The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. Source: Pinterest/ Logan Library.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. This photo was taken in 1927. You can tell with the 1920s automobile. One thing bothered me though. Look at this picture. Was it glare? Old cameras in 1920s were already becoming more of one click type of camera. I do not know what they used for as taking this photograph. I am trying not to say it is paranormal. You can see it is pretty square light reflexion but also the bursts out. There is no way a mirror would be there. It may look like that but it is not a mirror. Windows can but it was too low to be a window. It is not where the glare is from. You can even see it was shining in FRONT of the tree there. Look carefully. Was it paranormal after all? It may have been an orb. But this orb is quite big. Anyone can help me debunk? No wonder in 2014, it was opened as a haunted house that people thought this place was haunted. . Source: Logan Tax Office.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. This was during one of those annual Roller Raspsoides. In background you can see skate rental that a couple wanted to rent skates during the show. A little girl watched from the corner of the rink while a coat girl was sitting in the back (see toward right where the coat rack is). Source: the Bear River Heritage.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. The entrance. Again, the neon lights. Source: the Herald-Journal.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. Those two photos were taken during renovation. Source: Herald-Journal.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. Those two photos were taken during renovation. Source: Herald-Journal.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. ikely this is the after renovation. See those clear wood (no paint)? Those were the panels that were able to removed to air out during hot summers. Source: Pinterest.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. As taken in June 2013. A good picture but why blurred that tree!? Haha. Silly! I checked and they blurred out a HOUSE! Why blur that house? I think I know why. So, never mind why! Next one is also of Google Map. Different position to avoid the blur of that poor tree! Taken in June 2019. You still can see SKATING peeking through white paint. Source: Google..
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" / Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT. Today. Source: Google.
The Thatcher Amusement Hall "The Bowery" 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT
Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT
Logan Roller Rink 101 E Center Street, Logan, UT
Logan Roller Rink was a roller rink for a period of time but the building itself had much history. It is already over a hundred years old. It was an old wood-clad building built in 1904 by Eric Lehi Olsen but before that, owners owned the land and sold to the next a few times but it was not until 1904 when it was built. It was sold to the Thatcher Company Orchestra which was the same group that currently owns the Thatcher Opera House. Then the Logan Skating Rink was opened on June 1, 1904 after spending 10,000 USD that year. (Equals to 290,016 USD in 2020). It was called, “The Thatcher Amusement Hall” but many people simply called it “The Bowery.”
That was the beginning. It was an amusement center or recreation where they played music and dances to it. It was a rink too. Image the band playing music while you skate? A rare fest you perhaps never saw it again in late 20th Century nor even 21st Century.
Since they had no air conditioning, they would open up panels on sides of windows on the side of the building. Both sides to let breeze in during summer times. Closed up during winter.
However, The Bowery struggled although it was a popular venue for skating, dancing, and concerts, they sold the building to the National Guard which turned into Armory but they abandoned it in 1927.
Good news was in 1952 that R. Keith Spencer bought it. He leased the building to Kay Randall, who turned it into the Logan Roller Rink that so many knew and loved. It was a rebooted of sort. Fans loved it that it returned after years of absent. The first run of Logan Roller Rink was in terrible shape because of rough kids at the rink.
(See the update below that fits in between here).
During the period, Logan Roller Rhapsodies were formed and displayed their shows on roller skates which was like Ice Follies did for ice skates. Different musical numbers to showcase professional skaters doing figure skating, ballroom dancing with spectators watched on from the sides of the rink and from balcony above the rink along the sides of the building.
The rink ran from 1952 till around 1995 and then the owner of the building, Mr. Spencer sold it in 2005 and died in 2013 followed by the rink owner-operator, Kay Randell in 2014. The decline was due to that shopping mall outside of the city hurt everyone even the roller rinks. Skate rats became mall rats. And skaters became shoppers in the mall (now its online).. It sat empty for years after the rink closed in 1990s and by 2009 someone bought it, renovated and improved inside as well as outside.
