Mark's Roller Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. Article from Billboard 1956. The fire occurred on September 26, 1956. The cost perhaps included the rink, building, and equipment including rentals, snack bar equipment, seating, etc. Source: Billboard 1956. (Update: This was the first fire, the most recent was truly destroyed on Saturday 4 September 2021).
Mark's Roller Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. This was the crowning of a king skater of the year. How neat those people dressed! Today, come on! Please dress for success! And to impress! This looked like was taken in late 1960s due to the texture of color photograph and what they wore at the time. Source: Mark Staples' family.
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. Very informative article! Appeared to be from the 1980s. Source: Article- Daily Herald. Article owner courtesy of Terry Schnirring on Facebook group Past Skaters from Brownsdale Roller Rink.
Mark's Roller Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. Source: Austin (MN) Herald, Saturday September 28, 1957-after the fire in 1956. (Note, this was the first fire, not the 2021's fire).
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. Photo courtesy of Rohler Rink/The Way Marketing. This showed what the facility is like throughout the years. This appeared to be around 2010s as Rohler Rink. You can see how long that building is! Just 50 feet wide for the rink where the Blue-and-White striped roof section is.
One another thing, you noticed how many parking space they have? Most skaters and parents have parked on the streets being this rink on a corner which helped to get more people to park on. Image that in wintertime?
One another thing, you noticed how many parking space they have? Most skaters and parents have parked on the streets being this rink on a corner which helped to get more people to park on. Image that in wintertime?
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. It showed how the interior looked after the remodel. Likely in late 1970s because of the look and style back the day. Color disco lights were introduced at the time too. Source: Rohler Rink (gallery section on old webstie is gone).
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. Some of the hot Roller Girls. Hey ladies, you can cry on my shoulder now that your favorite rink burned down. I feel ya. Source: Rohler Rink (gallery section on old webstie is gone).
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. The Big Fire on 04-05 September 2021 destroyed the beloved local rink. Source: Bring me the news.
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. The Big Fire on 04-05 September 2021 destroyed the beloved local rink. Source: Fox 9.
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. After the big fire. Big loss! Real sad. Minnesota lost two major rinks within 4 months. This one and Roller Gardens. Source: Fox 9.
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN. It was a very basic website, about page. Source: Rohler Rink website, about page.
Mark’s Roller Rink 316 Market St SE, Brownsdale, MN
Del's Roller Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN
United Skates of Rollerblading Center 316 Market Street SE Brownsdale, MN
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN
***BURNED DOWN 11PM SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2021***
Del's Roller Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN
United Skates of Rollerblading Center 316 Market Street SE Brownsdale, MN
Rohler Rink 316 Market Street SE, Brownsdale, MN
***BURNED DOWN 11PM SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2021***
Mark Staples first constructed and opened his namesake roller rink, Mark's Roller Rink in Brownsdale, MN. It was a very friendly good rink since he opened in 1955 (Newspaper error said 1947). However, the following year (1956), it was burned down but quickly rebuilt and reopened again which lasted ever since. It is already over 60 years old building still housing skating rink.
This rink houses a rink that is 216 feet long by 50 feet wide! But in 1956 according to an article, it said expansion to 270 feet long! Width the same at 50 feet. That is quite narrow and long. The square footage is quite close because of the loss of 30 feet wide and gained 16 feet long. That would be a loss of 6,000 SF on the side (based on 80 feet by 200 feet normal rink) but gained original 70 feet longer which amount only 3,500 SF. That means of a loss of only 2.500 SF. But was reduced to 216 feet which reduced to only gaining 800 square feet. Still a loss though.
Based on old photographs, the floor looked dark. It may have been Tempered Masonite, a type of wood platform that is designed to be tough, high-density product with strength and resistance to impact (by roller skates and skaters themselves fallen to the floor) and water absorption which includes sweating and leakages from the roof. It is like a dry wall sheet size piece of wood.
It is a rare floor product used at rinks.
It became Del's Roller Rink when Mark sold it to his son, Delmer in the year 1970 but in 1976, during the American Bicentennial Celebration, the business changed hands again and became known as the United Skates of Rollerblading Center before the Rohler family bought it and become Rohler Rink.
Annually Mark would have a King and Queen contest. All skaters would required to dress up in suits and dresses. Yes, the whole work like you are going to church or the prom. This was a prom-like event where they would have as part of a big event, when skaters come in, they receive a number. Perhaps on their backs of the suit jacket and for women, dresses and the judges were judging how they dressed, manners, good morals, and the judges were local celebrities and newscasters.
