Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Source: Pinterest.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Source: Pinterest.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Main entrance to the Fair with the Expo-Hall right up front as you can see in the photo. Source: Ohio County Public Library Collection.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Source: Google Image.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Source: Ohio County Public Library Collection.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV Source: Google Image Search.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Source: Ohio County Public Library Collection.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Source: Abandoned.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV Within a year before the fire. It was used as storage for the Casino-Hotel just cross the street. Source: Google.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Within a year before the fire. It was used as storage for the Casino-Hotel just cross the street. Source: Google.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Disastrously fire on 31 December 2019 destroyed the rink. It was a Two-Alarm Fire. Thank you for your service WFD. And sorry you had to miss New Year's Eve celebration. Hope you had a good year that year 2020, Fire Fighters! Source: Wheeling Fire Department.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Disastrously fire on 31 December 2019 destroyed the rink. It was a Two-Alarm Fire. Thank you for your service WFD. And sorry you had to miss New Year's Eve celebration. Hope you had a good year that year 2020, Fire Fighters! Source: Wheeling Fire Department.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV Top view 2020. Source: Google.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. The repairs. Actually it was a renovation they were doing this rink because it said "Many improvements will be made during the shutdown. They usually have summers closed. Source: Billboard 25 July 1942, page 54, 3rd Column.
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV. Then in the same year, a week later, Cecil Milam was looking for experienced management team without any children, not a drinker. Both are violations of Civil Rights but this was long before anti-discrimination laws were enacted in 1964. Source: Billboard - 01 August 1942, page 45. 1st Column (near bottom).
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV Source: Billboard - 20 May 1944, page 44. 2nd Column.
Milam Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV
Wheeling Roller Rink WV State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, WV
First, Milam Roller Rink then Wheeling Roller Rink West Virginia State Fair Grounds, Wheeling Island, West Virginia were once a roller rink. The building had long history but it was part of that state fairgrounds. Entire island full of expo buildings, fields, and attractions and stands.
Its humble beginning was in 1924 when the West Virginia Exposition and State Fair Association as part of the state fairgrounds built the building. In fact, The Exposition Hall was built on an elevated foundation to help protect it from periodic Ohio River flooding. In addition to the spacious hall, there was a dirt racetrack, stables and a small amusement park on the fairgrounds. The photographs would show evidence of location of the rink at upper floor.
Roller skating did not start there until 1932.
The exhibition building housed a roller rink for most of its existence until the final call rang out in 1988.
The owner of the rink sold in 1944 was none other than Cecil Milam who owned a rink in Washington, PA, the Washington Roller Rink-then-Arena Recreation Center. Cecil later sold Milam to focus on the Arena Recreation Center because he expanded that rink in Pennsylvania. Besides, what a drive between two rinks between those states with Maryland in between Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
After Cecil Milam sold the rink to focus on the rink in Washington, PA, the Schreyer family from Johnstown, Pennsylvania purchased the rink. William Schreyer and his business partner, Richard B. Young owned the rink and saw an opportunity to expand in a new location. Likely to be relocated. The sale was at toward end of World War II-- 1944-45.
However, due to massive wartime, there were complications because many buildings were needed for war effort. The rink building was leased out to the Hoover Company (is that the same company that made vacuum cleaners?) to manufacture war supplies.
The roller skating business would have to take a temporary backseat for the sake of war effort. The William Schreyer and the Hoover Company were able to reach an agreement that the rink, now named the Wheeling Roller Rink, would remain in operation until the weekend after Hoover took possession of the property. But William moved the rink to the second floor of the Market Auditorium that was located on the Market Plaza.
That location at the Market Auditorium was temporary until the end of the War. Likely a few months until Summer 1945.
After the War, it was returned back to the expo hall, the original location but the Wheeling Downs and the Exposition Hall were purchased by notable Wheeling business owner and purported mobster “Big Bill” Lias.
William Schreyer leased the hall from Lias and returned the rink to the Expo Hall building. Schreyer upgraded the rink infrastructure during that time, adding a dropped ceiling, fresh lighting and more durable reinforcement girders.
After the War ended in 1945, because of lack of willpower to purchase televisions, roller skating business was at its peak and was popular.
Times were very different and difficult during before desegregation and women’s liberation. Weekday afternoon skating sessions were marketed for housewives wishing to maintain their girlish figures in an effort to hold the attention of their husbands. In another word, because they did not work in businesses and factories after the War, many stayed home but skating was excellent fitness. Remember, not many fitness centers at the time. Women skated to slim down to make them feel sexy and beautiful.
But, the era, African-Americans had a separate skating sessions on Monday evenings where they could enjoy the social and recreational atmosphere offered by the rink. That was limiting to a certain night, not any nights or afternoon. Many rinks did the same way and many faced controversy. (look up many profiles especially in Ohio that faced such controversy and violence were met at the rinks).
