True appearance in 1930s, not Art Deco, that was later. The appearance was more of basic Art Nouveau appearance. All Bricks. And the signs. Yes, several signs and close to each other basically the same idea. But the two white background signs were painted signs while the black metal shaped sign was a neon light sign. Note a nice sedan of very late 1920s or early 1930s parked by the rink. Huge canopy up front that it first I thought it might have been a gas station of yesteryear. But no, it was not. And huge industrial style windows.
Courtesy of Mass Live. Close up of closed Rialto rink Beautiful Art Deco was fading The holes looks like some one was shooting gun at it. Terrible!
Billboard, July 4, 1942. Page 52. Leo Doyle was looking for a new organist to play music. State the lowest salary? Is that against the law today to say that?
Billboard, April 28, 1945. Page 48, final column. Apparently Leo was still looking for an organist! I know why, He advertised first in 1942 which was the already middle of World War II and Americans were fighting overseas and in seas elsewhere so shortage occurred when there is a crisis (sound familiar? Yeah, you can say COVID if you want to). This ad was much better designed to grasp attention from potential candidates since Billboard magazine was THE magazine every one read - both insiders, and customers. Also Leo toned down and not said about asking for lowest pay which I think is illegal to say that.
Billboard September 14, 1946, September 14, 1946. Page 84, 3rd column. Of course the article did mentioned Webster Square Arena but look down the article to the final paragraph and you will see Doyle was talking about the Rialto rink.
Billboard, October 16, 1948, page 79, 2nd column, bottom. it was talking about hockey team but also noted that Vera bought the rink already that year.
Billboard, July 4, 1953, page 62, 2nd column. Was looking for an experienced skate mechanic but also an organist. State age? Wow, those ads were sure in different times that it is illegal to do so. Some countries still do (I can say one example-- the Philippines still discriminate that you cannot be over age 30 for most positions). Apparently they were having trouble keeping someone to play the organ!
Billboard, November 9, 1959, Page 61, 4th Column. Free skating! Wowwie! Aww, I missed by many decades! Before I was born! Dang! Oh well, cest la vie.
Stickers and complimentary passes (free skating!) Sorry that coupon has long since expired.
Rialto Roller Rink 82 Walnut St., Springfield, MA aka
Rialto Roller Skating Rink 82 Walnut St., Springfield, MA
Rialto Roller Skating Rink 82 Walnut St., Springfield, MA
Rialto Roller Rink was a favorite rink for the area and a celebrity who came from the area where he grew up before became well known boxer in the 1960s and 1970s. He even went to the rink that was on 82 Walnut Street in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The two Leos-- Leo Doyle and Leo Deutelbaum were partners owning the Rialto Roller Rink from the start in 1930s. Specific date is unknown. But the architecture featuring Art Deco was pretty much marked that the period in 1920s-30s were the norm for Art Deco as Mid-Century from 1945 to 1965, etc.
As for Leo.. I meant Leo Doyle sold off all other rinks he owned for a reason including the Rialto. He was one strange one. Leo and Leo both eventually sold the rink in 1948 to the rink manager, Vera Zytkiewicz who bought the rink and operated and managed her own rink till her death on July 11, 1994 at the age of 87, but were forced to shut down because of a contested estate in 1996. But I believe the rink could have been closed in 1994 when Vera passed away. So, I am giving the 1996 as the date the estate sold the property which truly ended the skating rink business for once.
The court favored the estate to Vera's children which in turn they sold the rink to pay legal expenses and equal distribution of the estate.
They had organ music at the rink. They used a Hammond Organ.
Currently it is a Senior living community complex. Oh, I see on Google Map. Why have it there if the cemetery is in the back? (shaking head). I really feel bad for the seniors.
The Interior.
N/A. No known photograph of the interior.
The Exterior.
The building originally was a very simple Art Nouveau appearance with 2 huge white signs with the name of the rink and what it was. Plus a huge black background vertical sign with the name RIALTO on it and would light up with neon lights. It was later a Free-Span Steel Truss Art Deco façade Cinderblocks-Walled Theater - like Building. It was very much of true Art Deco themed building with the new sign. It did make it appeared like a classic stage/movie theater with Mid-Art deco Era design. White and Red were the theme colors to reflex the appearance. I wonder what sign the Senior community is going to use. The 1930s or the later version?
