Amusement Parks are like.. small simple parks with rides and it can be anywhere. Theme Parks are themed amusement parks (Think Disney, Enchanted Forest, Gaslight Village, Universal).
Anyway, this park is part of Boardwalk Amusement Park category.
Howard Franklin was the manager of the Casino Arena (new Casino).
It was two story building with the ice rink. Likely the rink was upstairs. But I am not sure. Post cards showed it appeared to be on second floor because of retail stores were on first floor. It was designed originally for different activities, not just ice rink. The new building was larger and more fire resistant because the original building was wood.
It was designed as a convention hall. The name Casino today people think of a place where gambling is but the term Casino actually means a place where there is a "public room for music or dancing". Coined in 1744, from Italian word, casino, literally "a little house," diminutive of casa "house," from Latin casa "hut, cottage, cabin," which is of uncertain origin.
The card game (also spelled as cassino in Italian) from 1792.
Originally on that site was the Bradley Bathing Pavilion! That was the real original facility for events. Not much information regarding to the Bradley Bathing Pavilion. The Bradley Bathing Pavilion was filled with locker rooms, bathrooms, restaurant(s), maybe some refreshment stands, and observation area. It appeared to be one story.
The reason for the naming as Bradley Bathing Pavilion was the Asbury Park founder, A New York City-based Industrialist James A. Bradley who founded the city and resort in 1871. James was A devout convert to Methodism, Bradley was inspired to build a seaside resort community that adhered to the strict beliefs of the Ocean Grove religious camp meeting, located just south of what would become Asbury Park. it was a city wide park. A Christian community retreat. It was his ministry.
Eventually, the park itself had a resort including the hotel and the Bradley Bathing Pavilion and other venues centered where the Boardwalk Amusement Park (as category) was located.
The bathing building was solidify as a bathhouse as part of his ministry/retreat.
The second generation was the first Casino building which was slightly bigger by adding another story. And appeared more creative in design than Bradley Pavilion was.
They evidently torn down the Bradley Pavilion and in 1903-04, rebuilt with the original wood-stick built artistic granular Casino building on a platform above the sandy beach at Asbury Park. It was situated the Boardwalk Amusement Park. The original Casino was destroyed in a fire in January of 1928. That was where the original ICE rink was housed in there.
Then in 1928 after the fire, they hired an architect firm, Warren & Wetmore, a New York City based firm to design a more solid building built with Cinderblocks and Red Bricks with Forest Green colored roof. It was also very glassy. I consider actually this was the THIRD building on exact site because you have to count Bradley Pavilion as the actual first that was build on that site.
It was also taller.
The Casino was built quickly. However, millions of US Dollars went over budget. The city faced with a huge debt amid the country facing the Depression. To counter falling property taxes and fewer visitors, the City introduced several mini golf courses in the green spaces between Ocean Avenue and the boardwalk. Mini golf was a hole-in-one that brought families back to the oceanfront and the tradition continues today with Asbury Eighteen in the green space at 3rd Ave and the Boardwalk.
In 1905, the original Casino featured an ice rink which Warren & Wetmore included in their 1930 design for the complex with similiar design, but boldly constructing an entire eastern wing on a pier jutting out over the beach reaching the ocean at high tide.
NOTE! SENSITITVE MATERIAL IN THIS PARAGRAPH! PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
The Casino and Asbury Park in general was facing racial issues. Discrimination and Segregation were noted even up to today. More so in 19th and 20th Century. Because many of the Southerners relocated to the North and worked in construction and employment in the park, Casino, etc. But were discriminated not to swim in White-Only area. James Bradley who founded the Park did not want to discriminate but was pressured by the Whites to discriminate. He tried to accommodate of all races because of his Faith. Love thy Neighbor! Love thy Enemy. He was stuck in between. It died down around the Depression when people discovered other beaches more accessible.
As for roller skating--
The original Casino was not built with roller rink but ice rink. So, let's move on to the newest building.
The operator for Casino Arena was Perth Amboy Arena Company. It became AOW Corporation, known as America on Wheels. It was leased by American on Wheels from February 1941 to September 1944 when the Hurricane of 1944 destroyed the building. Likely because of single plane of glass windows and massive glass walls that easily break. Disney World have developed better and thicker glass with steel pipes for their Contemporary Resort. But we are talking about the Casino back then that they did not think of thickness matters.
