Both courtesy of U.S. Geographical Agency. Top: 1955; Right: 1983. There were no 1960s or 1970s photos to show the addition of the rink. It was clear in 1955 that only the drive-in was in business. The building on the left of the theater was something else there. The rink was build in 1960s clearly says a few. The rink is clearly seen in 1983 photo in the corner of Country Road 416 and Route 425 which you can see on the right in the photos.
|
Trees were starting to grow clearly at the bottom of above photo (1983) canopy over the exit road. Clearly it wants to take over the area!
Yes, that restaurant opened in 1970s or early 1980s as seen in the corner north of the Country Road 416. |
Courtesy of U.S. Geographical Services. This was taken in 1994 as nature already taken over. This is what happens when you do not mow the lawn, do not pull out tree spouts. Those were done by nature! Daughter trees grows out of extended roots under that area as well as seeds seeded that area.
Skipping to the modern photos, you will see it is fully covered. The restaurant still there ever since 1970s or 80s. |
Two photos courtesy of Google Map. The current photo taken in 2019 or 2020. All covered in grass. You can barely see the roof in the bottom photo. And dead trees surrounded the old rink while rest are still in green. Why? It must have blocked where the rain must fall into the ground for roots to drink water. cutting off can choke trees. That is the evident why it is that way.
Courtesy of Google Map. Possible location of old rink but it is all full of forestry now.
All courtesy of AbandonedAR.com / Michael Schwarz and Ginger Beck. This rink has seen better days. So was the drive-in theater. It sure did play movies such as "The Return of the Jedi", "Flash Jordan", and others.
YouTube courtesy of Mobile Instinct. Excellent video Mobile Instinct. I love this video. You should win the best award for filming about abandoned place. Many competitors do theirs too but I see the art in this, M.I. Again, great job!
Folks, click on it and watch the video! You will see what I mean.
Folks, click on it and watch the video! You will see what I mean.
Sunset Roller Rink 122 County Road 416, Hamburg, AR
Sunset Roller Palace 122 County Road 416, Hamburg, AR
Sunset Roller Palace 122 County Road 416, Hamburg, AR
This is one of the most unique rink and is cherish and memorized by the skaters who skated there from the 1960s to 1990s. This rink had a formal name and a nickname. Formal is Sunset Roller Palace and the nickname everyone called it Sunset Roller Rink.
The reason being that the fact the rink and drive-in theater was the only employer in the area that offered teenagers employment and those same employees enjoyed a perk they always wanted: free skating, free movies, and conessions.
This rink is most talked about on social media such as Facebook and YouTube. The rink was all wood built-- walls, floor, roof. Very rustic along with the drive-in theater. Today, tree overgrowth, the forest is reclaiming it back where it belongs- nature. Trees growing in front of the screen which is still in pretty good shape, and the rink itself has a couple of trees growing right by the exterior wall and inside remains nearly intact but the weather, of course made it is perfect for an artist to paint on a canvas. A perfect backdrop. It is truly abandoned roller rink and theater.
Many sites discuss this in their articles. And one website is not functioning. Hmm.
This is one of the most interesting rinks in history of roller skating rinks because of the nature of the building and the abandonment that nature is taking over. This is a photographer's haven but Dead-Rink has a policy: Please respect this is a private property! Do NOT attempt to go into the woods for photography. Some or all have been demolished both by nature and by the current owners. Having said, the danger of injury is present such as you could fall through the floor and hurt yourself or falling screen. My advice: stay out. Thank you for understanding.
Someone started this venue in 1960s but The Bundys owned and ran it from 1976 to 1986.
Harvey and Linda Bundy operated a popular and interesting multi-entertainment complex which was very simple. A roller rink and a drive-in theater. Both were usually popular in 1950s that those two entertainment were parallel in popularity at the time. But The Bundys started this in 1976, the year of the Bicentennial Celebration but closed in 1986. It was short lived really. I have no answer why they decided to close already. Then no rink during the lumbar company but brought back to life by the Carpenters.
In details: After the Bundys sold it, a lumbar company bought it then sold it to Charles Carpenter who purchased it for his 3 sons to enjoy the woods and the abandoned rink and screen. At the time, Charles Carpenter also owned an airport and the Carpenters clothing stores chains.
Only one son, Robert ran the rink till sometimes in 1990s. His father and his two brothers were killed in an aircraft accident. Robert was forced to close this iconic place because of declining business and changing times (such as children prefer to stay home and watch TV all day or play their favorite violent video games all day in their parents' basements.)
This lead to closure just like any other theaters, rinks, and malls.
