Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. This was taken in c. 2012 because of the Salmon color painted on the Mansard and the emergency exit doors. Courtesy of Loop Net.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Updated version, Not Salmon colored! More of Sand color. Courtesy of Loop Net.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. This was likely 2nd version because they added another character on the window. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. This was before all the murals of your favorite toons were painted on the wall. Colors tend to feel April-ish - Easter colors. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts. (Sorry photo is in poor quality. Taken from Facebook, and it was about 10 yeas old photo. Back then photographs were small sized online and I had to chop off the photo to cut off 4 teenage girls who were sitting up front facing the camera from the photo to protect their identification and by law.)
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. More games! Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. From the previouos photo, this is to the right, you see from left to right: DJ Booth, Pro-Shop, Game Prize Store. Foreground is the nice Billiard Table and 1970s style Brick rail. Love it! Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Then pan to the right, prize store, Skate Rental in background, Concession Stand and Party Area to the right in background with a Graffiti style mural. Not a fan of Graffiti. Graffiti usually invite trouble makers. Maybe is that why the problems at the rink? Who knows. But beautiful art work though. Still, should NOT be at rinks at all. Speaking of it.. I love those cute little Fast Food tables and stools style. However, the tabletop looks way small! Really small! Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. As I said about the Graffiti. This is close up view of the Party Area. Police yellow tape? Did anything bad happened there? A murder? Perhaps you thought too. I think it is to cut off skaters from sitting down or from occupying the area because of reserved parties used the space. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. More of those tiny tables and stools. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Hey Snoopy, hats off inside! Heehee. The Peanuts is shown. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. More mascots and toons are shown. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Can you spot more toons you like? Who are they? Haha. Wow, beautiful floor. You can see it is framed around the edge especially it is Rotunda on the edge by the rail you can see. But the main floor is basically Straight cut Log Cabin. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Beautiful art work! I see the Starburst light is on the wall. Another rink or two had similar layout even with the "Sunrise" lights on it as well. Very similar. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. There, you can see how nice it was. I wish the ceiling lights were off to show how brilliant it was. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Recently they had those inflatable bounce houses blocking beautiful back wall that I like. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Beautiful lights. Last call. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. This was in August 2023. Real sad it was sold. Will it be a rink or something else? Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. This was in 1980. They were having a skate sale Saturday, 09 August 1980 in order to attract skaters to come to Roller Land Skating Rink that August. Likely they opened that month. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Advertised in 1980. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC. Courtesy of Skateland of Gaffney / The Bennetts.
Roller Land 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC
Rollerland 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC
Rollerland 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC
Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Ave, Gaffney, SC
>>>CLOSED PERMANENTLY 14 AUGUST 2023!<<<
First, it was Roller Land then it was sold to the owners who changed the name to Skateland of Gaffney 102 Ellis Ferry Avenue in Gaffney, South Carolina. Lately in my watch on roller rinks, 3 rinks in the same state closed within a year apart. First was Music in Motion, then the other up for sale which is Three Fountain in West Columbia (still open!) which is still up for sale, and now this one. South Carolina where I resides is losing rinks as this is one of the top three states most new relocated Americans living in this state behind Florida and Texas. What is happening to rinks in South Carolina!?
Skateland of Gaffney closed permanently as of 14 August 2023 according to their Facebook page. It is sad day for skaters in the highlands area.
It all began with Roller Land, also spelled as Rollerland. It was Lionel Trexler who started the rink in 1980. I do not know what day and month. But he operated briefly until mid-1980s when Tony (last name unknown) took over but in 1986, it was Frankie and Donna took over. Same I do not know their last name. But Frankie and Donna operated Rollerland longer than the first two operators. They ran until 2003. That means 17 years. Then in October 2003, the skating rink was renamed as Skateland of Gaffney and opened that month. I saw the logo which IS the official logo for a chain of Skatelands out in Midwest. Was this a chain? I have to ask the current owners who sold it.. The Bennett. Andy and Hope.
I do not know what the fate will be for the building.
Since it was announced today on my alert, which was two days too late.. Yelp has not even caught up and my competitor either. We are FIRST.
The Interior.