Then it was not a roller rink nor ice rink for that matter for ten years after that hurricane damage until the new owners, Casino Enterprises, Inc. with the manager, Peter Carver took over and operated as ICE rink for a year from 1954 to 1955 when the admission declined quickly and skaters from the area prefer roller skating as they recalled from 1940s and because New Jersey is in Snow Belt.. they want warmth. That part I strongly believe in my humble opinion.
The everlasting battle between those rinks and toward the end, a skateboard park inside was also featured. Whew,
But by 2006, it was so badly damaged and the age and the roof problems, they had the eastern wing of the building demolished. The very side that overhang the beach. What remains today is the glassy West wing building still standing today without windows. They apparently did not take good care and did not quickly have a new roof repair immediately to preserve the landmark. It should have been declared landmark. But with hurricanes there, and the erosion the beach plus mortor erode due to the salt water, it can cause cracks and damages.
Timeline (by year unless date is provided):
c. 1871 - Bradley Bathing Pavilion was built and opened as bathhouse.
1903 - Bradley Bathing Pavilion demolished to make way for the newer, bigger 2 story original Casino.
1904 - Original Casino opened for business.
1905 - Ice Skating began at the Casino.
January 1928 - Fire destroyed Casino completely.
1929 - rebuilt the Casino after the fire in 1928.
1929 to 1941 - Likely ice rink was used.
Thursday, 20 February 1941 - AOW opens.
14 September 1944 - The 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane landfall in Long Island, just north of New Jersey. Damaged the Casino Arena.
September / Fall 1944 - City terminated the lease with AOW.
1945 - Lawsuit over loss/repair from hurricane
19 January 1946 - AOW loses lawsuit.
1948 - Settlement out of court.
1954 - 10 years after it was not opened, Casino re-opened as an Ice Rink. As Casino Ice Palace
Sunday, 01 May 1955 - Converted to roller skating due to a big drop of attendance. (Ice Rinks cost more than Roller Rinks, my opinion) As Casino Skating Palace.
1955 - Once again, Ice Skating. As Casino Ice Palace again.
10 January 1966 - Casino fire (2nd fire on 3rd building, 3rd fire for the Casino)- Lease termination.
1967 - Leasing bids were still open.
1974 - Building has re-opened. Started with a circus, used for shows and other activities. Which rink?
1974 to 1980s - Roller Rink was used periodically then an attempt with Skate Park in 1980s.
1980's - Both storms and Improperly installed roof caused damages to the rink. That forced the rink to close.
2006 - Eastern wing of the building was demolished. Western wing intact.
One spark of hope was the skateboard park that opened in the Carousel Building with an amazing skate bowl. Unfortunately, the skateboard park was short-lived.
The Interior.
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
The interior was pretty much open space except for necessary privacy for changing clothes, shower, and lockers. Pretty much more like an observation deck style building that now observation towers today have such as CN Tower, Seattle Space Needle, among others. It may had restaurants like a country club would have at any golf courses you may see. Like a Sunroom.
I am sure also they had refreshment vendors in the building consider summertime hot at the beach.
One thing about this building, there was no roller or ice rink. Not at this building. See the next one.
Yes, it was raised on stilts to view better.
Original 1905 to January 1928 -
This version was unique. It had two storys / stories which gave more room and a bridge over walkway which was excellent for walkers to walk by the building as they wanted to walk along the crowded beach there.
The skating rink was located on Eastern side because of the walking trail through under the second floor part of the building. It was set so that skaters can enjoy seeing the sea as they skate. Were they thinking ahead of the PWC we have now? The PWC stands for Personal Water Crafts. Maybe that is what were on the minds of skaters as they can view out the sea. But this was ice rink at the time. I do not know how they kept the ice chilled with many windows because of hot summer days sunshine through the window boiling the ice into melts.
Yes, it was raised on stilts to view better and to level with the ground. It is about 15 feet above sea level.
1929 to recent -
This version was unique. it had a theater with big flat flooring where the Ice and Roller Rink was.. It was designed as a show. Kind of like you recalled Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice, and Roller Vanities and this also act as a dance floor if there is a band or orchestra performed on the stage which is next to the massive floor. The other parts of the interior was all seating. It was perfectly designed for shows like circus, ice or roller demo shows, and dances. I am sure those famous traveling skating shows did stopped there.
The skating rink was originally on the East wing that is on the beach side as the literature showed.
