Courtesy of ebay. This is not a clear photo. It was a matchbook. This is quite rare to have a rink to have matchbooks because smoking is quite opposite of healthy sport. A bit hypocritical don't you think? I think so.
Billboard, November 1945. The fire destroyed the rink.
Billboard, June 1958. The condemnation.
East Providence Roller Rink, 955 Broadway, East Providence, RI
This rink was in business right up to the state condemning the rink to built something else for a different set of wheels... that is, a highway for cars. Apparently the rink was doing pretty well right up to forced to close and tear down. If you look at the map on the ground, you are looking at the highway and the bridge over Broadway.
Unfortunately there is no photos. I searched. None I could find but will provide that Google Map of where it was today. You will see overgrowth of nature and the highway with bridge. That is where the rink was.
Anyone has a photo of the rink? What was it like? Why did not the state relocate the rink for free? Should have!
All I have that it had Maple wood floor according to Billboard in 1945 when they were rebuilding after the fire.
Well, it ran from 1941 to 1958 when it was condemned. Actually it had a fire in 1945 in January of that year and rebuilt and reopened by November the same year. That was a quick turnaround. But the second time with the state, they did not relocate. Instead that highway was built starting that year of 1958.
That highway is Interstate 195.
Rink Size: 80' x 130' (10,400 SF) Floor: Maple (both periods) Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A (Likely 1941) and rebuilt after fire, 1945. Demolished 1958 for highway.
Roof: N/A
Operated: January 18, 1941-January 15 1945; rebuilt/reopened November 20, 1945 to c. June 1958.
Reason for Closure: Condemned by the state to built Interstate 195 highway that runs over the property.
Wanted: Information regarding actual opening date after rebuilt and when closed for good (exact dates), photos!
Sources: FRRP, Billboards June 1958 (condemned), Billboard November 24, 1945 (reopen), Billboard Feb. 3, 1945 (the fire).
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
This rink was in business right up to the state condemning the rink to built something else for a different set of wheels... that is, a highway for cars. Apparently the rink was doing pretty well right up to forced to close and tear down. If you look at the map on the ground, you are looking at the highway and the bridge over Broadway.
Unfortunately there is no photos. I searched. None I could find but will provide that Google Map of where it was today. You will see overgrowth of nature and the highway with bridge. That is where the rink was.
Anyone has a photo of the rink? What was it like? Why did not the state relocate the rink for free? Should have!
All I have that it had Maple wood floor according to Billboard in 1945 when they were rebuilding after the fire.
Well, it ran from 1941 to 1958 when it was condemned. Actually it had a fire in 1945 in January of that year and rebuilt and reopened by November the same year. That was a quick turnaround. But the second time with the state, they did not relocate. Instead that highway was built starting that year of 1958.
That highway is Interstate 195.
Rink Size: 80' x 130' (10,400 SF) Floor: Maple (both periods) Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A (Likely 1941) and rebuilt after fire, 1945. Demolished 1958 for highway.
Roof: N/A
Operated: January 18, 1941-January 15 1945; rebuilt/reopened November 20, 1945 to c. June 1958.
Reason for Closure: Condemned by the state to built Interstate 195 highway that runs over the property.
Wanted: Information regarding actual opening date after rebuilt and when closed for good (exact dates), photos!
Sources: FRRP, Billboards June 1958 (condemned), Billboard November 24, 1945 (reopen), Billboard Feb. 3, 1945 (the fire).
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
