Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. New coach teacing at the rink at the time. Source:Billboard 18 October 1946.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. This was horrific to see this advertisement! I had to censored part of this postcard or poster. We apologize for any inconviences however, due to this being family-friendly site, I had to cover it. Source: Old Chester, PA website.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. Looked like a postcard. Source: Skating News March 1946.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. Beautiful rink floor in 1940s or 1950s. Source: Kathy Peterson Tini.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. This was taken in 1955-56. Source: Kathy Peterson Tini.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. The Great Leopard Fire of April 1971. Source: Kathy Peterson Tini. Taken on 21 of April 1971.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. Source: Skating News March 1946.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. Source: Billboard 19 June 1948. Page 69.
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA. Source:
Great Leopard Skating Rink Chester, PA
Great Leopard Skating Rink at 6th and Penn Streets, Chester, Pennsylvania was a popular rink before they had a fire on 21 April 1971. The fire took 2 to 3 days to be fought by the fire department. It was a total loss.
Before that, Jack Coopersmith opened and operated this rink in 1937 and ran this rink for 4 years.
Actually this rink had two locations. First one was above the farmers' market and what was unique that the owner of the rink would have people come for Thanksgiving dinner giveaway and after eating, they can go roller skating for free.
The Great Leopard Fire of 1971--
The fire really was horrible as it happened during a session. Only 2 employees--the operator and an employee with 30 children skating in the rink. First the children smelled smoke and alerted Mr. Coopersmith and discovered there was a fire and so both men ushered children out of the building while the children have roller skates still on as the stepped outside.
Fire was discovered in the building shortly before 5:30 p.m. Both Operator Mr. Coopersmith and a skating rink employee, William Dill rescued the children out while they were still on roller skates. Fire under control 4 hours later.
All children and both the owner and employee made it outside. When the owner discovered the fire after the children said they smelled smoke, he called the police which they called the fire department. This was long before 911.
It was a big news about the fire. 250 fire fighters joined together to fight the fire that day. five city fire companies and additional companies from neighboring Delaware County communities.
The cause of the fire was not known.
Beyond the fire--
The "new" Great Leopard was called Spinning Wheels and was on Rt.202. It was built and run by Bill Coopersmith, Jack's son, until the insurance became so high that Bill decided it was no longer profitable. The Great Leopard was named for Great Leopard Enterprises, which was the corporation owned by Jack Coopersmith.
UPDATE! -- 19 March 2022
I received more information from B.G.--
The rink was located at 6th and Penn Streets in Chester, Pa. The rink was on the third (top) floor depending on how looked at the building. There actually three levels. The Hi-Lo market was not as big as the two other floors and was in the lower parking lot so it didn’t really count as a “floor”. The “second” floor, if you count the market as a floor, contained a clothing outlet and then a Penn State University Campus. The “third” floor was the rink and yes, the roof was damaged by high winds. The owner had the entire building torn down and a new building was built, but not for skating. It is still there. The owner (Bill Coopersmith) built a new rink in Concordville, Pennsylvania In 1974 called Spinning Wheels. The building is still there and is used by Goodwill and a Gun Range and store.
Ah, I get it! So the lower floor is actually parking lot, the 2nd floor is actually the "first" floor, then the 3rd floor the "second" floor. I get it. I have seen this occurance especially in major cities.. Such as Marina City, affectionately known as "the Corn Cob" by the river in Chicago. Mony (Now as AXA) Towers in Syracuse, NY has a garage below the twin towers.
I hope I got the description correct.
The Interior.
Original above the market: Maple floor. Technically the rink was on "third" but actually the second floor above the HI-LO market. I am not sure if access was from exterior or interior of the market. Anyway, they said it was a clothing store on second floor and a unversity classes campus and on the first floor was actually parking garage plus a trophy shop that the rink ordered winners trophies from tha very same store below the rink.
Relocated: Maple Hardwood floor, some type of oiled floor.
The Exterior.
Original above The market market: It was a two story building with farmers' market on the ground floor, the rink was above the farmer's market.
Relocated: Single story Gabled Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocked - Walled Warehouse - like Building
The Stats:
Original above farmer's market:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted, Hardwood Maple. Floor Layout: Fan
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: 21 April 1971 by fire.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocked - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
Relocated:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted, Hardwood Maple. Floor Layout: Fan
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: N/A
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocked - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- March 1937 to 19 October 1954, reopened 03 Feburary 1955 to 21 April 1971.
Reason for Closure: The 19th of October 1954 due to Hurricane Hazel -- only temporarily. Finally reopened 03 Feb 1955 after repairs. Closed again for good after the massive fire of 21 April 1971.