The other part of the building was perhaps a massive floor for trade shows, conventions, conferences, or a special event. This reminded me of the COBO Center in Detroit that one part is the trade show convention part and the other is a stadium style for presentations. Having been there in Cobo for NAIAS (North American International Automobile Show) and Design Forum since I am a Freelance Designer.
Yes, it was raised on stilts to view better.
The Exterior.
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
It was very simple glassy building with just one story for more views to see the ocean and beach as well as the park itself. Looks very much of a Minimalist at the earliest form. It was way advanced in design in regard to Minimalist at the time.
Original 1905 to January 1928 -
This building looks a little similar to the Bradley Bathing Pavilion. It was more granular in design, The style is closely resembled to Art Nouveau with Greco-Romanesque style. More solid walls than Bradley's yet they had more of the same.. A lot of window. This is why the style jumped from one building to another in memory of previous style. This time, it was two - story building.
1929 to recent -
C A S I N O etched in the bronze plaques above the missing doors. The building has 2 parts: the East and West wing. it appeared to be bigger by square footage and height. As for height yes, it is taller than the first two generations, the Bradley and the original Casino. Having said, the building was built overhang the beach and high tide with Red Bricks which are heavier than Stick-Built. It was practically on Stilts! The rest were on solid ground. That may have contributed to weight control and balance to maintain its structure with the part that is overhanged. This was a masterpiece for that firm as the Hoffman's / Falling Water House is for Frank L. Wright as Stahl House (also known as Case Study House #22) is to architect Pierre Koenig in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles, California.
The other half of the building on solid ground is pretty much more glass than the part on the beach. Those design in 1938-39 predates a lot of convention centers globally with glass design built after 1950s. It has the charm of the World's Fair-isque architecture.
Besides the Red Bricks, it sported a matching Forest Green Roof. Does that look familiar to you? Yes, Lincoln Logs you grew up with.
Today only the West Wing still stands. They closed off the East Wing due to detoration so it was necessary to demolished.
The Stats:
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
Original Rink Size: Not rink.. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Original 1905 -
Original Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Ice Floor Layout: Standard Ice
Original until 1944 -
(from 1929 to 1941) Original Rink Size: None. Floor: Marble Terrazzo. Floor Layout: Marble Tiles. (Seen those in your malls? Same ones.
(1941 to 1944) Original Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted Northern Hardwood Maple. Floor Layout: N/A. Note- Floor ruined by 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane.
1954 to 1955 -
Rink Size: 75' x 175'. Floor: Concrete base, Ice surface (layers unknown). Floor Layout: Ice, standard.
April 1955 to Nov 1955 -
Rink Size: 75' x 175'. Floor: All purpose "plastic" floor. Floor Layout: N/A.
The next two sections, because of the battles of the Ice Rink and Roller, each floor may have been differ. And what one? So, leave as it is as N/A. If you knew when, you would know what floor they were.
Nov 1954 to 1966 -
Rink Size: 75' x 175'. Floor: Concrete base, Ice surface (layers unknown). Floor Layout: Ice, standard.
Post 1966 to 1980s? -
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
As Skate Park, 1980s?-
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: As Skate park, unknown platform. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building -
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
Building Size: N/A Built: 1871. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: 1903 Demolished.
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Trusses Wood and Glass - Walled Beach arena - like Building.
Roof: Flatted
Original 1905 to January 1928 -
Building Size: N/A Built: 1905. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Fire January 1929.
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Trusses Wood and Glass - Walled Beach Arena - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
1929 to 2006 / present -
Building Size: N/A Built: 1929. Renovations: Too many times.
Demolished: 2006 Half demolished (East wing), Still standing (West wing).. barely.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks and Bricks - Walled Arena - like Building.
Roof: Unique. (West wing is Gabled.)
Acres: N/A.
Architect (Bradley Pavilion): N/A.
Architect (Original 1905 Casino): N/A.
Architect (1929 replacement): Warren & Wetmore, a New York architect firm.
Contractor (1871): N/A.
Contractor (1905): N/A.
Contractor (1929 replacement): N/A.
Interior Designer (1871): N/A.
Interior Designer (1905): N/A.
Interior Designer (1929 replacement): N/A.
Organ: Hammond Organ (in 1939 building).
-Organist (under Casino Enterprises, Inc): Mrs. Mae Geller
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: (Part of Boardwalk Amusement Park)
- Ferris Wheel
- Carousel (number of horses, unknown)
- Controlled boat rides.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: Yes. 1929 on., Asbury Eighteen at 3rd Avenue and Boardwalk.
