The Broad Oak Roller Rink 620 Oak St, Columbus, OH Source: Google.
The Broad Oak Roller Rink 620 Oak St, Columbus, OH Source: David Brown/Facebook group- Remembering Ohio Roller Skating Rinks of the Past and Present.
The Broad Oak Roller Rink 620 Oak St, Columbus, OH
The Broad Oak Roller Rink was a roller rink on 620 Oak Street Columbus, Ohio. It was operational from 1905 (Xome) to 1908 (Facebook). Short lived operational of this rink. The post card photograph was taken in 1908 before it was closed, sold, and turned to a garage. This is why the entire floor appeared empty without benches, chairs, and the common things at any skating rinks of its day.
But in 1908 according to Woodland Park History website, it became a garage for Broad Oak Automobile Company. It only operated for three years.
It has been several garages owned throughout the years. Current one is the Specialty Sports Cars. It is a top notch (according to customers rated the business).
Back then the skating rink was on second floor as you can see the evidence in the postcard shown above. The windows, especially the Trusses above the rink. The three sets of windows in the rear clearly would match to what is seen on Google Map.
The Interior.
It was wall-to-wall entire Maple wood floor roller rink and likely It was all Straight layout, no Fan, No Log Cabin, or any specials.
It was on second floor above the ground in more spacious by height room for roller skating. The front was likely on Oak Street side because the entire building ran from front to the back on entire block. Both ends are quite identical that modern day people would be confused where the location for the front.
The light were string lights on each Trusses and tiny lights similar to what we have now with LED lights or classic Christmas lights.
There seem to be a center of the rink floor that appeared different than the wooden floor. Looks so shining in the post card. What was that material and I see it has rails on each side. But front and rear side of that rectangular section has no rails. Was it a seating area there? Or practice floor? They were ahead of time having rink rails for the inside section of the rink floor itself, not outside like most rinks did since then.
It could have been where the organ and/or orchestra played there in the center.
The Exterior.
Beautiful historic building still standing today. It should be registered as National Landmark. It is all Red Brick but the sides were painted or build over on one side and the other was built with more modern building which ruined the walls all around. If they were going to restore entirely, both sides will have to be demolished and leave the building as entire independent detach of any buildings.
It is two story building with larger Arched windows on each end. A two sets of triple arched windows. It made it appear more opera-like appearance which was common in style of its time. The building does appear older than 1905. Free-Span Wood Trusses Red Brick-Walled Multi-story Atrium-style Building with Gable roof.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted Maple. Floor Layout: Appeared to be Straight.
Building Size: 13,320 SF (total both floors), roughly 6,500 SF per floor. Built/Renovations: N/A.
Demolished: STILL STANDING!
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Trusses Red Brick-Walled Multi-story Atrium-style Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: 0.3410 AC. (Lot size at 14,854 SF)
Operated: (Overall)-- 1905 (According to Xome) to 1908.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources:
Google Map.
Facebook - Remembering Ohio Roller Skating Rinks of the Past and Present.
RealtyTrac.
Xome.
Woodland Park.
Date of issue: 25 July 2021.
For office use only: 3 p. (1pc, 2 g.)
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
But in 1908 according to Woodland Park History website, it became a garage for Broad Oak Automobile Company. It only operated for three years.
It has been several garages owned throughout the years. Current one is the Specialty Sports Cars. It is a top notch (according to customers rated the business).
Back then the skating rink was on second floor as you can see the evidence in the postcard shown above. The windows, especially the Trusses above the rink. The three sets of windows in the rear clearly would match to what is seen on Google Map.
The Interior.
It was wall-to-wall entire Maple wood floor roller rink and likely It was all Straight layout, no Fan, No Log Cabin, or any specials.
It was on second floor above the ground in more spacious by height room for roller skating. The front was likely on Oak Street side because the entire building ran from front to the back on entire block. Both ends are quite identical that modern day people would be confused where the location for the front.
The light were string lights on each Trusses and tiny lights similar to what we have now with LED lights or classic Christmas lights.
There seem to be a center of the rink floor that appeared different than the wooden floor. Looks so shining in the post card. What was that material and I see it has rails on each side. But front and rear side of that rectangular section has no rails. Was it a seating area there? Or practice floor? They were ahead of time having rink rails for the inside section of the rink floor itself, not outside like most rinks did since then.
It could have been where the organ and/or orchestra played there in the center.
The Exterior.
Beautiful historic building still standing today. It should be registered as National Landmark. It is all Red Brick but the sides were painted or build over on one side and the other was built with more modern building which ruined the walls all around. If they were going to restore entirely, both sides will have to be demolished and leave the building as entire independent detach of any buildings.
It is two story building with larger Arched windows on each end. A two sets of triple arched windows. It made it appear more opera-like appearance which was common in style of its time. The building does appear older than 1905. Free-Span Wood Trusses Red Brick-Walled Multi-story Atrium-style Building with Gable roof.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Non-painted Maple. Floor Layout: Appeared to be Straight.
Building Size: 13,320 SF (total both floors), roughly 6,500 SF per floor. Built/Renovations: N/A.
Demolished: STILL STANDING!
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Trusses Red Brick-Walled Multi-story Atrium-style Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: 0.3410 AC. (Lot size at 14,854 SF)
Operated: (Overall)-- 1905 (According to Xome) to 1908.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources:
Google Map.
Facebook - Remembering Ohio Roller Skating Rinks of the Past and Present.
RealtyTrac.
Xome.
Woodland Park.
Date of issue: 25 July 2021.
For office use only: 3 p. (1pc, 2 g.)
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.