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:
Old Chester PA - The Great Fire of 1971.
Flickr
Widener University - Photo collection.
Billboard - 10 October 1942. Page 69.
Billboard - 19 January 1946. Page 53.
Billboard - May 29 1948, page 96
Billboard -
Billboard - 18 September 1948, Page 79.
Old Chester, PA - the Great Leopard Fire of 1971.
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 March 2022.
For office use only: 15.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
Before that, Jack Coopersmith opened and operated this rink in 1937 and ran this rink for 4 years.
Actually this rink had two locations. First one was above the farmers' market and what was unique that the owner of the rink would have people come for Thanksgiving dinner giveaway and after eating, they can go roller skating for free.
The Great Leopard Fire of 1971--
The fire really was horrible as it happened during a session. Only 2 employees--the operator and an employee with 30 children skating in the rink. First the children smelled smoke and alerted Mr. Coopersmith and discovered there was a fire and so both men ushered children out of the building while the children have roller skates still on as the stepped outside.
Fire was discovered in the building shortly before 5:30 p.m. Both Operator Mr. Coopersmith and a skating rink employee, William Dill rescued the children out while they were still on roller skates. Fire under control 4 hours later.
All children and both the owner and employee made it outside. When the owner discovered the fire after the children said they smelled smoke, he called the police which they called the fire department. This was long before 911.
It was a big news about the fire. 250 fire fighters joined together to fight the fire that day. five city fire companies and additional companies from neighboring Delaware County communities.
The cause of the fire was not known.
Beyond the fire--
The "new" Great Leopard was called Spinning Wheels and was on Rt.202. It was built and run by Bill Coopersmith, Jack's son, until the insurance became so high that Bill decided it was no longer profitable. The Great Leopard was named for Great Leopard Enterprises, which was the corporation owned by Jack Coopersmith.
UPDATE! -- 19 March 2022
I received more information from B.G.--
The rink was located at 6th and Penn Streets in Chester, Pa. The rink was on the third (top) floor depending on how looked at the building. There actually three levels. The Hi-Lo market was not as big as the two other floors and was in the lower parking lot so it didn’t really count as a “floor”. The “second” floor, if you count the market as a floor, contained a clothing outlet and then a Penn State University Campus. The “third” floor was the rink and yes, the roof was damaged by high winds. The owner had the entire building torn down and a new building was built, but not for skating. It is still there. The owner (Bill Coopersmith) built a new rink in Concordville, Pennsylvania In 1974 called Spinning Wheels. The building is still there and is used by Goodwill and a Gun Range and store.
Ah, I get it! So the lower floor is actually parking lot, the 2nd floor is actually the "first" floor, then the 3rd floor the "second" floor. I get it. I have seen this occurance especially in major cities.. Such as Marina City, affectionately known as "the Corn Cob" by the river in Chicago. Mony (Now as AXA) Towers in Syracuse, NY has a garage below the twin towers.
I hope I got the description correct.
The Interior.
Original above the market: Maple floor. Technically the rink was on "third" but actually the second floor above the HI-LO market. I am not sure if access was from exterior or interior of the market. Anyway, they said it was a clothing store on second floor and a unversity classes campus and on the first floor was actually parking garage plus a trophy shop that the rink ordered winners trophies from tha very same store below the rink.
Relocated: Maple Hardwood floor, some type of oiled floor.
The Exterior.
Original above The market market: It was a two story building with farmers' market on the ground floor, the rink was above the farmer's market.
Relocated: Single story Gabled Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocked - Walled Warehouse - like Building
The Stats:
Original above farmer's market:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted, Hardwood Maple. Floor Layout: Fan
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: 21 April 1971 by fire.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocked - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
Relocated:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted, Hardwood Maple. Floor Layout: Fan
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: N/A
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocked - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- March 1937 to 19 October 1954, reopened 03 Feburary 1955 to 21 April 1971.
Reason for Closure: The 19th of October 1954 due to Hurricane Hazel -- only temporarily. Finally reopened 03 Feb 1955 after repairs. Closed again for good after the massive fire of 21 April 1971.
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:
Old Chester PA - The Great Fire of 1971.
Flickr
Widener University - Photo collection.
Billboard - 10 October 1942. Page 69.
Billboard - 19 January 1946. Page 53.
Billboard - May 29 1948, page 96
Billboard -
Billboard - 18 September 1948, Page 79.
Old Chester, PA - the Great Leopard Fire of 1971.
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 March 2022.
For office use only: 15.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.