Arcade: (Number of games unknown)
Skee-Ball: Possible but unknown.
Fascination: Possible but unknown.
Restaurant: Several (as part of Boardwalk Amusement Park)
Cocktail lounge: Possible (as part of Boardwalk Amusement Park)
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: Asbury Park Hotel (Room numbers unknown)
Swimming Pool: None. (Beach)
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: Short lived.
Theater (movie/stage): As part of the East Wing. Seating numbers are appx. 1500.
Dance Center: None.
Picnic Grove: None.
Beach: Swimming. Actually 2 parts. Left side and right side of the Casino.
Operated: (Overall, all Ice, Roller, and skateboard park)-- 1905 to 1980s
Original Casino (Ice): 1905 to January 1929
Casino Arena (AOW): 1940 to September 1944 (Hurricane of 1944)
Casino Ice Palace: 14 November 1954 to April 1955.
Casino Skating Palace: Sunday, 01 May 1955 to 1980s (many changes due to battle of what rink to use due to different reasons).
Casino Skate Park: Brief in 1980s.
Reason for Closure:
Casino Arena: AOW terminated lease contract due to hurricane destroyed the interior of facility.
Casino Palace: Tough to answer this.. Read above. And sources. First, ice rink closed in 1955 due to low attendance. Then roller rink but twitched back to ice, back and forth.. till final was roller rink.
Casino Skate Park: Attempted to fruition failed to maintain operations. Final skating of a kind at this location.
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:
Tons of photos and postcards! click the links on that as well and you will see a lot more. Truly best collection I ever seen!
History of the Casino and photos - excellent read and in-depth. An excellent dissertation.
Boardwalk - brief history.
Asbury Park Museum - Racial history. NOTE! Proceed with caution. Sensitive material to read.
Wikipedia - The 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane. Up to 300 deaths at sea.
Date of issue: 04 August 2023.
Updated: 07 August 2023.
For office use only: 37.
Worth to visit:
Yes, you can! part of the building still stands today but a shell of it remains. Go visit! A good must stop to see this one. Please read the Disclaimer below first before you can head out and do photography. I will also only accept your photos if you submit them. Thank you.
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Anyway, this park is part of Boardwalk Amusement Park category.
Howard Franklin was the manager of the Casino Arena (new Casino).
It was two story building with the ice rink. Likely the rink was upstairs. But I am not sure. Post cards showed it appeared to be on second floor because of retail stores were on first floor. It was designed originally for different activities, not just ice rink. The new building was larger and more fire resistant because the original building was wood.
It was designed as a convention hall. The name Casino today people think of a place where gambling is but the term Casino actually means a place where there is a "public room for music or dancing". Coined in 1744, from Italian word, casino, literally "a little house," diminutive of casa "house," from Latin casa "hut, cottage, cabin," which is of uncertain origin.
The card game (also spelled as cassino in Italian) from 1792.
Originally on that site was the Bradley Bathing Pavilion! That was the real original facility for events. Not much information regarding to the Bradley Bathing Pavilion. The Bradley Bathing Pavilion was filled with locker rooms, bathrooms, restaurant(s), maybe some refreshment stands, and observation area. It appeared to be one story.
The reason for the naming as Bradley Bathing Pavilion was the Asbury Park founder, A New York City-based Industrialist James A. Bradley who founded the city and resort in 1871. James was A devout convert to Methodism, Bradley was inspired to build a seaside resort community that adhered to the strict beliefs of the Ocean Grove religious camp meeting, located just south of what would become Asbury Park. it was a city wide park. A Christian community retreat. It was his ministry.
Eventually, the park itself had a resort including the hotel and the Bradley Bathing Pavilion and other venues centered where the Boardwalk Amusement Park (as category) was located.
The bathing building was solidify as a bathhouse as part of his ministry/retreat.
The second generation was the first Casino building which was slightly bigger by adding another story. And appeared more creative in design than Bradley Pavilion was.
They evidently torn down the Bradley Pavilion and in 1903-04, rebuilt with the original wood-stick built artistic granular Casino building on a platform above the sandy beach at Asbury Park. It was situated the Boardwalk Amusement Park. The original Casino was destroyed in a fire in January of 1928. That was where the original ICE rink was housed in there.
