Ariel view of former rink (currently Monroe College Campus) Photo Courtesy Google Map.
Sticker. Photo courtesy of Forgotten Roller Rinks of the Past.
Photo courtesy of John Resanovich. It was the cover of free books giveaway as part of promotion by the rink in 1953.
What a beautiful find. Aww, the shape of it. In my opinion, I think it was a notebook. the kind you put in your pocket and you can write phone numbers down. Remember that guys? Yeah, I sure remembered mine at Empire and Sports. Haha. I ended up having 4 girlfriends after meeting them at those rinks near me. And yes, I was able to call them! I am sure many guys were the same way. This is good example of "little black book" if you get my drift.
What a beautiful find. Aww, the shape of it. In my opinion, I think it was a notebook. the kind you put in your pocket and you can write phone numbers down. Remember that guys? Yeah, I sure remembered mine at Empire and Sports. Haha. I ended up having 4 girlfriends after meeting them at those rinks near me. And yes, I was able to call them! I am sure many guys were the same way. This is good example of "little black book" if you get my drift.
Fordham Skating Palace 2507 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY
This rink was quite interesting rink that has to do with unique architecture. It was quite fancy appearance as you can see in the Google Map. There are no antique photographs when it was in business. Any photos and information would be appreciated.
John Beckman built the roller rink in 1931 and opened for business (Billboard, Nov 5, 1949) and acquired an organ from Wurlitzer Organ Company of North Tonawanda, N.Y. and was installed on September 19, 1935 until a private owner purchased it on January 15, 1939 This organ model, Opus 1416 (1925) was an Electro-pneumatic action, Style B. Originally the organ was from Pastime-Osborne Theatre that was in the neighborhood--The Bronx. Today the organ is at the Roxy Theatre in Northampton, Pennsylvania, likely restored for 2nd time. (Source:
Wurlitzer Organ Company)
The rink focused on organ music for the skaters.
The architecture of the building was actually different than it is today as Monroe College because of the updates on the exterior as you can see the photos. Of course, all of the facility has been converted to classrooms and lab rooms. They updated the windows to place modern windows that would not be a fit and more expensive to make it curved. The evidence is easily seen with the concrete on the head of the window. It must be a beauty with that design. Also if you seen on Google Map, see the line just above the base of the modern windows that are installed. That was the floor elevation where the skating rink originally was held. Apparently the design of the floor was different location than what Monroe College had in mind to built their class rooms and offices and labs.
If you see the domed part, that was clearly the location of the rink. The original front was technically at where the big main entrance of the college if you were looking from street level. Likely they added the two stories new side left of the main entrance if you look at the bricks connecting the two buildings. So originally it was likely either another building or was all open yard or parking lot for the skaters. The original entrance was likely all covered up by the new extension 2-storys building for the college. This is why an antique photo is necessary. Anyone?
Monroe College had the new front on the Jerome Avenue side.
Originally it was just skating and ballroom dancing in 1930s and 1940s. Skating in 1950s and then in 1963, hardly anyone skated and the building was sold by a corporation to another corporation. The final years had wresting matches and private parties at the facility. (Source: NY Times, November 17, 1964).
That owner must have sold to the college and they opened as Monroe Campus in the Bronx in 1967.
Rink Size: N/A Floor: Wood (maybe Maple?) Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: N/A Built: Likely 1930-31. Now a college campus. Previously, unknown.
Type of Building: Free Span Cinderblock and Brick Building. Demolished: Still standing, heavily renovated, added.
Roof: Segmental Arch/D-Roof and Flat
Acres: N/A
Operations: November 1949 to 1963.
Reason for Closure: Declining in skating.
WANTED: Photos and information.
Source: FRRP, J.R.
Date of issue: January 2019 Update: 22 April 2021.
© Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
John Beckman built the roller rink in 1931 and opened for business (Billboard, Nov 5, 1949) and acquired an organ from Wurlitzer Organ Company of North Tonawanda, N.Y. and was installed on September 19, 1935 until a private owner purchased it on January 15, 1939 This organ model, Opus 1416 (1925) was an Electro-pneumatic action, Style B. Originally the organ was from Pastime-Osborne Theatre that was in the neighborhood--The Bronx. Today the organ is at the Roxy Theatre in Northampton, Pennsylvania, likely restored for 2nd time. (Source:
Wurlitzer Organ Company)
The rink focused on organ music for the skaters.
The architecture of the building was actually different than it is today as Monroe College because of the updates on the exterior as you can see the photos. Of course, all of the facility has been converted to classrooms and lab rooms. They updated the windows to place modern windows that would not be a fit and more expensive to make it curved. The evidence is easily seen with the concrete on the head of the window. It must be a beauty with that design. Also if you seen on Google Map, see the line just above the base of the modern windows that are installed. That was the floor elevation where the skating rink originally was held. Apparently the design of the floor was different location than what Monroe College had in mind to built their class rooms and offices and labs.
If you see the domed part, that was clearly the location of the rink. The original front was technically at where the big main entrance of the college if you were looking from street level. Likely they added the two stories new side left of the main entrance if you look at the bricks connecting the two buildings. So originally it was likely either another building or was all open yard or parking lot for the skaters. The original entrance was likely all covered up by the new extension 2-storys building for the college. This is why an antique photo is necessary. Anyone?
Monroe College had the new front on the Jerome Avenue side.
Originally it was just skating and ballroom dancing in 1930s and 1940s. Skating in 1950s and then in 1963, hardly anyone skated and the building was sold by a corporation to another corporation. The final years had wresting matches and private parties at the facility. (Source: NY Times, November 17, 1964).
That owner must have sold to the college and they opened as Monroe Campus in the Bronx in 1967.
Rink Size: N/A Floor: Wood (maybe Maple?) Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: N/A Built: Likely 1930-31. Now a college campus. Previously, unknown.
Type of Building: Free Span Cinderblock and Brick Building. Demolished: Still standing, heavily renovated, added.
Roof: Segmental Arch/D-Roof and Flat
Acres: N/A
Operations: November 1949 to 1963.
Reason for Closure: Declining in skating.
WANTED: Photos and information.
Source: FRRP, J.R.
Date of issue: January 2019 Update: 22 April 2021.
© Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.