Roller Land: I do not know what the interior was like when it was opened in 1980 but I can tell you the roller rink floor was Non-colored Polyurethane coated Hardwood Maple wood floor with Framed Stadium / Capsule shaped Straight Cut Log Cabin. Old Black and White photos showed it appeared to be White background but I am not sure if that is true due to the lightness of whiteness in those monochromic photos back then.
I LOVE those BRICKSSS! They had that unique 1970s Brick half walls. Very similar to you seen the picture I have elsewhere on Rink-History that it was the Bonaventure roller rink in Michigan. Some rinks had exposed natural Red Bricks as it was the style at the time. Can you find more on Rink-History? Sure you can! There are a few left.
Rollerland: Ibid.
Skateland of Gaffney: Same floor it was Roller Land / Rollerland. However, the walls were all painted each section like many roller rinks did in later 2000s and early 2010s. One color block each section between the Steel posts on the wall to Steel posts. I saw that in a couple of photos with children in it so I could not use that to show you the difference.
But later, they added many of your favorite cartoon characters on the walls including Peanuts, Looney Tunes and more. Kind of reminded me of Roger Rabbit movie that most of the cartoon characters from major studios were on that movie. The same with this rink. They will be missed!
Guess what? Those Red Bricks rails are still there by the time they closed the rink on 14 August 2023.
The Bennetts cited one of the reasons for the decision being the increased issues in running a business-- "uncontrollable behavior" by this generation of teenagers and "lack of responsibility" taken by parents.
The Exterior.
Roller Land: I am not sure what the exterior was like as I am referring to color(s) for the Mansard Roof but Red Bricks were seen. This appearance reminded me of another rink that was in New Jersey. It was an America On Wheel Rink.
Rollerland: Ibid.
Skateland of Gaffney: They may had a different color in 2005 when they bought the rink for their Mansard Roof. However, they painted their doors and roof in Salmon in 2012 then the following year or two, sort of Sand color which they kept till 2023.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-colored Polyurethane coated, Maple. Floor Layout: Framed Stadium capsule Straight Cut Log Cabin.
Building Size: 20,250 SF. Built: Appeared to be 1970s style, maybe 1960s. Renovations: 2005 Demolished: Still standing (as of 16 August 2023).
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Bricks and Cinderblocks - Walled 1970s style Arena - like Building.
Roof: Flatted with front Mansard style.
Acres: 2.4700 / 2.7500 (2 Loop Net ads listed two different sizes!)
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: None.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: Three.
Air Hockey Tables: N/A.
Foosball Table: N/A.
Basketball Speed: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: Two.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: Two.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: None.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Theater (movie/stage): None.
Dance Center: None.
Picnic Grove: None.
Operated: (Overall)-- August 1980 to 14 August 2023.
Roller Land: August 1980 to 2005.
Rollerland: August 1980 to 2005.
Skateland of Gaffney: 2005 to 14 August 2023.
Reason for Closure:
Roller Land: Sold for unknown reason.
Rollerland: Sold for unknown reason.
Skateland of Gaffney: Second offer after 2 years was a good offer and family decided to sell. The Bennetts said they got an offer they could not refuse after first one they turned down.. They cited one of the reasons for the decision being the increased issues in running a business-- "uncontrollable behavior" by this generation of teenagers and "lack of responsibility" taken by parents.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at Rink-History©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
Facebook -
WYFF 4 - Announcement of closure.
WSPA 7 - Announcement of closure.
Loop Net - Real estate records.
Loop Net - Property Records (different)
Date of issue: 16 August 2023.
Updated:
For office use only: 25.
Worth to visit:
Just closed! You can see the exterior. And see what it will be transformed into!
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 17. Deut. 32:7.
Skateland of Gaffney closed permanently as of 14 August 2023 according to their Facebook page. It is sad day for skaters in the highlands area.
It all began with Roller Land, also spelled as Rollerland. It was Lionel Trexler who started the rink in 1980. I do not know what day and month. But he operated briefly until mid-1980s when Tony (last name unknown) took over but in 1986, it was Frankie and Donna took over. Same I do not know their last name. But Frankie and Donna operated Rollerland longer than the first two operators. They ran until 2003. That means 17 years. Then in October 2003, the skating rink was renamed as Skateland of Gaffney and opened that month. I saw the logo which IS the official logo for a chain of Skatelands out in Midwest. Was this a chain? I have to ask the current owners who sold it.. The Bennett. Andy and Hope.