It ran as a haunted house for a time but they closed that too. It has been reported that the building is used for private events for friends and family of the new owner, as well as occasional meetings of the Logan Chinese Baptist Church. However, in 2014, it was used as a haunted house but they are gone. And now as wedding and parties venue. Beautiful place!
UPDATE! --
I received an email from the son of the Randalls that owned and operated the rink! Here is what he has to say --
Hello,
I’m Jim Randall, the son of Kay and Louise Randall who owned the Logan Roller Rink. Thanks for the information. I was looking for pictures of the rink and ran across your web page.
After dad had bought the business from Keith Spencer he found that the rink had a “bad reputation” and parents were reluctant to let their children come to skate. He did two things immediately. (1) replaced all the blue light bulbs with 150 white bulbs. (2) Had a dress code for all employees – shirts, ties slacks. No jeans! (3) Instituted a dress code for all patrons. No tank tops or jeans for men or women. Women were to wear slacks. As the business grew the regular female skaters wore “skating skirts.” These were skirts were fingertip length. They could be worn inside the rink, but never outdoors. That was a policy the national Roller Skating Rink Operators of America (RSROA) of which dad was a member.
Additionally, the rink had an inner door from the lobby into the rink. He instituted a “spectator fee” of 50 cents. This reduced the number of boys coming in to pick-up girls. Parents were never charged the fee. The rink eventually became a family friendly business and parents felt that their children were safe there. Dad prided himself on this reputation.
Later he changed the heating system from coal to natural gas and installed heavy insulation over the rink.
Thanks for the site and the photos.
Wow, Jim, your father clearly did work hard to repair the reputation as I thought so. When I did my research before your email, I saw how they said it was bad at first. Cleaned up and because of the RSROA rules. I am aware that RSROA was formed mainly to revive rinks and save them from troublemakers who would hang out at the rinks causing troubles. For roller rinks, they were successful in that and if you compare to two major Mid-Century popular activities at the time along with roller skating: the two different drive-ins- the theaters and the restaurants. They were failing faster than roller skating because they did not have the same uniformed rules to keep out troublemakers at the drive-in theaters and drive-in restaurants. This was according to Alan Hess, the author of several books on Drive-in Restaurants and Theaters and Philip Langdon, the author of Orange Roof, Golden Arches.
Here are more things he said..
Some more information on the Logan Roller Rink.
The floor. Dad always said the rink had two maple floors. It was one of the best skating surfaces around. He kept the floor in very good condition. He periodically sanded it (usually yearly) and then would put a special “plastic” floor coating on it to prevent wear. The coating was light green in color.
The floor layout was designed so you were always were skating with the grain of the wood. The pattern was built out from the center of a rectangle [We call that Log Cabin]. The pattern then round and round toward the outside walls.
The building had only a balcony at the north end. I assumed that was the bandstand in the early days. The way the building was built, there could not have other balconies. That balcony was Dad’s office and behind it was storage. One day was cleaning out space over the entryway to the rink and found a case of dynamite left from the armory days. There is a story to getting it out.
When Roller Rhapsodies took place, Dad built a five-row bleacher along west side of the rink. There three rows of folding chairs on the east side and four to five rows on the south with the entrance to the show using the south door. The skating surface was reduced to about 25 X 50 feet. Pretty small. [Yes, quite small!]
Pictures of a reception in the renovated building shows the maple floor is still there. I do not know what was under the two wood floors. The large gas furnaces above the rink floor were still there. I also noticed that the spotlight stands Dad built in the corners of the building for Roller Rhapsodies were in still in place, along with the carpeted walls around the rink and the wallpaper mother put on the walls between the windows. That carpet and wallpaper have been there a long time! Dad put the carpet on the walls to prevent skaters from getting wood splinters in their hands when they ran into the wains coated walls. Also, it served as a sound deadening treatment. The ceiling insulation, the carpeting on the walls, the carpeting in the foyer were all installed to help reduce the noise. As technology came along Dad upgraded the skate wheels from the “fiber” to wood to plastic wheels. He wanted people to have conversations and hear the music as they skated.
