Puyallup Roller Rink 200 East Main Street, Puyallup, WA. It was on the second floor where the rink was operational above the showroom and service department. They said this was a promotional photograph of the dealership and rink when the new Rambler Ambassador model. Taken in 1958. Source: Tacoma Public Library, Richard Studios.
Puyallup Roller Rink 200 East Main Street, Puyallup, WA. It was on the second floor where the rink was operational above the showroom and service department. They said this was a promotional photograph of the dealership and rink when the new Rambler Ambassador model. Taken in 1958. Source: Tacoma Public Library, Richard Studios.
Puyallup Roller Rink 200 East Main Street, Puyallup, WA
Puyallup Roller Rink was a roller rink above a car dealership showroom and services at 200 East Main Street, Puyallup, Washington. It is Southeast of Tacoma, WA. Yes, Toyota named after that town for their pickup truck. This is quite a very unusual. I think this is the first I ever heard of a car dealership that was still in operational was operating the skating rink. They had two businesses that have something in common. Wheels! During the day, it was the Gifford Motors of Puyallup selling new and used automobiles as the evening came along, they opened the rink for skaters to skate upstairs above the showroom.
Later, W.H. Gifford sold the dealership and the rink to Bob Larson in 1963. But two years later, in 1965, the fire destroyed the building.
The operators were W.H. Gifford who also owned and operated the dealership. Later, it was Bob Larson who also owned the dealership who bought it from W.H. Gifford.
Rambler and Hudson eventually merged and it became American Motors along with the Jeep. Then that company merged with Chrysler Corporation and now just the Jeep brand is made when the company was sold and folded the AMC and Eagle brands. Darn it! I love when they were truly unique because no other brands would dare to be made like that. Gremlin, anyone? Javlin? The 49 Hudson? And more. Sad today all are look alike. Not good. Only Jeep has a model that truly stands out and so are the Mustang (sports car, not that e-SUV they named it! Ford! Rename that as Stallion! Not Mustang! ****!)
I do not have a date of opening but I have the year of when it closed because of a fire that destroyed the building.
The Interior.
No photo are available but from that era and being on second floor, for sure it was Maple wood floor. It may have taken up most of the spot upstairs and had all windowed around all walls to allow lights in. Since they only open at night, apparently they used for vents to cool inside and to enjoy outdoors lights in. Kind of like "stealing the spotlights and disco lights from outside inside." kind of thing. I do not know where the stairs were. Perhaps it was in front where the showroom was. So, when patrons come in, they see the newest models in showroom as they walked up stairs or downstairs. If that was true, that was a good genius marketing because skaters usually dream of owning a car. And when they do, not much they would return back to the rink. That concept is true today.
The Exterior.
It was a two story building designed as an automotive dealership with show room on ground floor and in rear part, the service department where they repairs cars. The rink was on second floor. The evidences was clearly seen with many casing windows around the building. On all 4 walls.
Also the sign with big word, RINK was set on the roof for skaters to come skating that evening. Likely opened each night.
It was a Hip roof design. Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks and Wood-Walled Dealership two story Building. Only the ground floor it was Cinderblocks and the rink/second floor was wood/stick built but I am not sure about trusses. Steel or wood. Good question. Anyone has photos of interior or anymore information? Please let me know.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: Fire in 1965..
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks and Wood-Walled Dealership two story Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- N/A to 1965.
Reason for Closure: Fire destroyed
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources:
The Old Motor - About Gifford Motors and the skating rink.
Hudson Dealership - About Gifford Motors and little bit about the rink.
Tacoma Public Library - Digital collections.
Date of issue: 14 June 2021. Update:
For office use only: 2 p.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
Later, W.H. Gifford sold the dealership and the rink to Bob Larson in 1963. But two years later, in 1965, the fire destroyed the building.
The operators were W.H. Gifford who also owned and operated the dealership. Later, it was Bob Larson who also owned the dealership who bought it from W.H. Gifford.
Rambler and Hudson eventually merged and it became American Motors along with the Jeep. Then that company merged with Chrysler Corporation and now just the Jeep brand is made when the company was sold and folded the AMC and Eagle brands. Darn it! I love when they were truly unique because no other brands would dare to be made like that. Gremlin, anyone? Javlin? The 49 Hudson? And more. Sad today all are look alike. Not good. Only Jeep has a model that truly stands out and so are the Mustang (sports car, not that e-SUV they named it! Ford! Rename that as Stallion! Not Mustang! ****!)
I do not have a date of opening but I have the year of when it closed because of a fire that destroyed the building.
The Interior.
No photo are available but from that era and being on second floor, for sure it was Maple wood floor. It may have taken up most of the spot upstairs and had all windowed around all walls to allow lights in. Since they only open at night, apparently they used for vents to cool inside and to enjoy outdoors lights in. Kind of like "stealing the spotlights and disco lights from outside inside." kind of thing. I do not know where the stairs were. Perhaps it was in front where the showroom was. So, when patrons come in, they see the newest models in showroom as they walked up stairs or downstairs. If that was true, that was a good genius marketing because skaters usually dream of owning a car. And when they do, not much they would return back to the rink. That concept is true today.
The Exterior.
It was a two story building designed as an automotive dealership with show room on ground floor and in rear part, the service department where they repairs cars. The rink was on second floor. The evidences was clearly seen with many casing windows around the building. On all 4 walls.
Also the sign with big word, RINK was set on the roof for skaters to come skating that evening. Likely opened each night.
It was a Hip roof design. Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks and Wood-Walled Dealership two story Building. Only the ground floor it was Cinderblocks and the rink/second floor was wood/stick built but I am not sure about trusses. Steel or wood. Good question. Anyone has photos of interior or anymore information? Please let me know.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: Fire in 1965..
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks and Wood-Walled Dealership two story Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- N/A to 1965.
Reason for Closure: Fire destroyed
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources:
The Old Motor - About Gifford Motors and the skating rink.
Hudson Dealership - About Gifford Motors and little bit about the rink.
Tacoma Public Library - Digital collections.
Date of issue: 14 June 2021. Update:
For office use only: 2 p.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.