I do not know what the fate will be for the building.
Since it was announced today on my alert, which was two days too late.. Yelp has not even caught up and my competitor either. We are FIRST.
The Interior.
Roller Land: I do not know what the interior was like when it was opened in 1980 but I can tell you the roller rink floor was Non-colored Polyurethane coated Hardwood Maple wood floor with Framed Stadium / Capsule shaped Straight Cut Log Cabin. Old Black and White photos showed it appeared to be White background but I am not sure if that is true due to the lightness of whiteness in those monochromic photos back then.
I LOVE those BRICKSSS! They had that unique 1970s Brick half walls. Very similar to you seen the picture I have elsewhere on Rink-History that it was the Bonaventure roller rink in Michigan. Some rinks had exposed natural Red Bricks as it was the style at the time. Can you find more on Rink-History? Sure you can! There are a few left.
Rollerland: Ibid.
Skateland of Gaffney: Same floor it was Roller Land / Rollerland. However, the walls were all painted each section like many roller rinks did in later 2000s and early 2010s. One color block each section between the Steel posts on the wall to Steel posts. I saw that in a couple of photos with children in it so I could not use that to show you the difference.
But later, they added many of your favorite cartoon characters on the walls including Peanuts, Looney Tunes and more. Kind of reminded me of Roger Rabbit movie that most of the cartoon characters from major studios were on that movie. The same with this rink. They will be missed!
Guess what? Those Red Bricks rails are still there by the time they closed the rink on 14 August 2023.
The Bennetts cited one of the reasons for the decision being the increased issues in running a business-- "uncontrollable behavior" by this generation of teenagers and "lack of responsibility" taken by parents.
The Exterior.
Roller Land: I am not sure what the exterior was like as I am referring to color(s) for the Mansard Roof but Red Bricks were seen. This appearance reminded me of another rink that was in New Jersey. It was an America On Wheel Rink.
Rollerland: Ibid.
Skateland of Gaffney: They may had a different color in 2005 when they bought the rink for their Mansard Roof. However, they painted their doors and roof in Salmon in 2012 then the following year or two, sort of Sand color which they kept till 2023.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-colored Polyurethane coated, Maple. Floor Layout: Framed Stadium capsule Straight Cut Log Cabin.
Building Size: 20,250 SF. Built: Appeared to be 1970s style, maybe 1960s. Renovations: 2005 Demolished: Still standing (as of 16 August 2023).
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Bricks and Cinderblocks - Walled 1970s style Arena - like Building.
Roof: Flatted with front Mansard style.
Acres: 2.4700 / 2.7500 (2 Loop Net ads listed two different sizes!)
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: None.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: Three.
Air Hockey Tables: N/A.
Foosball Table: N/A.
Basketball Speed: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: Two.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: Two.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: None.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Theater (movie/stage): None.
Dance Center: None.
Picnic Grove: None.
Operated: (Overall)-- August 1980 to 14 August 2023.
Roller Land: August 1980 to 2005.
Rollerland: August 1980 to 2005.
Skateland of Gaffney: 2005 to 14 August 2023.
Reason for Closure:
Roller Land: Sold for unknown reason.
Rollerland: Sold for unknown reason.
Skateland of Gaffney: Second offer after 2 years was a good offer and family decided to sell. The Bennetts said they got an offer they could not refuse after first one they turned down.. They cited one of the reasons for the decision being the increased issues in running a business-- "uncontrollable behavior" by this generation of teenagers and "lack of responsibility" taken by parents.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at Rink-History©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
Facebook -
WYFF 4 - Announcement of closure.
WSPA 7 - Announcement of closure.
Loop Net - Real estate records.
Loop Net - Property Records (different)
Date of issue: 16 August 2023.
Updated:
For office use only: 25.
Worth to visit:
Just closed! You can see the exterior. And see what it will be transformed into!
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 17. Deut. 32:7.