Later on, roller skating declined at the Expo Hall so every once in while they did skate there.
This article said the rink was renamed several times. But mainly two were well known and most established. Anybody know more names, please let me know and I will add on this profile. Thank you. I supposed they did continue to skate until the fire.
After the rink was closed in 1988, it became storage facility for the Casino-hotel-race track.
The Interior.
Likely Hardwood Maple floor, entire floor on second floor of the Expo-Hall. It was designed to raise above the disastrously Ohio River flooding that they are prone to.
Milam Roller Rink: They had Hardwood Maple floor, entire facility. They were on second floor because of the flood. It was pretty basic interior I believe with massive room inside. It also had balcony around the rink above.
Wheeling Roller Rink:
They did add a dropped ceiling, fresh lighting, and more durable reinforcement girders. Those were the addition to everything described for Milam Roller Rink.
The Exterior.
The concrete building was Free-Span Steel Trapezoidal (B or Parallel) Trusses, Concrete - Walled State Fair Arena - like Building. They had sloping concrete ramp to reach second floor and it was quite a walk up. They made it about 12 Feet high or more to reach. It is like walking into a major sports arena or stadium to reach upper level. Quite a walk.
The roof was not quite standard Gabled but not quite Segmental Arch either. It was arched on each side of the roof in center with flat 3rd floor on each side for observation for patrons of the rink or for the Fair to enjoy seeing the fair or Ohio River. The island is kind of Ace of Spade shape of sort on each end of the island with Interstate-70 (East-West) running through the middle of the island.
The Stats:
Beginners Rink Size: 15' x 180'. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Main Rink Size: 60' x 215. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1924. Renovations: 1932 (Likely by Cecil Milam), 1944 (war effort), 1945 (returned and upgraded), 1988 (other uses). Demolished: 31 December 2019 by Fire.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trapezoidal (B or Parallel) Trusses, Concrete - Walled State Fair Arena - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A. (They had one but brand is unknown).
Operated: (Overall)-- 1924 to 1988.
Wheeling Island Roller Rink: 1924 ? to 1932.
Milam Roller Rink: 1932 to 13 May 1944.
Wheeling Roller Rink: 13 May 1944 to 1988.
Casino-Hotel: 1988 to 31 December 2019 (As storage)
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wheeling Island Roller Rink: N/A.
Milam Roller Rink: Cecil Milam sold to focus on his rink in Washington, PA.
Wheeling Roller Rink: N/A.
Casino-Hotel: Fire destroyed the rink.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
WeeLunk - Article about the building history after a massive fire destroyed the former rink.
Flickr - photo of interior of rink.
WSAZ 3 - Fire destroyed the rink.
KOLA 2 Pittsburgh - Fire destroyed the rink.
The Intelligeneer - Structure still there for 10 months after fire, no clean up.
The Intelligeneer - Quick report about fire, structure collapsed shortly after 6:30 PM.
WTRF - Report about the fire destroyed the former rink.
WOWKTV 13 - Report about fire destroyed the former rink.
WV History - Postcard.
Ohio County Public Library - Postcards.
Abandoned Online - About the fair, and the Expo-Hall.
Billboard - 25 July 1942, page 54, 3rd Column.
Billboard - 01 August 1942, page 45. 1st Column (near bottom).
Billboard - 20 May 1944, page 44. 2nd Column.
Date of issue: 27 January 2022.
For office use only: 16.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
Its humble beginning was in 1924 when the West Virginia Exposition and State Fair Association as part of the state fairgrounds built the building. In fact, The Exposition Hall was built on an elevated foundation to help protect it from periodic Ohio River flooding. In addition to the spacious hall, there was a dirt racetrack, stables and a small amusement park on the fairgrounds. The photographs would show evidence of location of the rink at upper floor.
Roller skating did not start there until 1932.
The exhibition building housed a roller rink for most of its existence until the final call rang out in 1988.
The owner of the rink sold in 1944 was none other than Cecil Milam who owned a rink in Washington, PA, the Washington Roller Rink-then-Arena Recreation Center. Cecil later sold Milam to focus on the Arena Recreation Center because he expanded that rink in Pennsylvania. Besides, what a drive between two rinks between those states with Maryland in between Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
After Cecil Milam sold the rink to focus on the rink in Washington, PA, the Schreyer family from Johnstown, Pennsylvania purchased the rink. William Schreyer and his business partner, Richard B. Young owned the rink and saw an opportunity to expand in a new location. Likely to be relocated. The sale was at toward end of World War II-- 1944-45.
However, due to massive wartime, there were complications because many buildings were needed for war effort. The rink building was leased out to the Hoover Company (is that the same company that made vacuum cleaners?) to manufacture war supplies.
The roller skating business would have to take a temporary backseat for the sake of war effort. The William Schreyer and the Hoover Company were able to reach an agreement that the rink, now named the Wheeling Roller Rink, would remain in operation until the weekend after Hoover took possession of the property. But William moved the rink to the second floor of the Market Auditorium that was located on the Market Plaza.
