Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO.. The exterior of the rink. I love that classic look with glass blocks on each side of the front double door. Truly classic. Indeed. Looked to be built anywhere from 1920s to 1950s. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO.. The exterior of the rink. I love that classic look with glass blocks on each side of the front double door. Truly classic. Indeed. Looked to be built anywhere from 1920s to 1950s. Source: sugaryboogerybook.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO.. This is interesting. Classic walls you may remembered in homes and businesses. It was the style. Pine tongue and groove wall paneling! I love it. Really. It was either Rustic or MCM or even Google's back the day and this was more Rustic. I can see skate rental area plus concession stand. You can even notice the black (I am not sure if that was the color) count wheel. They had Chicago Skates. Interesting! I see that big bulky heater hanging from the ceiling. I knew places that are old had them. Even a rink I went to had them. Did not they knew heat rises? So, why hang it from the ceiling? It should be floor based! I know, because we Falso Family owned heating and air and sheet metal companies. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. This is the original Leo's on Boundary Street, Kirksville, MO. Source: Wikipedia.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. This is the relocated Leo's on North Baltimore Street aka Route 65 (Now Bus. Route 65), Kirksville, MO. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. This was where the former Leo's Roller Rink located in that dark colored roof. Cross the street (not shown) is 2 sized race tracks. Appeared to be dirt racing tracks. Seen in this photo are the manufactured homes so closely together. Now there are new stick built houses. Source:USGS.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. The current location where the former Leo's Roller Rink was. It is currently part Burger King and part Quality Inn Kirksville. Cross the street now is a Walmart Superstore. In that narrow road south of the hotel was once a trailer park. Now new stick built houses. Source: Google.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. The new location was being announced in the ad. Along with the schedule and same old prices for admission! That is rare. Likely advertised in Kirksville Daily Express Newspaper clipping send to me by A.H. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. This editorial was written by Lisa Burnett from Kirksville Daily Express. It was send to me by someone who went skating at this rink. By the look of the newspaper, it appeared to be shortly after Leo's closed. The couple skate lined up. He called that "Snowball Skate" Empire Skates did that too but not other rinks I went to did this. This was my favorite kind of skating.. Easier to meet the ladies for me considering I was so nervous and my being hard of hearing -- hard to talk with the girls (still hard to talk in person). Too bad I was not there, A.H. to skate with you! Source: Kirksville Daily Express Newspaper clipping send to me by A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. The whistle belonged to Beverly, who worked at the snack bar and would blow the whistle if you broke the rules. -- A.H. This is the first historical whistle I ever seen in a photo for Dead-Rinks. I am sure the museum has quite a bit. I have mine somewhere but it is broken. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. This piece of wall has dates written. I am sure it was a piece of wall actual taken from Leo's. Yes, you are even seeing the newspaper clipping which looked better shape than I received and shown above this photo. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. Wow, awesome jacket! Love the color! Its the trendy Blue now but way back then! I love the art work because of the skates are tied together and hung on the K as in RINK. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO. Looked like a tri-fold business card-literature combination. The literature dated in 1991-92. The people skating appeared to be from 1970s-80s clipart. Source: A.H.
Leo's Roller Rink Boundary Street, Kirksville, MO.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO.
Leo's Roller Rink 2202 North Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO.
This rink was even featured in Wikipedia! Not about the rink itself but used as an example in the definition of Roller Rink and history to it. Check it out at Wikipedia. It is interesting encyclopedia online regarding roller rinks and its history.
Ok, Leo Blodgett began his rink at the Boundary Street Location from December 7, 1945 to September 1952 but he relocated it to the North Baltimore Street aka Highway 63 which is also now Business Highway 63.
UPDATE! --
A nice and kind lady who wrote lengthily explained quite a bit about it and I will place most of it. Here is what BK has to say--
The EXACT location was at the intersection of highway 63 and highway 6. [Sorry B.K., someone emailed days ago regarding the exact location and I found it before reading your email. I apologize] After the sale of the rink a hotel was built in its place. The buyers didn’t want the rink and house that stood behind it, they wanted the land.
