Photo courtesy of Susan Miller. A grindy B/W photo of the rink. It did appear rustic Gable roof building.
Article courtesy of The Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, Thursday 11 Feb 1954, Page 31. Opening announced.
Article courtesy of The Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, Friday, 22 Dec 1961, Page 9 Apparently the founder and owner decided to let someone else run the rink.
Advertisements. Both were from The Eugene Guard Newspapers. There were many more but two were selected to be shown here. I like the Valentine's Day Grand Opening ad because it featured a very detailed heart. Second ad was featured on February 12, 1954. First one was featured on September 24, 1963. Merely two months before JFK Assassination.
Kreklau's Roller Rink, 5400 Fox Hollow Road, Eugene, OR
Kreklau's Roller Rink was a rink in Eugene that it was the place for skaters to go to from 1950s to 1970s.
Getting to the rink is quite like an adventure for people attending the rink after departure from the city into the deep woods where the rink was held. The rink was in a huge rustic looking building The rink was named after the Kreklaus.
On February 14, 1954 the rink opened after Adolph and Freda Kreklau and their son, Lloyd, built he building in 1953. Since it opened on Valentine’s Day, the owners announced that as their first promotion, there would be Valentine’s candy prizes for those who attended.
They even had a local popular children character, Cap'n Shipwreck of Cap'n and the Laf-a-lot boat to be at the rink among the children. From 1961 to 1967 Cap'n and the Laf-a Lot Boat was a local television staple on KVAL-TV which was in demand that it was booked a year in advanced for birthday parties, children events including at the rink.
The rink's popularity was in 1960s but by the late 1970s, the rink declined and closed up by the year 1980. But in 1960s, the rink was filled every day that they even bought 2 yellow school buses to transport children skaters daily to the rink. However, in 1980s, they closed due to decline of attendance and a disputed tax issue with Lane County that they relentlessly sold the rink and it was cleared for development.
The rink was made of hardwood Masonite floor boards. It was covered with Green colored Rink Cote, that was predecessor to current popular polyurethane coat that protects the floor at the time.
Funny thing, I have no photos of the popular rink! Just interior showing people at the rink. Any one has photos of the rink itself? I would appreciate them and be added and you will be credited! I only could find a hard to see B/W photo.
Rink Size: 40 X 100 (half of NHL rink size) (4,000 SF) Floor: Masonite floor covered with green “Rink Cote,” Floor Layout: Standard
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A Demolished. (according to map, partial cleared land, and other part a
retirement home facility). Currently a retirement/nursery home.
Roof: Gable.
Operated: Valentine's Day February 14, 1954 to 1980
Reason for Closure: First the owners, the Kreklaus, leased to new management in 1961 then rink closed in 1980 due to decline attendances, and a property tax dispute with Lane County.
Wanted: Information regarding exact date of closure, PHOTOS! Strange no photos for a popular rink!?
Sources: The Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, Thursday 11 Feb 1954, Page 31, The Eugene Guard,
Eugene, Oregon, Friday, 22 Dec 1961, Page 9, Eugene Magazine, by Mike Wolfe, Cap'n Shipwreck article in Eugene Magazine by Mike Wolfe,
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
Kreklau's Roller Rink was a rink in Eugene that it was the place for skaters to go to from 1950s to 1970s.
Getting to the rink is quite like an adventure for people attending the rink after departure from the city into the deep woods where the rink was held. The rink was in a huge rustic looking building The rink was named after the Kreklaus.
On February 14, 1954 the rink opened after Adolph and Freda Kreklau and their son, Lloyd, built he building in 1953. Since it opened on Valentine’s Day, the owners announced that as their first promotion, there would be Valentine’s candy prizes for those who attended.
They even had a local popular children character, Cap'n Shipwreck of Cap'n and the Laf-a-lot boat to be at the rink among the children. From 1961 to 1967 Cap'n and the Laf-a Lot Boat was a local television staple on KVAL-TV which was in demand that it was booked a year in advanced for birthday parties, children events including at the rink.
The rink's popularity was in 1960s but by the late 1970s, the rink declined and closed up by the year 1980. But in 1960s, the rink was filled every day that they even bought 2 yellow school buses to transport children skaters daily to the rink. However, in 1980s, they closed due to decline of attendance and a disputed tax issue with Lane County that they relentlessly sold the rink and it was cleared for development.
The rink was made of hardwood Masonite floor boards. It was covered with Green colored Rink Cote, that was predecessor to current popular polyurethane coat that protects the floor at the time.
Funny thing, I have no photos of the popular rink! Just interior showing people at the rink. Any one has photos of the rink itself? I would appreciate them and be added and you will be credited! I only could find a hard to see B/W photo.
Rink Size: 40 X 100 (half of NHL rink size) (4,000 SF) Floor: Masonite floor covered with green “Rink Cote,” Floor Layout: Standard
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A Demolished. (according to map, partial cleared land, and other part a
retirement home facility). Currently a retirement/nursery home.
Roof: Gable.
Operated: Valentine's Day February 14, 1954 to 1980
Reason for Closure: First the owners, the Kreklaus, leased to new management in 1961 then rink closed in 1980 due to decline attendances, and a property tax dispute with Lane County.
Wanted: Information regarding exact date of closure, PHOTOS! Strange no photos for a popular rink!?
Sources: The Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, Thursday 11 Feb 1954, Page 31, The Eugene Guard,
Eugene, Oregon, Friday, 22 Dec 1961, Page 9, Eugene Magazine, by Mike Wolfe, Cap'n Shipwreck article in Eugene Magazine by Mike Wolfe,
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.