An open air pavilion, 670 Sw 15th St, Forest Lake, MN (? to 1947)
Skateland Roller Rink, 670 Sw 15th St, Forest Lake, MN (1947-1968)
This rink has quite an interesting information. Originally it was an open-air pavilion for a roller rink and dancing for a time but in 1947, Bert and Elsie Vogel, the owners of Skateland Roller rink bought the pavilion from Mrs. Eugenie Hendrickson who owned the pavilion.
But in 1955, they decided to tear down the old pavilion and build a new year-round roller skating rink known as Skateland and was opened to summer visitors crowd as well as local people on June 17, 1955.
I have no information regarding the old pavilion prior to 1947.
The rebuilt was built in 1955 and ran for a number of years. I have no idea why they closed and sold to a manufacturing company in 1968. it was sold to a manufacturer company making all-terrain vehicles before Norcon Manufacturing took over in 1981 according to Bizapedia. The company now is GearGrid Companies, a manufacturing company making products and merchandise for entertainment and recreation products. I saw the website and they do make in-direct to roller skating floors, and skating rink products.
Unfortunately, can't skate there anymore.
The owner, Elise Vogel who co-owned with her husband wrote a book (out of print) about her experience operating the rink and history surrounding it. It was featured as an expert from her book published online in 2019. Written in 1993 according to Amazon (again, sold out).
I do not have any photographs at all. Just photos I see of skaters at the rink.
It was clearly has to be one of those building that the entertainment related manufacturing company owns. It looks like add ons. Which part?!
But the interior showed it had cinderblocks according to one fo the pictures.
They had children who loved the rink refused to go on vacations and wanted to spend time at the rink! They had an annual king and queen contest and the winners would go on Fourth of July Parade. They also had roller skating drama (remember Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice of the past?) Well, they would have their own Rockettes on roller skates called, Rollerettes. Usually 8 female skaters. Each year different theme. They had Magic Toy Store, Square Dances, etc.
The drama skating would be 11 annual shows. They were very active in drama and skating in one.
At one time, they had 150 skaters involved with skating dramas shows. A true "Roller Follies/Holiday on Wood" as I would joke the names.
What was so funny is that the article in Forest Lake Times newspaper is the newspaper is actually from Forest Lake, Wyoming! NOT Minnesota but the rink was in MN!
Rink Size: N/A Floor: N/A Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A
Type of Building: Free Span Cinderblocks Warehouse Building
Roof: Gable?
Acres: N/A
Operated:
Reason for Closure: N/A. Sold to an All-Terrain Vehicle manufacturer then sold to entertainment product manufacturer (indirect to skating rinks supplier!)
Wanted: Information regarding photos, both interior and exterior. Exactly when closed, why closed.
Sources: Elise Vogal Obituary, Article in Forest Lake Times,
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
Skateland Roller Rink, 670 Sw 15th St, Forest Lake, MN (1947-1968)
This rink has quite an interesting information. Originally it was an open-air pavilion for a roller rink and dancing for a time but in 1947, Bert and Elsie Vogel, the owners of Skateland Roller rink bought the pavilion from Mrs. Eugenie Hendrickson who owned the pavilion.
But in 1955, they decided to tear down the old pavilion and build a new year-round roller skating rink known as Skateland and was opened to summer visitors crowd as well as local people on June 17, 1955.
I have no information regarding the old pavilion prior to 1947.
The rebuilt was built in 1955 and ran for a number of years. I have no idea why they closed and sold to a manufacturing company in 1968. it was sold to a manufacturer company making all-terrain vehicles before Norcon Manufacturing took over in 1981 according to Bizapedia. The company now is GearGrid Companies, a manufacturing company making products and merchandise for entertainment and recreation products. I saw the website and they do make in-direct to roller skating floors, and skating rink products.
Unfortunately, can't skate there anymore.
The owner, Elise Vogel who co-owned with her husband wrote a book (out of print) about her experience operating the rink and history surrounding it. It was featured as an expert from her book published online in 2019. Written in 1993 according to Amazon (again, sold out).
I do not have any photographs at all. Just photos I see of skaters at the rink.
It was clearly has to be one of those building that the entertainment related manufacturing company owns. It looks like add ons. Which part?!
But the interior showed it had cinderblocks according to one fo the pictures.
They had children who loved the rink refused to go on vacations and wanted to spend time at the rink! They had an annual king and queen contest and the winners would go on Fourth of July Parade. They also had roller skating drama (remember Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice of the past?) Well, they would have their own Rockettes on roller skates called, Rollerettes. Usually 8 female skaters. Each year different theme. They had Magic Toy Store, Square Dances, etc.
The drama skating would be 11 annual shows. They were very active in drama and skating in one.
At one time, they had 150 skaters involved with skating dramas shows. A true "Roller Follies/Holiday on Wood" as I would joke the names.
What was so funny is that the article in Forest Lake Times newspaper is the newspaper is actually from Forest Lake, Wyoming! NOT Minnesota but the rink was in MN!
Rink Size: N/A Floor: N/A Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A
Type of Building: Free Span Cinderblocks Warehouse Building
Roof: Gable?
Acres: N/A
Operated:
Reason for Closure: N/A. Sold to an All-Terrain Vehicle manufacturer then sold to entertainment product manufacturer (indirect to skating rinks supplier!)
Wanted: Information regarding photos, both interior and exterior. Exactly when closed, why closed.
Sources: Elise Vogal Obituary, Article in Forest Lake Times,
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.