[Of course, that is the way businesses are. They would say they are interested but their intensions are quite different-- to totally gutted and redo a different business. After 3000 rinks I have seen this happen often. A realtor told me that is the way you have to deal with the business owner or property owner by not saying a word.]
Leo Blodgett [was the one started it all.] Leo originally had started on Boundary St. in Kirksville, then moved to the N. Hwy. 63 location. The original rink on Boundary street then became home of the Moose Lodge for MANY years until they too moved locations. [So, I believe the photograph I have above of the front door which appeared very old looking place was the Boundary Street location, not the North Highway 63 location which is also called North Baltimore Street. Is that right B.K.?]
Then Leo's was passed down to Arnold and Joyce Blodgett.
Kirksville may be a po-dunk town located in cornfield county, a relatively quiet poor, working class and farmers type area, but for us who grew up there Leo’s was everything. [That I understand! I went through something like that because my mom had to work till like 8 every night but she was given time for me to go to Empire Skates to skate and she has to get back to work at a rectory for the priests (to get the idea what I am talking about, watch Father Brown TV series from UK and you will see that Father Brown has a lady who does things for the priests such as cooking, cleaning, things like that)].
Also, the picture you have was taken before their remodel.
Ah, the photo with the rink? OK, that was the original before the remodel. OK. Would love to see more of the original and remodel and both locations.. the Boundary Street and the N. Hwy 63 (Business Hwy 63). Will email you to ask for that and you can relay that to your cousins. Thank you B.K.
Unfortunately, so far I have is the only interior photograph that was saved by a Wikipedia author! It shows a nice Black-and-White photo of the rink. It was a Log Cabin layout of the rink in Maple wood. It featured a diamond ball in center of the ceiling and hardly much disco lights. A standard 1950s rink according to Wikipedia! ha ha.
UPDATE! --
Although the antique shop and the rink were operated by the same family. The person who wrote me said his brother worked at the rink while his grandmother worked at the antique mall.
Side note: Leo's Roller Rink was one of the sponsors for a local favorite, Elaine's Dinning Room Restaurant that was just opened along with this shopping center, Northland Shopping Center. See the link here. It is in PDF format to let you know. Quite an interesting but sad story about this restaurant. But some shocking too! Please read it for extra fun of reading!
MORE UPDATE! --
This one from A.H. who wrote me lengthy email two days ago. Sorry for the delay as I get a lot going on with Dead-Rinks.
The photos are all coming from my brother who was the DJ at Leo’s for awhile, his name is Steve Cima. :)
The wood with the writing of the dates is actually a sign that was hung inside the rink. Because of my brother’s relationship with the family and dedication to the rink (he was also in the after hours roller hockey team), he was given many many items when it closed (including one of the full size arcade games!). Anyway, my mother made him a “memory box” of sorts using that sign as one of the sides and it’s full of stuff, including all the photos and clippings I’m sending. In addition he also has one of the glass blocks you mentioned liking on the outside of the building.
Oh wow! Even a full size arcade game! I was supposed to get one of the games from a now defunct arcade when I told them that when they want to get rid of, I would get it. They promised me that. It was Bubble Bobble. But the police raided for a drug bust. It was seized. Oh well. Good for him! There is a RetroWorld Expo that has all the antique arcade games that are on displayed, can play for free, and they have a sale/auction happening. It is in Connecticut.
The Boundary Street Location --
Interior:
N/A.
Exterior:
N/A.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple, clear coated, Urethane coated Floor Layout: Log Cabin.
Building Size: N/A. Built/Renovated: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Dark Red Bricks-Walled Commercial Building.
Roof: Gable?
Acres: N/A.
The North Baltimore Street Location --
Interior:
It is an interesting rink with much knotty pines wall paneling and counters. As you go in, you see the snack bar, admission, and skate rental all in one. 3 in 1. That is really economical. Perhaps staffed by one. Maybe they had more. But really interesting even with they had a count turn wheel. You had to walk through and they will know the count. Some venues do that but not as much anymore. They focus on e-tickets today or ticket booth and only focus on that.
They had Maple floor like the original. Non-painted. All wood look interior.