This is a perfect archeological and geological evidence that nature can take over man made things real quickly. From 1990s to now is just merely 30 years and nature reclaimed quickly in that short period of time. This is why ruins and other famous archeological sites were buried just few feet of soil and buried under trees (such as perfect examples-the Mayans ruins were buried under mounts and thick jungle in just 500 years or more years to do so). I highly recommend this site to be debated in archeology, geology, and flora majors in colleges and vocational schools especially Christian.
Someone on YouTube mentioned this about the history related to Sunset rink who was quoting from Lauren Carpenter--
"My grandparents Imie and Robert Allen "Bert" Carpenter owned and operated the Sunset Drive-In and Roller Rink for 25 years. Imie is very pleased to hear that an article had been written about a place that so many remain fond of! She often recounts memories from this time of her life. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, my grandparents traveled to yearly meetings in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Chicago while representing America's small towns for the National Theatre Owner's Association. At these galas, they mingled/were friendly with many stars and starlets.
A little bit of history as dictated to me by my grandmother: Charlie Carpenter, my grandfather's father, bought the land for his three sons (Charles, Jack and Robert A) from the Crossett Lumber Company. He gave the 25 acres of land to his sons. They also had the Hamburg, AR airport and "Carpenters" clothing stores. A tragic flying accident killed Charles and the boys who worked at the Sunset movie theater one Sunday afternoon. After that, only Robert A Carpenter, my grandfather, owned the Sunset Drive-In and Roller Rink. The Sunset was the only local business which employed teenage kids, who ended up making lifelong memories and also enjoyed all of the free concessions and movies that they wanted... a teenager's perfect job if you ask me! Times change and they shut down both businesses but my father and my grandmother, still own the property out of nostalgia. Memories are everywhere."
At one time in 1990s, there was a church housed at the rink. Yes, a church. Wow. They must have outgrown this and moved on to more modern facility to worship God.
The Interior.
It was all wood. Very simple with all opened windows. I do not think they even had windows. Only open during warm season. it appeared to be very much look like a summer campground or state park shelter with much opening all around the building. Well, most of it though. It was all wood structure including floor, walls, etc. Very simple design. Very much unique in that aspect compared to modern rinks out there. Floor I do not know what material they used for the rink. It apparently covered entire complex.
The Exterior.
Free-Span wood Truss wood walled and built open camp/park shelter - like Building with Gable roof. It had dark stain brown exterior wall. Looks very much like it belongs to a campgrounds or state park or a federal forest park. Take your pick. That is what it was like. Well, maybe the trick you see in photos showed that however, the appearance of the building did look very much like one of those shelters at those camping places I mentioned. Very cool and interesting that I love it! It deserved an award of its own for this rink. Because of its uniqueness.
Nature took over fast. Commenters on YouTube said the land overtook by nature in 30 years fast, so fast many cannot believe nature can take over this fast. Oh yes they can. Every year I see my lawn spouts of maple trees everywhere! Cut I had to do with the lawnmower and weed-wacker.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1960s. Demolished: Nature damaging / abandoned.
Type of Building: Free-Span wood Truss wood walled and built open camp/park shelter - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1960s to 1986, 1990s to 1990s.
Reason for Closure: Bundys- unknown, Carpenters - declining business..
Wanted: Information regarding actual date of open, closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos of its heydays (in good shape of the place!)
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Facebook - The Bundys and the rink, Facebook - Abandoned Arkansas, Only in Your State,
Cinemas Treasure, Google Map,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. God Matters. Jn 3:16.
The reason being that the fact the rink and drive-in theater was the only employer in the area that offered teenagers employment and those same employees enjoyed a perk they always wanted: free skating, free movies, and conessions.
This rink is most talked about on social media such as Facebook and YouTube. The rink was all wood built-- walls, floor, roof. Very rustic along with the drive-in theater. Today, tree overgrowth, the forest is reclaiming it back where it belongs- nature. Trees growing in front of the screen which is still in pretty good shape, and the rink itself has a couple of trees growing right by the exterior wall and inside remains nearly intact but the weather, of course made it is perfect for an artist to paint on a canvas. A perfect backdrop. It is truly abandoned roller rink and theater.
Many sites discuss this in their articles. And one website is not functioning. Hmm.
This is one of the most interesting rinks in history of roller skating rinks because of the nature of the building and the abandonment that nature is taking over. This is a photographer's haven but Dead-Rink has a policy: Please respect this is a private property! Do NOT attempt to go into the woods for photography. Some or all have been demolished both by nature and by the current owners. Having said, the danger of injury is present such as you could fall through the floor and hurt yourself or falling screen. My advice: stay out. Thank you for understanding.