There was a house next to it which apparently was part of the owner who owned the rink.
It was demolished in 1996/97 to make way for new apartment complex for seniors. I think it was the same complex that would have some posters and a replica sign of the rink in the apartment building.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: 1996/7. Make way for new senior apartment complex.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Art Deco Cinderblocks-Walled Theater - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1930s to 1994/1996.
Reason for Closure: Dispute over the will of former owner Vera Zytkiewicz was resolved in favor of her children. They sold the Rialto and its adjacent apartment house. Apparently they had to sell to split the share of the estate. which is the possibility in my opinion.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/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: Mass Live - Places We Miss...; Mass Live - revival through memories by saving pieces of past into senior living center; Locate Ancestors - Vera Zytkiewicz; Billboard, July 4, 1942. Page 52, 2nd column - Hammond Organist wanted ad; Billboard, April 28, 1945. Page 48, final column; Billboard September 14, 1946, September 14, 1946. Page 84, 3rd column; Billboard, October 16, 1948, page 79, 2nd column, bottom; Billboard, July 4, 1953, page 62, 2nd column;
Date of issue: 22 January 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
The two Leos-- Leo Doyle and Leo Deutelbaum were partners owning the Rialto Roller Rink from the start in 1930s. Specific date is unknown. But the architecture featuring Art Deco was pretty much marked that the period in 1920s-30s were the norm for Art Deco as Mid-Century from 1945 to 1965, etc.
As for Leo.. I meant Leo Doyle sold off all other rinks he owned for a reason including the Rialto. He was one strange one. Leo and Leo both eventually sold the rink in 1948 to the rink manager, Vera Zytkiewicz who bought the rink and operated and managed her own rink till her death on July 11, 1994 at the age of 87, but were forced to shut down because of a contested estate in 1996. But I believe the rink could have been closed in 1994 when Vera passed away. So, I am giving the 1996 as the date the estate sold the property which truly ended the skating rink business for once.
The court favored the estate to Vera's children which in turn they sold the rink to pay legal expenses and equal distribution of the estate.
They had organ music at the rink. They used a Hammond Organ.
Currently it is a Senior living community complex. Oh, I see on Google Map. Why have it there if the cemetery is in the back? (shaking head). I really feel bad for the seniors.
The Interior.
N/A. No known photograph of the interior.
The Exterior.
The building originally was a very simple Art Nouveau appearance with 2 huge white signs with the name of the rink and what it was. Plus a huge black background vertical sign with the name RIALTO on it and would light up with neon lights. It was later a Free-Span Steel Truss Art Deco façade Cinderblocks-Walled Theater - like Building. It was very much of true Art Deco themed building with the new sign. It did make it appeared like a classic stage/movie theater with Mid-Art deco Era design. White and Red were the theme colors to reflex the appearance. I wonder what sign the Senior community is going to use. The 1930s or the later version?
There was a house next to it which apparently was part of the owner who owned the rink.
It was demolished in 1996/97 to make way for new apartment complex for seniors. I think it was the same complex that would have some posters and a replica sign of the rink in the apartment building.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: 1996/7. Make way for new senior apartment complex.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Art Deco Cinderblocks-Walled Theater - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1930s to 1994/1996.
Reason for Closure: Dispute over the will of former owner Vera Zytkiewicz was resolved in favor of her children. They sold the Rialto and its adjacent apartment house. Apparently they had to sell to split the share of the estate. which is the possibility in my opinion.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/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: Mass Live - Places We Miss...; Mass Live - revival through memories by saving pieces of past into senior living center; Locate Ancestors - Vera Zytkiewicz; Billboard, July 4, 1942. Page 52, 2nd column - Hammond Organist wanted ad; Billboard, April 28, 1945. Page 48, final column; Billboard September 14, 1946, September 14, 1946. Page 84, 3rd column; Billboard, October 16, 1948, page 79, 2nd column, bottom; Billboard, July 4, 1953, page 62, 2nd column;
Date of issue: 22 January 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.