Well, this is more than you’ve probably wanted.
Hey thank you so much Jim Randall, to me and to others, that is real treasure, not gold material, but golden!
By 1985, there were still many more roller rinks than the Drive-in Theaters/Restaurants!
Sadly, with the rap music, the violence out there, the troubles at rinks returned but limited somewhat.
Thank you so much for your information Jim! Really helps!
Timeline-
Pre-1904: exchanged hands often on the land.
1904: Building built by Eric Lehi Olsen, sold to Thatcher Company Orchestra
June 1, 1904: "The Bowery" opens as dance, concerts, and roller skating amusement center.
1920s: Financial difficulties, sold to Utah National Guard, turned into Armory.
1927: National Guard abandoned the building. Sat empty till 1952. (25 years empty!)
1952: R. Keith Spencer bought the building. Spencer leased the building to Kay Randall, who started Logan Roller Rink. Kay Randall ran it well throughout 1950s and 1960s. But limping out by 1990s. Closed in 2005. Kay Randall sold it to Jerry Harris in 1990 who eventually closed it in 2005.
1952 to 1972: Roller Rhapsodies were performed.
1990: Kay Randell sold the rink business to his in Law, Jerry Harris to operate the rink but by 1998, it was not as popular anymore.
2005: R. Keith Spencer, the owner of the building, finally sold it in 2005. Building begins to decay due to no business in it. A doctor bought it and did little to the rink but did not do anything so he sold it in 2009.
2009: New owner bought it, put back on market in August 2009 quickly then in November 2009, Hillary Lin purchased the former rink.
2010s: now a private venue for family and friends and for Sundays, a Chinese Baptist Church meets there. it is owned by Hillary Lin, A Chinese-American who owns a manufacturing company and she said someday it will be reopened to the public with possibility of a roller rink again. Apparently did not last.
2010: Living Stone Property LLC. owned the property.
2014: Logan Skating Rink Haunted House. Short lived. Out of business.
The Interior.
It had two maple floors. It was one of the best skating surfaces around. The floor was in very good condition. Annually sanded it and then would put a special “plastic” (Epoxy) floor coating on it to prevent wear. The coating was light green in color. It was Log Cabin layout.
The breeze doors would be opened manually for breeze to cool hot interior during summer months for skaters or dancers.
It had balcony around the rink but newer times, just one end. The same end where the "stage" would be and it looked very fancy on that end. The renovated version only has that end but also Snow White color.
It is currently as a venue and it is beautiful inside. Please look at Kyle Ann Photography while it stays on there (She may change eventually!)
The wooden floor was removed. It is now all concrete floor.
The Exterior.
This quite unique antique style Gabled Wood-clad building that had many panels opened up for air. That time, they did not have air conditioning so they would open up for breeze of fresh air for hot skaters. It was white building with natural wood color on the panels. Yes, it has windows but panels only opened up during sessions in hot weather.
It sits in corner and I believe there is a marker on the corner regarding to the rink, I am not sure. It had red lettering, "SKATING" with neon light to light up at evenings. It was already broken and damaged when Mr. Spencer sold the rink. Today, it is painted all white. It is under the historical district and landmark.
The building had only a balcony at the north end. I assumed that was the bandstand in the early days. The way the building was built, there could not have other balconies. That balcony was Dad’s office and behind it was storage. One day was cleaning out space over the entryway to the rink and found a case of dynamite left from the armory days. There is a story to getting it out.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 31' x 50' (without benches), wall to wall. Floor: Light Green Polyurethane/ Epoxy Maple
Floor Layout: Log Cabin.
