Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Cool cars! Yes, you are seeing the 1957 Chevy parked by the front of the rink! Courtesy of AOW site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena)
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Today is is Valet Auto Wash. They kept the steel skelton and Cinderblocks but renovated with beautiful Red Bricks on the outside. They bought this old car wash on the right and converted into oil change station. You can see how fancy the track on the grounds. Courtesy of Valet Auto Wash.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). 15 laps for this size rink is equal to a mile. Courtesy of Billboard - 10 December 1938.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena) This article mentioned the organist who played at Skateland in Trenton, NJ. She was hired to play on opening night at Singing Wheels Arena. Courtesy of The Daily Standard - 5 July 1940.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Billboard - 11 September 1943, page 44, 1st column (heading article).
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena) Wow, a lot of people but I believe a rink in Chicago, Ill broke the largest at 7,000 patrons! Many rinks had about 2,000 to 3,000 patrons in first half of 20th Century. Courtesy of Billboard - Dec 31, 1949, page 55, 5th Column, top article.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Announcing they reopened the rink after heavy renovations. The News - 19 September 1952.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena) An article about renovations and please do read what they renovated into. It is a Theme Rink. Courtesy of Billboard - 27 September 1952, page 50, 3rd Column, 2nd Article.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena) Courtesy of The Record - 20 February 1953.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Courtesy of America On Wheels Newsletter September 1964. (Wow, just before I was born!)
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Courtesy of Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection / Trenton Evening Times - 30 September 1938.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). This is the cover of the 1942 America On Wheels Amateur Dance and Figure Skating Championship. The wings and the logo and the wording on bottom reminded me of.. Nazi Germany used that but had Swastika on instead. Looks like Germany wanted to be like everyone else. A history lesson another time. Courtesy of AOW Site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). This is the program for the 1942 America On Wheels Amateur Dance and Figure Skating Championship. Did you see one of the judges looks familiar to you? Yes, you got that right. Ozzie Nelson of the famed Ozzie and Harriet radio and TV fame. Ozzie was a dancer and musician as well as actor and producer. No history I could find that he skated but perhaps he and his family did! One thing though, This event occurred in his birth town, Trenton, NJ! The event was held at Twin City Arena in Elizabeth, NJ. Courtesy of AOW Site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). List of skaters to compete. This is the program for the 1942 America On Wheels Amateur Dance and Figure Skating Championship. Courtesy of AOW Site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). More of skating programs plus a regular scheduled skating session open to public till Midnight. Nice! Midnight! Not many rinks are open till this late. Unfortunately. Rarely an overnight. Courtesy of AOW Site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Rear cover of the program for the 1942 America On Wheels Amateur Dance and Figure Skating Championship. All the AOW Rinks are listed. Courtesy of AOW Site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena) Looks like brand new. Might be a replica. But this is what they really looked like. Source: Google Image.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena) In this version discovered on Google, it has faded Yellow. May have had sun exposure. Courtesy of AOW site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). First of the three with list of rinks that AOW owned and operated. One of the first chains and largest at the time. Sorry, this is the ugliest of all three. I do not like this at all! Looks like the top view of a new Webbed Octopus called Muusoctopus they recently discovered in July 2023. Courtesy of AOW site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Pretty nice design. But I love the next one best. Courtesy of AOW site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). I love this design. The colors, the shape.. Courtesy of AOW site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Courtesy of eBay.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ (America On Wheels, Capital Arena). Whew, a lot of decals for collectors! This one appeared to be excellent condition! A replica? Courtesy of AOW site.
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
Rollerdrome 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
Capitol Arena 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
America On Wheels 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
Valet Auto Wash 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
Rollerdrome 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
Capitol Arena 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
America On Wheels 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
Valet Auto Wash 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, NJ
Skateland Roller Rink 224 Lalor Street, Trenton, New Jersey was originally operated from 1938 until they sold it to AOW, known as America On Wheels, which they operated as Capital Arena. They also had Rollerdrome as a name.
It did not last long for Skateland because it lasted from 1948 to July 1940 when the owner sold it to America On Wheels. That company renamed it as Capital Arena which lasted until 1971. However, they closed in June 1952 to September 1952 for a total renovation. Perhaps the floor was untouched but the rest were painted, new decor, things like that.
Both operators had organ music. What organ they owned is unknown.
Before Skateland, it was Lalor Street Trolley Car Barn which began in 1912 and lasted many years until Skateland in 1938. Then Rollerdrome. Date is unknown for that. This site will be updated. Then in 1938, Skateland. But sold in two years to America On Wheels. Was it the reason it has to be World War Two? It was happening overseas but not in the US.
After America On Wheels purchased Skateland, they named it Capital Arena Roller Rink. After it was closed, it became Valet Auto Wash car wash which is still operational today.
The Interior.
Skateland Roller Rink: Skateland had two floors. One was a beginner floor which was Michigan Maple sized 20 Feet wide by 87 Feet Long. It also had another floor almost exact the size of a NHL floor- 80 Feet Wide by 200 Feet Long. This was a huge rink of course. They also had Michigan Maple floor for the main rink floor. The building was 25,375 Square Feet. That was pretty big sized rink facility.