Then in 1928 after the fire, they hired an architect firm, Warren & Wetmore, a New York City based firm to design a more solid building built with Cinderblocks and Red Bricks with Forest Green colored roof. It was also very glassy. I consider actually this was the THIRD building on exact site because you have to count Bradley Pavilion as the actual first that was build on that site.
It was also taller.
The Casino was built quickly. However, millions of US Dollars went over budget. The city faced with a huge debt amid the country facing the Depression. To counter falling property taxes and fewer visitors, the City introduced several mini golf courses in the green spaces between Ocean Avenue and the boardwalk. Mini golf was a hole-in-one that brought families back to the oceanfront and the tradition continues today with Asbury Eighteen in the green space at 3rd Ave and the Boardwalk.
In 1905, the original Casino featured an ice rink which Warren & Wetmore included in their 1930 design for the complex with similiar design, but boldly constructing an entire eastern wing on a pier jutting out over the beach reaching the ocean at high tide.
NOTE! SENSITITVE MATERIAL IN THIS PARAGRAPH! PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
The Casino and Asbury Park in general was facing racial issues. Discrimination and Segregation were noted even up to today. More so in 19th and 20th Century. Because many of the Southerners relocated to the North and worked in construction and employment in the park, Casino, etc. But were discriminated not to swim in White-Only area. James Bradley who founded the Park did not want to discriminate but was pressured by the Whites to discriminate. He tried to accommodate of all races because of his Faith. Love thy Neighbor! Love thy Enemy. He was stuck in between. It died down around the Depression when people discovered other beaches more accessible.
As for roller skating--
The original Casino was not built with roller rink but ice rink. So, let's move on to the newest building.
The operator for Casino Arena was Perth Amboy Arena Company. It became AOW Corporation, known as America on Wheels. It was leased by American on Wheels from February 1941 to September 1944 when the Hurricane of 1944 destroyed the building. Likely because of single plane of glass windows and massive glass walls that easily break. Disney World have developed better and thicker glass with steel pipes for their Contemporary Resort. But we are talking about the Casino back then that they did not think of thickness matters.
Then it was not a roller rink nor ice rink for that matter for ten years after that hurricane damage until the new owners, Casino Enterprises, Inc. with the manager, Peter Carver took over and operated as ICE rink for a year from 1954 to 1955 when the admission declined quickly and skaters from the area prefer roller skating as they recalled from 1940s and because New Jersey is in Snow Belt.. they want warmth. That part I strongly believe in my humble opinion.
The everlasting battle between those rinks and toward the end, a skateboard park inside was also featured. Whew,
But by 2006, it was so badly damaged and the age and the roof problems, they had the eastern wing of the building demolished. The very side that overhang the beach. What remains today is the glassy West wing building still standing today without windows. They apparently did not take good care and did not quickly have a new roof repair immediately to preserve the landmark. It should have been declared landmark. But with hurricanes there, and the erosion the beach plus mortor erode due to the salt water, it can cause cracks and damages.
Timeline (by year unless date is provided):
c. 1871 - Bradley Bathing Pavilion was built and opened as bathhouse.
1903 - Bradley Bathing Pavilion demolished to make way for the newer, bigger 2 story original Casino.
1904 - Original Casino opened for business.
1905 - Ice Skating began at the Casino.
January 1928 - Fire destroyed Casino completely.
1929 - rebuilt the Casino after the fire in 1928.
1929 to 1941 - Likely ice rink was used.
Thursday, 20 February 1941 - AOW opens.
14 September 1944 - The 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane landfall in Long Island, just north of New Jersey. Damaged the Casino Arena.
September / Fall 1944 - City terminated the lease with AOW.
1945 - Lawsuit over loss/repair from hurricane
19 January 1946 - AOW loses lawsuit.
1948 - Settlement out of court.
1954 - 10 years after it was not opened, Casino re-opened as an Ice Rink. As Casino Ice Palace
Sunday, 01 May 1955 - Converted to roller skating due to a big drop of attendance. (Ice Rinks cost more than Roller Rinks, my opinion) As Casino Skating Palace.
1955 - Once again, Ice Skating. As Casino Ice Palace again.
10 January 1966 - Casino fire (2nd fire on 3rd building, 3rd fire for the Casino)- Lease termination.
1967 - Leasing bids were still open.
1974 - Building has re-opened. Started with a circus, used for shows and other activities. Which rink?
1974 to 1980s - Roller Rink was used periodically then an attempt with Skate Park in 1980s.