Building Size: 7,000 SF Built: 1904 Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free Span wood Truss wood-clad Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A
Operated: (overall): 1 June 1904 to August 2009)
The Bowery: 1 June 1904 to 1920s.
Logan Roller Rink: 1952 to 2005, 2005 to August 2009.
Reason for Closure:
"The Bowery": Struggling likely financially although successful-might be mismanagement.
Logan Roller Rink: Declining attendance due to shopping mall outside of city and stores closed up in the city. Parking was another issue that there were no parking lot. Just street parking. Competition from an ice rink and another roller rink. The new owner in 2005 did not seem to care to make effort so he sold it in 2009.
Wanted: Information regarding photos of interior, exterior, specific dates.
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Herald-Journal: September 18, 2009.
Bear River Heritage
Herald-Journal, Mar 6, 2005.
Herald-Journal: July 4, 2014.
Obituary- Kay Randell in the Herald-Journal.
Yelp,
Kyle Ann Photography (check the photos of the rink used as wedding reception!),
Herald-Journal: September 5, 2009.
Herald-Journal: November 25, 2001.
Email from the son of the Randall Couple who were the operators of the rink.
Date of Issue: 2020 Update; 21 and 23 November 2021.
For Office Only: 9.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3, 16.
That was the beginning. It was an amusement center or recreation where they played music and dances to it. It was a rink too. Image the band playing music while you skate? A rare fest you perhaps never saw it again in late 20th Century nor even 21st Century.
Since they had no air conditioning, they would open up panels on sides of windows on the side of the building. Both sides to let breeze in during summer times. Closed up during winter.
However, The Bowery struggled although it was a popular venue for skating, dancing, and concerts, they sold the building to the National Guard which turned into Armory but they abandoned it in 1927.
Good news was in 1952 that R. Keith Spencer bought it. He leased the building to Kay Randall, who turned it into the Logan Roller Rink that so many knew and loved. It was a rebooted of sort. Fans loved it that it returned after years of absent. The first run of Logan Roller Rink was in terrible shape because of rough kids at the rink.
(See the update below that fits in between here).
During the period, Logan Roller Rhapsodies were formed and displayed their shows on roller skates which was like Ice Follies did for ice skates. Different musical numbers to showcase professional skaters doing figure skating, ballroom dancing with spectators watched on from the sides of the rink and from balcony above the rink along the sides of the building.
The rink ran from 1952 till around 1995 and then the owner of the building, Mr. Spencer sold it in 2005 and died in 2013 followed by the rink owner-operator, Kay Randell in 2014. The decline was due to that shopping mall outside of the city hurt everyone even the roller rinks. Skate rats became mall rats. And skaters became shoppers in the mall (now its online).. It sat empty for years after the rink closed in 1990s and by 2009 someone bought it, renovated and improved inside as well as outside.
It ran as a haunted house for a time but they closed that too. It has been reported that the building is used for private events for friends and family of the new owner, as well as occasional meetings of the Logan Chinese Baptist Church. However, in 2014, it was used as a haunted house but they are gone. And now as wedding and parties venue. Beautiful place!
UPDATE! --
I received an email from the son of the Randalls that owned and operated the rink! Here is what he has to say --
Hello,
I’m Jim Randall, the son of Kay and Louise Randall who owned the Logan Roller Rink. Thanks for the information. I was looking for pictures of the rink and ran across your web page.
After dad had bought the business from Keith Spencer he found that the rink had a “bad reputation” and parents were reluctant to let their children come to skate. He did two things immediately. (1) replaced all the blue light bulbs with 150 white bulbs. (2) Had a dress code for all employees – shirts, ties slacks. No jeans! (3) Instituted a dress code for all patrons. No tank tops or jeans for men or women. Women were to wear slacks. As the business grew the regular female skaters wore “skating skirts.” These were skirts were fingertip length. They could be worn inside the rink, but never outdoors. That was a policy the national Roller Skating Rink Operators of America (RSROA) of which dad was a member.
