Chestnut Street Skating Rink 23rd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA. Water color over Black-and-White photo postcard print. Hey, you on the lower left corner, you ok? Yes, he fell down and was captured here in this picture. You see his hat? That is why roller rinks do NOT want you to wear your hat on the rink! It appeared to be larger than a NHL rink. The interior feels about the same size as the Center of Progress building at the New York State Fairgrounds. You can go there during the Fair and get the idea of comparison for size. Source: Library Company of Philadelphia.
Chestnut Street Skating Rink
23rd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA
23rd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA
Chestnut Street Skating Rink 23rd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was one of the earliest roller rink in Philadelphia. It was rather a large rink because of its very open spacious interior with Half-Barrel Arch with upper balcony.
From seeing the postcard which is pretty rough idea of color with watercolor paint. It points out as it was Maple floor or close to Maple in Janka Mar Scale.
This rink as this postcard showed, likely in 1880s to 1890s. Many of those do not last more than 20 years at the time. Likely it ran between 1 and 20 years.
The Interior.
Very spacious high Half-Barrel Arch ceiling and roof which can be made into another floor or two. It was that massive and the floor may have been a NHL size-rink or larger in size. Many spectatlors can watch skaters from ground floor behind the rails or from the balcony. It was likely wood ceiling as well but Free-Span steel truss just arches only, no bridge-type spans. It had some kind of Monitor style roof on top of the arch. Ceiling Pendant lamps were hanging long and closer. Likely in evening, those space above the lamps were dark.
They had some kind of Hex Sign art work on each side of the arch. Of course, Pennsylvania is mostly known for Amish and Mennonites Christian communities in mostly Central and Eastern part of Pennsylvania. It is a common myth that the Amish use Hex Signs. They do NOT use Hex Signs which is goes against their Christian faith. A popular item that even today people can buy those Hex signs and Quilt signs on barns which are actually a memorial for loved ones or animals who passed away. See here. And here.
The Exterior.
The exterior is unknown however, by observing the building interior, the exterior had mixed roof design. Half-Barrel Arch with Monitor part of the roof in the Perpendicular of the arch on top.
Likely it was Stone masonry built.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely Hardwood Maple or close. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: Appx. 60,000 SF*. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A.
Demolished: N/A. (It is demolished but no date is shown).
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Stone Veneer - Walled Arena.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A. (Likely they had an organ but no information).
Operated: (Overall)-- 1880s-1890s (roughly).
Reason for Closure: N/A.
* The size is based on Center of Progress building at the New York State Fair with roughly of the same size as seen in postcard. Yes, count the balcony as well as the eating area and snack bar and skate rental as well as restrooms and check room (coat room) not seen in postcard for the total square footage. This was massive!
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:
Hidden City Philia - About the bygone rinks. (Excellent article! One of best seen!)
Center of Progress Building - NYS Fairgrounds for reference in size and appearance.
Worth to visit:
None.
Date of issue: 24 February 2022.
For office use only: 1.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
From seeing the postcard which is pretty rough idea of color with watercolor paint. It points out as it was Maple floor or close to Maple in Janka Mar Scale.
This rink as this postcard showed, likely in 1880s to 1890s. Many of those do not last more than 20 years at the time. Likely it ran between 1 and 20 years.
The Interior.
Very spacious high Half-Barrel Arch ceiling and roof which can be made into another floor or two. It was that massive and the floor may have been a NHL size-rink or larger in size. Many spectatlors can watch skaters from ground floor behind the rails or from the balcony. It was likely wood ceiling as well but Free-Span steel truss just arches only, no bridge-type spans. It had some kind of Monitor style roof on top of the arch. Ceiling Pendant lamps were hanging long and closer. Likely in evening, those space above the lamps were dark.
They had some kind of Hex Sign art work on each side of the arch. Of course, Pennsylvania is mostly known for Amish and Mennonites Christian communities in mostly Central and Eastern part of Pennsylvania. It is a common myth that the Amish use Hex Signs. They do NOT use Hex Signs which is goes against their Christian faith. A popular item that even today people can buy those Hex signs and Quilt signs on barns which are actually a memorial for loved ones or animals who passed away. See here. And here.
The Exterior.
The exterior is unknown however, by observing the building interior, the exterior had mixed roof design. Half-Barrel Arch with Monitor part of the roof in the Perpendicular of the arch on top.
Likely it was Stone masonry built.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely Hardwood Maple or close. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: Appx. 60,000 SF*. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A.
Demolished: N/A. (It is demolished but no date is shown).
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Stone Veneer - Walled Arena.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A. (Likely they had an organ but no information).
Operated: (Overall)-- 1880s-1890s (roughly).
Reason for Closure: N/A.
* The size is based on Center of Progress building at the New York State Fair with roughly of the same size as seen in postcard. Yes, count the balcony as well as the eating area and snack bar and skate rental as well as restrooms and check room (coat room) not seen in postcard for the total square footage. This was massive!
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:
Hidden City Philia - About the bygone rinks. (Excellent article! One of best seen!)
Center of Progress Building - NYS Fairgrounds for reference in size and appearance.
Worth to visit:
None.
Date of issue: 24 February 2022.
For office use only: 1.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.