1980's - Both storms and Improperly installed roof caused damages to the rink. That forced the rink to close.
2006 - Eastern wing of the building was demolished. Western wing intact.
One spark of hope was the skateboard park that opened in the Carousel Building with an amazing skate bowl. Unfortunately, the skateboard park was short-lived.
The Interior.
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
The interior was pretty much open space except for necessary privacy for changing clothes, shower, and lockers. Pretty much more like an observation deck style building that now observation towers today have such as CN Tower, Seattle Space Needle, among others. It may had restaurants like a country club would have at any golf courses you may see. Like a Sunroom.
I am sure also they had refreshment vendors in the building consider summertime hot at the beach.
One thing about this building, there was no roller or ice rink. Not at this building. See the next one.
Yes, it was raised on stilts to view better.
Original 1905 to January 1928 -
This version was unique. It had two storys / stories which gave more room and a bridge over walkway which was excellent for walkers to walk by the building as they wanted to walk along the crowded beach there.
The skating rink was located on Eastern side because of the walking trail through under the second floor part of the building. It was set so that skaters can enjoy seeing the sea as they skate. Were they thinking ahead of the PWC we have now? The PWC stands for Personal Water Crafts. Maybe that is what were on the minds of skaters as they can view out the sea. But this was ice rink at the time. I do not know how they kept the ice chilled with many windows because of hot summer days sunshine through the window boiling the ice into melts.
Yes, it was raised on stilts to view better and to level with the ground. It is about 15 feet above sea level.
1929 to recent -
This version was unique. it had a theater with big flat flooring where the Ice and Roller Rink was.. It was designed as a show. Kind of like you recalled Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice, and Roller Vanities and this also act as a dance floor if there is a band or orchestra performed on the stage which is next to the massive floor. The other parts of the interior was all seating. It was perfectly designed for shows like circus, ice or roller demo shows, and dances. I am sure those famous traveling skating shows did stopped there.
The skating rink was originally on the East wing that is on the beach side as the literature showed.
The other part of the building was perhaps a massive floor for trade shows, conventions, conferences, or a special event. This reminded me of the COBO Center in Detroit that one part is the trade show convention part and the other is a stadium style for presentations. Having been there in Cobo for NAIAS (North American International Automobile Show) and Design Forum since I am a Freelance Designer.
Yes, it was raised on stilts to view better.
The Exterior.
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
It was very simple glassy building with just one story for more views to see the ocean and beach as well as the park itself. Looks very much of a Minimalist at the earliest form. It was way advanced in design in regard to Minimalist at the time.
Original 1905 to January 1928 -
This building looks a little similar to the Bradley Bathing Pavilion. It was more granular in design, The style is closely resembled to Art Nouveau with Greco-Romanesque style. More solid walls than Bradley's yet they had more of the same.. A lot of window. This is why the style jumped from one building to another in memory of previous style. This time, it was two - story building.
1929 to recent -
C A S I N O etched in the bronze plaques above the missing doors. The building has 2 parts: the East and West wing. it appeared to be bigger by square footage and height. As for height yes, it is taller than the first two generations, the Bradley and the original Casino. Having said, the building was built overhang the beach and high tide with Red Bricks which are heavier than Stick-Built. It was practically on Stilts! The rest were on solid ground. That may have contributed to weight control and balance to maintain its structure with the part that is overhanged. This was a masterpiece for that firm as the Hoffman's / Falling Water House is for Frank L. Wright as Stahl House (also known as Case Study House #22) is to architect Pierre Koenig in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles, California.
The other half of the building on solid ground is pretty much more glass than the part on the beach. Those design in 1938-39 predates a lot of convention centers globally with glass design built after 1950s. It has the charm of the World's Fair-isque architecture.
Besides the Red Bricks, it sported a matching Forest Green Roof. Does that look familiar to you? Yes, Lincoln Logs you grew up with.
Today only the West Wing still stands. They closed off the East Wing due to detoration so it was necessary to demolished.
The Stats:
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
Original Rink Size: Not rink.. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Original 1905 -
Original Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Ice Floor Layout: Standard Ice
Original until 1944 -
(from 1929 to 1941) Original Rink Size: None. Floor: Marble Terrazzo. Floor Layout: Marble Tiles. (Seen those in your malls? Same ones.
(1941 to 1944) Original Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted Northern Hardwood Maple. Floor Layout: N/A. Note- Floor ruined by 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane.