Someone started this venue in 1960s but The Bundys owned and ran it from 1976 to 1986.
Harvey and Linda Bundy operated a popular and interesting multi-entertainment complex which was very simple. A roller rink and a drive-in theater. Both were usually popular in 1950s that those two entertainment were parallel in popularity at the time. But The Bundys started this in 1976, the year of the Bicentennial Celebration but closed in 1986. It was short lived really. I have no answer why they decided to close already. Then no rink during the lumbar company but brought back to life by the Carpenters.
In details: After the Bundys sold it, a lumbar company bought it then sold it to Charles Carpenter who purchased it for his 3 sons to enjoy the woods and the abandoned rink and screen. At the time, Charles Carpenter also owned an airport and the Carpenters clothing stores chains.
Only one son, Robert ran the rink till sometimes in 1990s. His father and his two brothers were killed in an aircraft accident. Robert was forced to close this iconic place because of declining business and changing times (such as children prefer to stay home and watch TV all day or play their favorite violent video games all day in their parents' basements.)
This lead to closure just like any other theaters, rinks, and malls.
This is a perfect archeological and geological evidence that nature can take over man made things real quickly. From 1990s to now is just merely 30 years and nature reclaimed quickly in that short period of time. This is why ruins and other famous archeological sites were buried just few feet of soil and buried under trees (such as perfect examples-the Mayans ruins were buried under mounts and thick jungle in just 500 years or more years to do so). I highly recommend this site to be debated in archeology, geology, and flora majors in colleges and vocational schools especially Christian.
Someone on YouTube mentioned this about the history related to Sunset rink who was quoting from Lauren Carpenter--
"My grandparents Imie and Robert Allen "Bert" Carpenter owned and operated the Sunset Drive-In and Roller Rink for 25 years. Imie is very pleased to hear that an article had been written about a place that so many remain fond of! She often recounts memories from this time of her life. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, my grandparents traveled to yearly meetings in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Chicago while representing America's small towns for the National Theatre Owner's Association. At these galas, they mingled/were friendly with many stars and starlets.
A little bit of history as dictated to me by my grandmother: Charlie Carpenter, my grandfather's father, bought the land for his three sons (Charles, Jack and Robert A) from the Crossett Lumber Company. He gave the 25 acres of land to his sons. They also had the Hamburg, AR airport and "Carpenters" clothing stores. A tragic flying accident killed Charles and the boys who worked at the Sunset movie theater one Sunday afternoon. After that, only Robert A Carpenter, my grandfather, owned the Sunset Drive-In and Roller Rink. The Sunset was the only local business which employed teenage kids, who ended up making lifelong memories and also enjoyed all of the free concessions and movies that they wanted... a teenager's perfect job if you ask me! Times change and they shut down both businesses but my father and my grandmother, still own the property out of nostalgia. Memories are everywhere."
At one time in 1990s, there was a church housed at the rink. Yes, a church. Wow. They must have outgrown this and moved on to more modern facility to worship God.
The Interior.
It was all wood. Very simple with all opened windows. I do not think they even had windows. Only open during warm season. it appeared to be very much look like a summer campground or state park shelter with much opening all around the building. Well, most of it though. It was all wood structure including floor, walls, etc. Very simple design. Very much unique in that aspect compared to modern rinks out there. Floor I do not know what material they used for the rink. It apparently covered entire complex.
The Exterior.
Free-Span wood Truss wood walled and built open camp/park shelter - like Building with Gable roof. It had dark stain brown exterior wall. Looks very much like it belongs to a campgrounds or state park or a federal forest park. Take your pick. That is what it was like. Well, maybe the trick you see in photos showed that however, the appearance of the building did look very much like one of those shelters at those camping places I mentioned. Very cool and interesting that I love it! It deserved an award of its own for this rink. Because of its uniqueness.
Nature took over fast. Commenters on YouTube said the land overtook by nature in 30 years fast, so fast many cannot believe nature can take over this fast. Oh yes they can. Every year I see my lawn spouts of maple trees everywhere! Cut I had to do with the lawnmower and weed-wacker.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1960s. Demolished: Nature damaging / abandoned.
Type of Building: Free-Span wood Truss wood walled and built open camp/park shelter - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1960s to 1986, 1990s to 1990s.
Reason for Closure: Bundys- unknown, Carpenters - declining business..
Wanted: Information regarding actual date of open, closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos of its heydays (in good shape of the place!)
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Facebook - The Bundys and the rink, Facebook - Abandoned Arkansas, Only in Your State,
Cinemas Treasure, Google Map,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. God Matters. Jn 3:16.