Additionally, the rink had an inner door from the lobby into the rink. He instituted a “spectator fee” of 50 cents. This reduced the number of boys coming in to pick-up girls. Parents were never charged the fee. The rink eventually became a family friendly business and parents felt that their children were safe there. Dad prided himself on this reputation.
Later he changed the heating system from coal to natural gas and installed heavy insulation over the rink.
Thanks for the site and the photos.
Wow, Jim, your father clearly did work hard to repair the reputation as I thought so. When I did my research before your email, I saw how they said it was bad at first. Cleaned up and because of the RSROA rules. I am aware that RSROA was formed mainly to revive rinks and save them from troublemakers who would hang out at the rinks causing troubles. For roller rinks, they were successful in that and if you compare to two major Mid-Century popular activities at the time along with roller skating: the two different drive-ins- the theaters and the restaurants. They were failing faster than roller skating because they did not have the same uniformed rules to keep out troublemakers at the drive-in theaters and drive-in restaurants. This was according to Alan Hess, the author of several books on Drive-in Restaurants and Theaters and Philip Langdon, the author of Orange Roof, Golden Arches.
Here are more things he said..
Some more information on the Logan Roller Rink.
The floor. Dad always said the rink had two maple floors. It was one of the best skating surfaces around. He kept the floor in very good condition. He periodically sanded it (usually yearly) and then would put a special “plastic” floor coating on it to prevent wear. The coating was light green in color.
The floor layout was designed so you were always were skating with the grain of the wood. The pattern was built out from the center of a rectangle [We call that Log Cabin]. The pattern then round and round toward the outside walls.
The building had only a balcony at the north end. I assumed that was the bandstand in the early days. The way the building was built, there could not have other balconies. That balcony was Dad’s office and behind it was storage. One day was cleaning out space over the entryway to the rink and found a case of dynamite left from the armory days. There is a story to getting it out.
When Roller Rhapsodies took place, Dad built a five-row bleacher along west side of the rink. There three rows of folding chairs on the east side and four to five rows on the south with the entrance to the show using the south door. The skating surface was reduced to about 25 X 50 feet. Pretty small. [Yes, quite small!]
Pictures of a reception in the renovated building shows the maple floor is still there. I do not know what was under the two wood floors. The large gas furnaces above the rink floor were still there. I also noticed that the spotlight stands Dad built in the corners of the building for Roller Rhapsodies were in still in place, along with the carpeted walls around the rink and the wallpaper mother put on the walls between the windows. That carpet and wallpaper have been there a long time! Dad put the carpet on the walls to prevent skaters from getting wood splinters in their hands when they ran into the wains coated walls. Also, it served as a sound deadening treatment. The ceiling insulation, the carpeting on the walls, the carpeting in the foyer were all installed to help reduce the noise. As technology came along Dad upgraded the skate wheels from the “fiber” to wood to plastic wheels. He wanted people to have conversations and hear the music as they skated.
Well, this is more than you’ve probably wanted.
Hey thank you so much Jim Randall, to me and to others, that is real treasure, not gold material, but golden!
By 1985, there were still many more roller rinks than the Drive-in Theaters/Restaurants!
Sadly, with the rap music, the violence out there, the troubles at rinks returned but limited somewhat.
Thank you so much for your information Jim! Really helps!
Timeline-
Pre-1904: exchanged hands often on the land.
1904: Building built by Eric Lehi Olsen, sold to Thatcher Company Orchestra
June 1, 1904: "The Bowery" opens as dance, concerts, and roller skating amusement center.
1920s: Financial difficulties, sold to Utah National Guard, turned into Armory.
1927: National Guard abandoned the building. Sat empty till 1952. (25 years empty!)
1952: R. Keith Spencer bought the building. Spencer leased the building to Kay Randall, who started Logan Roller Rink. Kay Randall ran it well throughout 1950s and 1960s. But limping out by 1990s. Closed in 2005. Kay Randall sold it to Jerry Harris in 1990 who eventually closed it in 2005.