The interior was two parts: one was very long narrow part of the Gable-roof building the skating rink even right up to the three walls, both sides and rear. Also it was supported by wood trusses that it even had posts on the roller rink. For sure roller hockey was not able to do so because of the posts. the front part of the rink was for bathrooms, snack bar, eating area, and rentals. It was a Combination Roof--that is it is like Gable with skirts on each side. Different pitch of roof. That part of the building is wider than the rink section of the building. You can tell the difference on the map photo I am displaying above. It showed all Silver roof for the Combination Roof section of the building for other uses as the rink had Gable multi-colors making a Circus pattern stripes on the roof.
The ceiling from the 1950s to likely 1970s were exposed ceilings then after that, it was lowered and flattened with foam board panel ceilings. It made the spacious rink bit sqant. The walls back then were showing exposed side posts inside. It appeared to have windows according to that one photo but it was difficult to see that because of people standing in the way (see photo above).
The remodel also included real wood wall panels. Not the sheets one mind you. This was a tongue and groove wainscoting on the wall which still stands at the rink.
The later years with the panel ceilings, the walls covered up the windows and interior walls. Perhaps for insulation and noise control as you have to recall that the rink was in residental neighborhood as you can see on Google Map.
In May of 2006, the current owners of Rohler Rink resurfaced entire floor with Tempered Masonite. But Rohler Rink according to another article and in Craigslist, it is up for sale as of February 2018. Did it get sold? It is no longer on Craigslist. I checked!
UPDATE! --
D.R. just emailed me recently about an hour ago that this rink burned down at 11 pm on Saturday September 4th, 2021. There are numerous of articles stating about the big fire truly destroyed the rink to ashes. This is another sad rink burned this year. So far, I know of 3 rinks burned down this year (2021) and 2 collapsed and done. That is too many.
Brett and Rhonda Rohl bought the rink around 2007. Then they put up it for sale due to their kids being adults and their wanting to retire. (Looks like children did not want to take over family operations).
There is a YouTube video is excellent description of the rink and how it is like when you come in to skate.
Rink Size: 50' X 270' (later reduced to 50' X 216') Floor: Original- N/A but in 2006, Tempered Masonite
Floor Layout: Original-plain but after 2006, plain also.
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A Demolished: 1956 (Original cause by fire); 11pm Saturday 04 September 2021 by fire.
Type of Building: Wood Span with posts steel walled Building
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A
Operated:
Mark's Roller Rink: 1955 to September 26, 1956, rebuilt quickly in Sept. 28, '56 to 1970
Del's Roller Rink: 1970 to 1976
Rohler Rink: 1976 to 11pm Saturday 04 September 2021.
Reason for Closure:
Mark's Roller Rink: Wanted to slow down toward retirement and sold to son, Delmar who changed name.
Del's Roller Rink: Sold for some unknown reason
Rohler Rink: ***UPDATE - Brett and Rhonda Rohl put up for sale due to their kids being adults and the couple wanted to retire. BUT on 4 September 2021, the roller rink burned down in a massive fire.
Wanted: Information regarding more photos of Mark's and Del's interior and exterior. Exact dates for all rinks when first opened and closed.
Sources: Austin Daily Journal (newspaper)
MPR NewsCut - Rohler Rink
Post Bulletin - Rohler Rink for sale.
The two articles regarding the Rohler Rink's fate stated in 2018.
The Way Marketing.
Marshall Independent - up for sale.
Rohler Rink - website (PDF)
The Massive Fire Sources:
MSN - About the fire. PDF version.
KIMT 3 - 2 firefighters injured in the rink fire. PDF version.
KAAL TV 6 News - People remembered the rink. cc PDF version.
KTTC - Reports about the fire and the injuries. Partial cc. PDF version.
© Copyrighted by Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3, 16.
This rink houses a rink that is 216 feet long by 50 feet wide! But in 1956 according to an article, it said expansion to 270 feet long! Width the same at 50 feet. That is quite narrow and long. The square footage is quite close because of the loss of 30 feet wide and gained 16 feet long. That would be a loss of 6,000 SF on the side (based on 80 feet by 200 feet normal rink) but gained original 70 feet longer which amount only 3,500 SF. That means of a loss of only 2.500 SF. But was reduced to 216 feet which reduced to only gaining 800 square feet. Still a loss though.
Based on old photographs, the floor looked dark. It may have been Tempered Masonite, a type of wood platform that is designed to be tough, high-density product with strength and resistance to impact (by roller skates and skaters themselves fallen to the floor) and water absorption which includes sweating and leakages from the roof. It is like a dry wall sheet size piece of wood.