Exterior:
Beautiful brick building that had storefront look with even glass block windows which was a borrowed style from 1930s common with Art Deco but this was a mix of Deco with Contemporary of its time. The signs I can tell were all neon. Leos in one, Roller which was bigger and in center, and Rink was on the other side of same wall. Left to right (see photos) Neon signs were popular tube lights that are customized into letters and shapes and logos at the time. You remember the Holiday Inn signs? Your local diners? Drive-ins? (Yes, restaurants and theaters both had them) Common from 1920s to 1960s.
There was a house behind it. I assume that is a resident. It was right next to the trailer park. People call that but more proper term today manufacturers wanted to stay away is "Trailer" Its manufactured home. Manufactured home park. I am usually not "PC" person. I still call them trailer park. They hauled homes, period. Usually made by same companies as they do with recreational vehicles.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple, clear coated, Urethane coated Floor Layout: Log Cabin.
Building Size: N/A. Built/Renovated: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: N/A.
Roof: Gable?
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (overall) -- December 7, 1945 to August 14, 1992.
The Boundary Street Location: December 7, 1945 to September 1952.
The North Baltimore Street Location: September 1952 to August 14, 1992.
Reason for Closure: Arnold was saying, "It was not paying anymore" referring to older kids not skating anymore which hurts financially for the rink.
Wanted: Just the original location-- needs photos!
Sources:
Wikipedia.
Bizapedia.
Email.
USGS.
Sugary Boogery Book - Mentioned the rink and in a poem.
Email from B.K.
Email from A.H. as in April Heywood.
Date of Issue: 2019 Updated: 06 September 21 Updated: 09 September 2021. Updated: 13 September 2021. and 17 September 2021.
For Office Only: 13
© Copyrighted by Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3, 17.
Ok, Leo Blodgett began his rink at the Boundary Street Location from December 7, 1945 to September 1952 but he relocated it to the North Baltimore Street aka Highway 63 which is also now Business Highway 63.
UPDATE! --
A nice and kind lady who wrote lengthily explained quite a bit about it and I will place most of it. Here is what BK has to say--
The EXACT location was at the intersection of highway 63 and highway 6. [Sorry B.K., someone emailed days ago regarding the exact location and I found it before reading your email. I apologize] After the sale of the rink a hotel was built in its place. The buyers didn’t want the rink and house that stood behind it, they wanted the land.
[Of course, that is the way businesses are. They would say they are interested but their intensions are quite different-- to totally gutted and redo a different business. After 3000 rinks I have seen this happen often. A realtor told me that is the way you have to deal with the business owner or property owner by not saying a word.]
Leo Blodgett [was the one started it all.] Leo originally had started on Boundary St. in Kirksville, then moved to the N. Hwy. 63 location. The original rink on Boundary street then became home of the Moose Lodge for MANY years until they too moved locations. [So, I believe the photograph I have above of the front door which appeared very old looking place was the Boundary Street location, not the North Highway 63 location which is also called North Baltimore Street. Is that right B.K.?]
Then Leo's was passed down to Arnold and Joyce Blodgett.
Kirksville may be a po-dunk town located in cornfield county, a relatively quiet poor, working class and farmers type area, but for us who grew up there Leo’s was everything. [That I understand! I went through something like that because my mom had to work till like 8 every night but she was given time for me to go to Empire Skates to skate and she has to get back to work at a rectory for the priests (to get the idea what I am talking about, watch Father Brown TV series from UK and you will see that Father Brown has a lady who does things for the priests such as cooking, cleaning, things like that)].
Also, the picture you have was taken before their remodel.
Ah, the photo with the rink? OK, that was the original before the remodel. OK. Would love to see more of the original and remodel and both locations.. the Boundary Street and the N. Hwy 63 (Business Hwy 63). Will email you to ask for that and you can relay that to your cousins. Thank you B.K.
Unfortunately, so far I have is the only interior photograph that was saved by a Wikipedia author! It shows a nice Black-and-White photo of the rink. It was a Log Cabin layout of the rink in Maple wood. It featured a diamond ball in center of the ceiling and hardly much disco lights. A standard 1950s rink according to Wikipedia! ha ha.