1954 to 1955 -
Rink Size: 75' x 175'. Floor: Concrete base, Ice surface (layers unknown). Floor Layout: Ice, standard.
April 1955 to Nov 1955 -
Rink Size: 75' x 175'. Floor: All purpose "plastic" floor. Floor Layout: N/A.
The next two sections, because of the battles of the Ice Rink and Roller, each floor may have been differ. And what one? So, leave as it is as N/A. If you knew when, you would know what floor they were.
Nov 1954 to 1966 -
Rink Size: 75' x 175'. Floor: Concrete base, Ice surface (layers unknown). Floor Layout: Ice, standard.
Post 1966 to 1980s? -
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
As Skate Park, 1980s?-
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: As Skate park, unknown platform. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building -
c.1871 Bradley Bathing Pavilion -
Building Size: N/A Built: 1871. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: 1903 Demolished.
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Trusses Wood and Glass - Walled Beach arena - like Building.
Roof: Flatted
Original 1905 to January 1928 -
Building Size: N/A Built: 1905. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Fire January 1929.
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Trusses Wood and Glass - Walled Beach Arena - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
1929 to 2006 / present -
Building Size: N/A Built: 1929. Renovations: Too many times.
Demolished: 2006 Half demolished (East wing), Still standing (West wing).. barely.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks and Bricks - Walled Arena - like Building.
Roof: Unique. (West wing is Gabled.)
Acres: N/A.
Architect (Bradley Pavilion): N/A.
Architect (Original 1905 Casino): N/A.
Architect (1929 replacement): Warren & Wetmore, a New York architect firm.
Contractor (1871): N/A.
Contractor (1905): N/A.
Contractor (1929 replacement): N/A.
Interior Designer (1871): N/A.
Interior Designer (1905): N/A.
Interior Designer (1929 replacement): N/A.
Organ: Hammond Organ (in 1939 building).
-Organist (under Casino Enterprises, Inc): Mrs. Mae Geller
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: (Part of Boardwalk Amusement Park)
- Ferris Wheel
- Carousel (number of horses, unknown)
- Controlled boat rides.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: Yes. 1929 on., Asbury Eighteen at 3rd Avenue and Boardwalk.
Arcade: (Number of games unknown)
Skee-Ball: Possible but unknown.
Fascination: Possible but unknown.
Restaurant: Several (as part of Boardwalk Amusement Park)
Cocktail lounge: Possible (as part of Boardwalk Amusement Park)
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: Asbury Park Hotel (Room numbers unknown)
Swimming Pool: None. (Beach)
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: Short lived.
Theater (movie/stage): As part of the East Wing. Seating numbers are appx. 1500.
Dance Center: None.
Picnic Grove: None.
Beach: Swimming. Actually 2 parts. Left side and right side of the Casino.
Operated: (Overall, all Ice, Roller, and skateboard park)-- 1905 to 1980s
Original Casino (Ice): 1905 to January 1929
Casino Arena (AOW): 1940 to September 1944 (Hurricane of 1944)
Casino Ice Palace: 14 November 1954 to April 1955.
Casino Skating Palace: Sunday, 01 May 1955 to 1980s (many changes due to battle of what rink to use due to different reasons).
Casino Skate Park: Brief in 1980s.
Reason for Closure:
Casino Arena: AOW terminated lease contract due to hurricane destroyed the interior of facility.
Casino Palace: Tough to answer this.. Read above. And sources. First, ice rink closed in 1955 due to low attendance. Then roller rink but twitched back to ice, back and forth.. till final was roller rink.
Casino Skate Park: Attempted to fruition failed to maintain operations. Final skating of a kind at this location.
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:
Tons of photos and postcards! click the links on that as well and you will see a lot more. Truly best collection I ever seen!
History of the Casino and photos - excellent read and in-depth. An excellent dissertation.
Boardwalk - brief history.
Asbury Park Museum - Racial history. NOTE! Proceed with caution. Sensitive material to read.
Wikipedia - The 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane. Up to 300 deaths at sea.
Date of issue: 04 August 2023.
Updated: 07 August 2023.
For office use only: 37.
Worth to visit:
Yes, you can! part of the building still stands today but a shell of it remains. Go visit! A good must stop to see this one. Please read the Disclaimer below first before you can head out and do photography. I will also only accept your photos if you submit them. Thank you.
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