Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society. Postcard with illustration. Likely 1880s when this was drawn because of horses and buggies and people walking.
Google Map. This building was built after the fire destroyed the Washington Roller Rink in 1920.
Washington Roller Rink North Washington & North 10th Aves N, Minneapolis, MN
Washington Roller Rink was on North Washington Avenue and North 10th Ave Minneapolis, Minnesota on the Northeast corner. Today on Google Map, it shows that old multi-story brick building that looked like an old factory.
I do not know why it was called Washington but I believe it was named after the street. I have seen businesses named after street. Buckley Road for Buckley Road, 7th North Buffet on 7th North (actual place, closed, demolished), etc.
It is said it was opened in 1883 for business after it was built and they had an expansion in 1885 to meet demand for roller skating I believe. But they ran pretty good for that era till 1920 because they had a fire. They closed for good.
This building, a rather no style with small clerestory; basilica in inspiration.
The Interior.
They said it was the world's largest. Apparently with the massive size of 81,620 Square Feet, this is considered the largest at the time.
Had something called "roller toboggan chute;" said to be the largest rink in world. Of course, with that size building. That has to be large. Let's say 20 percent of the floorplan is not a rink, with that size of 81,620 SF, you would come to. 16,324 SF of non-skating area such as coat room, restrooms, skate rentals, concession, eat area, seating... you would have 65,296 Square feet of roller skating! That is big! All wood. Maple? Not sure.
Say, the rink width was 200 feet, the length was 326.48 feet long!
The Exterior.
This building was simple wood large building with the size of 81,620 Square Feet! They said it was the world's largest at the time. It had Gable roof but made of wood and wood truss built with small clerestory and had Basilican style on it. This means windows up high around the building. However, it burned down in 1920
The Stats:
Rink Size: ab. 65,296 SF (really was world's largest at time). Floor: wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 530' x 154'. (81,620 SF) Built: 1883., 1885 expansion. Demolished: 1920 due to fire.
Type of Building: No strong style, wood; large building and small clerestory; basilican in
inspiration; seat up to 11,000 patrons (Not sure if seats are permanently or removed).
Roof: Gable, Basilican.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1883 to 1920.
Reason for Closure: Destroyed by fire, no rebuilt for rink.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Larry Millett website; Lost Buildings and Places in Minneapolis - Page 2, PDF;
Minnesota Historical Society - Washington Rink postcard;
Date of issue: 26 January 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
I do not know why it was called Washington but I believe it was named after the street. I have seen businesses named after street. Buckley Road for Buckley Road, 7th North Buffet on 7th North (actual place, closed, demolished), etc.
It is said it was opened in 1883 for business after it was built and they had an expansion in 1885 to meet demand for roller skating I believe. But they ran pretty good for that era till 1920 because they had a fire. They closed for good.
This building, a rather no style with small clerestory; basilica in inspiration.
The Interior.
They said it was the world's largest. Apparently with the massive size of 81,620 Square Feet, this is considered the largest at the time.
Had something called "roller toboggan chute;" said to be the largest rink in world. Of course, with that size building. That has to be large. Let's say 20 percent of the floorplan is not a rink, with that size of 81,620 SF, you would come to. 16,324 SF of non-skating area such as coat room, restrooms, skate rentals, concession, eat area, seating... you would have 65,296 Square feet of roller skating! That is big! All wood. Maple? Not sure.
Say, the rink width was 200 feet, the length was 326.48 feet long!
The Exterior.
This building was simple wood large building with the size of 81,620 Square Feet! They said it was the world's largest at the time. It had Gable roof but made of wood and wood truss built with small clerestory and had Basilican style on it. This means windows up high around the building. However, it burned down in 1920
The Stats:
Rink Size: ab. 65,296 SF (really was world's largest at time). Floor: wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 530' x 154'. (81,620 SF) Built: 1883., 1885 expansion. Demolished: 1920 due to fire.
Type of Building: No strong style, wood; large building and small clerestory; basilican in
inspiration; seat up to 11,000 patrons (Not sure if seats are permanently or removed).
Roof: Gable, Basilican.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: 1883 to 1920.
Reason for Closure: Destroyed by fire, no rebuilt for rink.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Larry Millett website; Lost Buildings and Places in Minneapolis - Page 2, PDF;
Minnesota Historical Society - Washington Rink postcard;
Date of issue: 26 January 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.