Rollerdrome: Same.
Capitol Arena: Same however, heavily renovated so check out above newspaper article from Billboard - 27 September 1952, page 50, 3rd Column, 2nd Article.
America On Wheels: Same. (ownership)
The Exterior.
Skateland Roller Rink:
Rollerdrome:
Capitol Arena:
America On Wheels:
The Stats:
Beginner Rink Size: 20' x 87' Floor: Michigan Maple Floor Layout: N/A.
Main Rink Size: 80' x 200' Floor: Michigan Maple Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 25,375 SF Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 0.935 Acres.
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: Brand unknown. F. A. Wahford (1938); Ethel Robinson (1941)
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
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: N/A.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
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)-- 1938 to June 1952 then from September 1952 to 1971.
Skateland Roller Rink: 1938 to July 1940
Rollerdrome: N/A.
Capitol Arena: July 1940 to June 1952 then from September 1952 to 1971.
America On Wheels: July 1940 to June 1952 then from September 1952 to 1971.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Skateland Roller Rink: Sold to AOW.
Rollerdrome: N/A.
Capitol Arena: N/A.
America On Wheels: N/A.
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:
Valet Auto Wash - Car wash place still operational at former rink site.
Loop Net - Property Records.
America On Wheels - patches and photos are shown.
Billboard - Dec 10, 1938, page 43, 2nd column, 10th Briefing.
Billboard - 11 September 1943, page 44, 1st and 2nd column, 1st article.
Billboard - 27 September 1952, page 50, 3rd column, 2nd article.
Capitol Roller Rink newsletter Sept 1960
Other sources are in the gallery.
Date of issue: 10 July 2023.
Updated:
For office use only: 23.
Worth to visit:
None. The rink is gone HOWEVER, YOU STILL can get your car washed there and you will see the interior still intact. Especially the ceiling, the walls. Still as a rink but not a rink anymore.
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.
It did not last long for Skateland because it lasted from 1948 to July 1940 when the owner sold it to America On Wheels. That company renamed it as Capital Arena which lasted until 1971. However, they closed in June 1952 to September 1952 for a total renovation. Perhaps the floor was untouched but the rest were painted, new decor, things like that.
Both operators had organ music. What organ they owned is unknown.
Before Skateland, it was Lalor Street Trolley Car Barn which began in 1912 and lasted many years until Skateland in 1938. Then Rollerdrome. Date is unknown for that. This site will be updated. Then in 1938, Skateland. But sold in two years to America On Wheels. Was it the reason it has to be World War Two? It was happening overseas but not in the US.
After America On Wheels purchased Skateland, they named it Capital Arena Roller Rink. After it was closed, it became Valet Auto Wash car wash which is still operational today.
The Interior.
Skateland Roller Rink: Skateland had two floors. One was a beginner floor which was Michigan Maple sized 20 Feet wide by 87 Feet Long. It also had another floor almost exact the size of a NHL floor- 80 Feet Wide by 200 Feet Long. This was a huge rink of course. They also had Michigan Maple floor for the main rink floor. The building was 25,375 Square Feet. That was pretty big sized rink facility.
Rollerdrome: Same.
Capitol Arena: Same however, heavily renovated so check out above newspaper article from Billboard - 27 September 1952, page 50, 3rd Column, 2nd Article.
America On Wheels: Same. (ownership)
The Exterior.
Skateland Roller Rink:
Rollerdrome:
Capitol Arena:
America On Wheels:
The Stats:
Beginner Rink Size: 20' x 87' Floor: Michigan Maple Floor Layout: N/A.
Main Rink Size: 80' x 200' Floor: Michigan Maple Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 25,375 SF Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 0.935 Acres.
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: Brand unknown. F. A. Wahford (1938); Ethel Robinson (1941)
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
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: N/A.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
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)-- 1938 to June 1952 then from September 1952 to 1971.
Skateland Roller Rink: 1938 to July 1940
Rollerdrome: N/A.
Capitol Arena: July 1940 to June 1952 then from September 1952 to 1971.
America On Wheels: July 1940 to June 1952 then from September 1952 to 1971.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Skateland Roller Rink: Sold to AOW.
Rollerdrome: N/A.
Capitol Arena: N/A.
America On Wheels: N/A.
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:
Valet Auto Wash - Car wash place still operational at former rink site.
Loop Net - Property Records.
America On Wheels - patches and photos are shown.
Billboard - Dec 10, 1938, page 43, 2nd column, 10th Briefing.
Billboard - 11 September 1943, page 44, 1st and 2nd column, 1st article.
Billboard - 27 September 1952, page 50, 3rd column, 2nd article.
Capitol Roller Rink newsletter Sept 1960
Other sources are in the gallery.
Date of issue: 10 July 2023.
Updated:
For office use only: 23.
Worth to visit:
None. The rink is gone HOWEVER, YOU STILL can get your car washed there and you will see the interior still intact. Especially the ceiling, the walls. Still as a rink but not a rink anymore.
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.