It is a rare floor product used at rinks.
It became Del's Roller Rink when Mark sold it to his son, Delmer in the year 1970 but in 1976, during the American Bicentennial Celebration, the business changed hands again and became known as the United Skates of Rollerblading Center before the Rohler family bought it and become Rohler Rink.
Annually Mark would have a King and Queen contest. All skaters would required to dress up in suits and dresses. Yes, the whole work like you are going to church or the prom. This was a prom-like event where they would have as part of a big event, when skaters come in, they receive a number. Perhaps on their backs of the suit jacket and for women, dresses and the judges were judging how they dressed, manners, good morals, and the judges were local celebrities and newscasters.
The interior was two parts: one was very long narrow part of the Gable-roof building the skating rink even right up to the three walls, both sides and rear. Also it was supported by wood trusses that it even had posts on the roller rink. For sure roller hockey was not able to do so because of the posts. the front part of the rink was for bathrooms, snack bar, eating area, and rentals. It was a Combination Roof--that is it is like Gable with skirts on each side. Different pitch of roof. That part of the building is wider than the rink section of the building. You can tell the difference on the map photo I am displaying above. It showed all Silver roof for the Combination Roof section of the building for other uses as the rink had Gable multi-colors making a Circus pattern stripes on the roof.
The ceiling from the 1950s to likely 1970s were exposed ceilings then after that, it was lowered and flattened with foam board panel ceilings. It made the spacious rink bit sqant. The walls back then were showing exposed side posts inside. It appeared to have windows according to that one photo but it was difficult to see that because of people standing in the way (see photo above).
The remodel also included real wood wall panels. Not the sheets one mind you. This was a tongue and groove wainscoting on the wall which still stands at the rink.
The later years with the panel ceilings, the walls covered up the windows and interior walls. Perhaps for insulation and noise control as you have to recall that the rink was in residental neighborhood as you can see on Google Map.
In May of 2006, the current owners of Rohler Rink resurfaced entire floor with Tempered Masonite. But Rohler Rink according to another article and in Craigslist, it is up for sale as of February 2018. Did it get sold? It is no longer on Craigslist. I checked!
UPDATE! --
D.R. just emailed me recently about an hour ago that this rink burned down at 11 pm on Saturday September 4th, 2021. There are numerous of articles stating about the big fire truly destroyed the rink to ashes. This is another sad rink burned this year. So far, I know of 3 rinks burned down this year (2021) and 2 collapsed and done. That is too many.
Brett and Rhonda Rohl bought the rink around 2007. Then they put up it for sale due to their kids being adults and their wanting to retire. (Looks like children did not want to take over family operations).
There is a YouTube video is excellent description of the rink and how it is like when you come in to skate.
Rink Size: 50' X 270' (later reduced to 50' X 216') Floor: Original- N/A but in 2006, Tempered Masonite
Floor Layout: Original-plain but after 2006, plain also.
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A Demolished: 1956 (Original cause by fire); 11pm Saturday 04 September 2021 by fire.
Type of Building: Wood Span with posts steel walled Building
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A
Operated:
Mark's Roller Rink: 1955 to September 26, 1956, rebuilt quickly in Sept. 28, '56 to 1970
Del's Roller Rink: 1970 to 1976
Rohler Rink: 1976 to 11pm Saturday 04 September 2021.
Reason for Closure:
Mark's Roller Rink: Wanted to slow down toward retirement and sold to son, Delmar who changed name.
Del's Roller Rink: Sold for some unknown reason
Rohler Rink: ***UPDATE - Brett and Rhonda Rohl put up for sale due to their kids being adults and the couple wanted to retire. BUT on 4 September 2021, the roller rink burned down in a massive fire.
Wanted: Information regarding more photos of Mark's and Del's interior and exterior. Exact dates for all rinks when first opened and closed.
Sources: Austin Daily Journal (newspaper)
MPR NewsCut - Rohler Rink
Post Bulletin - Rohler Rink for sale.
The two articles regarding the Rohler Rink's fate stated in 2018.
The Way Marketing.
Marshall Independent - up for sale.
Rohler Rink - website (PDF)
The Massive Fire Sources:
MSN - About the fire. PDF version.
KIMT 3 - 2 firefighters injured in the rink fire. PDF version.
KAAL TV 6 News - People remembered the rink. cc PDF version.
KTTC - Reports about the fire and the injuries. Partial cc. PDF version.
© Copyrighted by Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3, 16.