UPDATE! --
Although the antique shop and the rink were operated by the same family. The person who wrote me said his brother worked at the rink while his grandmother worked at the antique mall.
Side note: Leo's Roller Rink was one of the sponsors for a local favorite, Elaine's Dinning Room Restaurant that was just opened along with this shopping center, Northland Shopping Center. See the link here. It is in PDF format to let you know. Quite an interesting but sad story about this restaurant. But some shocking too! Please read it for extra fun of reading!
MORE UPDATE! --
This one from A.H. who wrote me lengthy email two days ago. Sorry for the delay as I get a lot going on with Dead-Rinks.
The photos are all coming from my brother who was the DJ at Leo’s for awhile, his name is Steve Cima. :)
The wood with the writing of the dates is actually a sign that was hung inside the rink. Because of my brother’s relationship with the family and dedication to the rink (he was also in the after hours roller hockey team), he was given many many items when it closed (including one of the full size arcade games!). Anyway, my mother made him a “memory box” of sorts using that sign as one of the sides and it’s full of stuff, including all the photos and clippings I’m sending. In addition he also has one of the glass blocks you mentioned liking on the outside of the building.
Oh wow! Even a full size arcade game! I was supposed to get one of the games from a now defunct arcade when I told them that when they want to get rid of, I would get it. They promised me that. It was Bubble Bobble. But the police raided for a drug bust. It was seized. Oh well. Good for him! There is a RetroWorld Expo that has all the antique arcade games that are on displayed, can play for free, and they have a sale/auction happening. It is in Connecticut.
The Boundary Street Location --
Interior:
N/A.
Exterior:
N/A.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple, clear coated, Urethane coated Floor Layout: Log Cabin.
Building Size: N/A. Built/Renovated: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Dark Red Bricks-Walled Commercial Building.
Roof: Gable?
Acres: N/A.
The North Baltimore Street Location --
Interior:
It is an interesting rink with much knotty pines wall paneling and counters. As you go in, you see the snack bar, admission, and skate rental all in one. 3 in 1. That is really economical. Perhaps staffed by one. Maybe they had more. But really interesting even with they had a count turn wheel. You had to walk through and they will know the count. Some venues do that but not as much anymore. They focus on e-tickets today or ticket booth and only focus on that.
They had Maple floor like the original. Non-painted. All wood look interior.
Exterior:
Beautiful brick building that had storefront look with even glass block windows which was a borrowed style from 1930s common with Art Deco but this was a mix of Deco with Contemporary of its time. The signs I can tell were all neon. Leos in one, Roller which was bigger and in center, and Rink was on the other side of same wall. Left to right (see photos) Neon signs were popular tube lights that are customized into letters and shapes and logos at the time. You remember the Holiday Inn signs? Your local diners? Drive-ins? (Yes, restaurants and theaters both had them) Common from 1920s to 1960s.
There was a house behind it. I assume that is a resident. It was right next to the trailer park. People call that but more proper term today manufacturers wanted to stay away is "Trailer" Its manufactured home. Manufactured home park. I am usually not "PC" person. I still call them trailer park. They hauled homes, period. Usually made by same companies as they do with recreational vehicles.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple, clear coated, Urethane coated Floor Layout: Log Cabin.
Building Size: N/A. Built/Renovated: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: N/A.
Roof: Gable?
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (overall) -- December 7, 1945 to August 14, 1992.
The Boundary Street Location: December 7, 1945 to September 1952.
The North Baltimore Street Location: September 1952 to August 14, 1992.
Reason for Closure: Arnold was saying, "It was not paying anymore" referring to older kids not skating anymore which hurts financially for the rink.
Wanted: Just the original location-- needs photos!
Sources:
Wikipedia.
Bizapedia.
Email.
USGS.
Sugary Boogery Book - Mentioned the rink and in a poem.
Email from B.K.
Email from A.H. as in April Heywood.
Date of Issue: 2019 Updated: 06 September 21 Updated: 09 September 2021. Updated: 13 September 2021. and 17 September 2021.
For Office Only: 13
© Copyrighted by Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3, 17.