1952 to 1972: Roller Rhapsodies were performed.
1990: Kay Randell sold the rink business to his in Law, Jerry Harris to operate the rink but by 1998, it was not as popular anymore.
2005: R. Keith Spencer, the owner of the building, finally sold it in 2005. Building begins to decay due to no business in it. A doctor bought it and did little to the rink but did not do anything so he sold it in 2009.
2009: New owner bought it, put back on market in August 2009 quickly then in November 2009, Hillary Lin purchased the former rink.
2010s: now a private venue for family and friends and for Sundays, a Chinese Baptist Church meets there. it is owned by Hillary Lin, A Chinese-American who owns a manufacturing company and she said someday it will be reopened to the public with possibility of a roller rink again. Apparently did not last.
2010: Living Stone Property LLC. owned the property.
2014: Logan Skating Rink Haunted House. Short lived. Out of business.
The Interior.
It had two maple floors. It was one of the best skating surfaces around. The floor was in very good condition. Annually sanded it and then would put a special “plastic” (Epoxy) floor coating on it to prevent wear. The coating was light green in color. It was Log Cabin layout.
The breeze doors would be opened manually for breeze to cool hot interior during summer months for skaters or dancers.
It had balcony around the rink but newer times, just one end. The same end where the "stage" would be and it looked very fancy on that end. The renovated version only has that end but also Snow White color.
It is currently as a venue and it is beautiful inside. Please look at Kyle Ann Photography while it stays on there (She may change eventually!)
The wooden floor was removed. It is now all concrete floor.
The Exterior.
This quite unique antique style Gabled Wood-clad building that had many panels opened up for air. That time, they did not have air conditioning so they would open up for breeze of fresh air for hot skaters. It was white building with natural wood color on the panels. Yes, it has windows but panels only opened up during sessions in hot weather.
It sits in corner and I believe there is a marker on the corner regarding to the rink, I am not sure. It had red lettering, "SKATING" with neon light to light up at evenings. It was already broken and damaged when Mr. Spencer sold the rink. Today, it is painted all white. It is under the historical district and landmark.
The building had only a balcony at the north end. I assumed that was the bandstand in the early days. The way the building was built, there could not have other balconies. That balcony was Dad’s office and behind it was storage. One day was cleaning out space over the entryway to the rink and found a case of dynamite left from the armory days. There is a story to getting it out.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 31' x 50' (without benches), wall to wall. Floor: Light Green Polyurethane/ Epoxy Maple
Floor Layout: Log Cabin.
Building Size: 7,000 SF Built: 1904 Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free Span wood Truss wood-clad Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A
Operated: (overall): 1 June 1904 to August 2009)
The Bowery: 1 June 1904 to 1920s.
Logan Roller Rink: 1952 to 2005, 2005 to August 2009.
Reason for Closure:
"The Bowery": Struggling likely financially although successful-might be mismanagement.
Logan Roller Rink: Declining attendance due to shopping mall outside of city and stores closed up in the city. Parking was another issue that there were no parking lot. Just street parking. Competition from an ice rink and another roller rink. The new owner in 2005 did not seem to care to make effort so he sold it in 2009.
Wanted: Information regarding photos of interior, exterior, specific dates.
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Herald-Journal: September 18, 2009.
Bear River Heritage
Herald-Journal, Mar 6, 2005.
Herald-Journal: July 4, 2014.
Obituary- Kay Randell in the Herald-Journal.
Yelp,
Kyle Ann Photography (check the photos of the rink used as wedding reception!),
Herald-Journal: September 5, 2009.
Herald-Journal: November 25, 2001.
Email from the son of the Randall Couple who were the operators of the rink.
Date of Issue: 2020 Update; 21 and 23 November 2021.
For Office Only: 9.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3, 16.