That location at the Market Auditorium was temporary until the end of the War. Likely a few months until Summer 1945.
After the War, it was returned back to the expo hall, the original location but the Wheeling Downs and the Exposition Hall were purchased by notable Wheeling business owner and purported mobster “Big Bill” Lias.
William Schreyer leased the hall from Lias and returned the rink to the Expo Hall building. Schreyer upgraded the rink infrastructure during that time, adding a dropped ceiling, fresh lighting and more durable reinforcement girders.
After the War ended in 1945, because of lack of willpower to purchase televisions, roller skating business was at its peak and was popular.
Times were very different and difficult during before desegregation and women’s liberation. Weekday afternoon skating sessions were marketed for housewives wishing to maintain their girlish figures in an effort to hold the attention of their husbands. In another word, because they did not work in businesses and factories after the War, many stayed home but skating was excellent fitness. Remember, not many fitness centers at the time. Women skated to slim down to make them feel sexy and beautiful.
But, the era, African-Americans had a separate skating sessions on Monday evenings where they could enjoy the social and recreational atmosphere offered by the rink. That was limiting to a certain night, not any nights or afternoon. Many rinks did the same way and many faced controversy. (look up many profiles especially in Ohio that faced such controversy and violence were met at the rinks).
Later on, roller skating declined at the Expo Hall so every once in while they did skate there.
This article said the rink was renamed several times. But mainly two were well known and most established. Anybody know more names, please let me know and I will add on this profile. Thank you. I supposed they did continue to skate until the fire.
After the rink was closed in 1988, it became storage facility for the Casino-hotel-race track.
The Interior.
Likely Hardwood Maple floor, entire floor on second floor of the Expo-Hall. It was designed to raise above the disastrously Ohio River flooding that they are prone to.
Milam Roller Rink: They had Hardwood Maple floor, entire facility. They were on second floor because of the flood. It was pretty basic interior I believe with massive room inside. It also had balcony around the rink above.
Wheeling Roller Rink:
They did add a dropped ceiling, fresh lighting, and more durable reinforcement girders. Those were the addition to everything described for Milam Roller Rink.
The Exterior.
The concrete building was Free-Span Steel Trapezoidal (B or Parallel) Trusses, Concrete - Walled State Fair Arena - like Building. They had sloping concrete ramp to reach second floor and it was quite a walk up. They made it about 12 Feet high or more to reach. It is like walking into a major sports arena or stadium to reach upper level. Quite a walk.
The roof was not quite standard Gabled but not quite Segmental Arch either. It was arched on each side of the roof in center with flat 3rd floor on each side for observation for patrons of the rink or for the Fair to enjoy seeing the fair or Ohio River. The island is kind of Ace of Spade shape of sort on each end of the island with Interstate-70 (East-West) running through the middle of the island.
The Stats:
Beginners Rink Size: 15' x 180'. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Main Rink Size: 60' x 215. Floor: N/A. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1924. Renovations: 1932 (Likely by Cecil Milam), 1944 (war effort), 1945 (returned and upgraded), 1988 (other uses). Demolished: 31 December 2019 by Fire.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trapezoidal (B or Parallel) Trusses, Concrete - Walled State Fair Arena - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: N/A.
Organ: N/A. (They had one but brand is unknown).
Operated: (Overall)-- 1924 to 1988.
Wheeling Island Roller Rink: 1924 ? to 1932.
Milam Roller Rink: 1932 to 13 May 1944.
Wheeling Roller Rink: 13 May 1944 to 1988.
Casino-Hotel: 1988 to 31 December 2019 (As storage)
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wheeling Island Roller Rink: N/A.
Milam Roller Rink: Cecil Milam sold to focus on his rink in Washington, PA.
Wheeling Roller Rink: N/A.
Casino-Hotel: Fire destroyed the rink.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
WeeLunk - Article about the building history after a massive fire destroyed the former rink.
Flickr - photo of interior of rink.
WSAZ 3 - Fire destroyed the rink.
KOLA 2 Pittsburgh - Fire destroyed the rink.
The Intelligeneer - Structure still there for 10 months after fire, no clean up.
The Intelligeneer - Quick report about fire, structure collapsed shortly after 6:30 PM.
WTRF - Report about the fire destroyed the former rink.
WOWKTV 13 - Report about fire destroyed the former rink.
WV History - Postcard.
Ohio County Public Library - Postcards.
Abandoned Online - About the fair, and the Expo-Hall.
Billboard - 25 July 1942, page 54, 3rd Column.
Billboard - 01 August 1942, page 45. 1st Column (near bottom).
Billboard - 20 May 1944, page 44. 2nd Column.
Date of issue: 27 January 2022.
For office use only: 16.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.