I am on a mission to find out about Chicago’s roller skating history and Black roller skating in Chicago. Because my goal is to write a book about my findings, I will not be sharing the sources of information at this time. However, please trust that I am on point with the information I share.
Chicago’s First Roller Skating Rink
The first roller skating rink in Chicago I found was the Chicago Roller Skating Rink located at Congress and Michigan which is in the Chicago Loop area. It opened in November 1880.
Black Indoor Roller Skating in Chicago
I don’t know when black people first started skating in Chicago (if you find out, please let me know). I do know that black people were first able to roller skate indoors in Chicago in December 1938 at The Savoy Ballroom in the Black Metropolis. More details are available at Marcie Writes.
Roller Skating in the United States
After making the two discoveries above, I naturally started wondering when roller skating began in the United States. I contacted James Vannurden,the Director & Curator at the National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln Nebraska for more information. (Who knew this place existed??). Read the history he shared.
“James Plimpton of New York City patented his first skate in January of 1863. He founded the NYRSA (New York Roller Skating Association). He was in the furniture business and built a skating floor in his offices. He leased out skates, not selling, and promoted the activity to the local clergy and city officials as an activity for young men and women, not the masses as a whole. In 1866 the NYRSA leased the Atlantic House, a resort in Newport, Rhode Island, and converted the dining area into a skating floor. Members and their guests attended. This became the first rink open to the public. Through his international contacts at the Atlantic House, skating spread globally.”
Do you have information about roller skating rink history in other states? What about other countries?
Image: ragtimepiano
I recall the savoy as a chld and im 65 in one month
Hi Gloria, what do you recall about The Savoy? All memories would be helpful.
Now it appears that there were multiple Savoy rinks. There was also one located on 62nd and Cottage Grove. This was a converted movie theater that as best as I can recall was called the Tivoli or Tevoli not sure.
However the organists went out to Art’s when it closed. So now if a history you want. They had skating in Altgeld Gardens in what was the “B
Building I think. This had to have been late fifties early sixties. Again this is as best as I can recall.
Hi Verdel, You’re right. The original savoy was on 47th & South Park which is now King Drive. Another was opened on 60-something, and the third one was on 78th & Cottage, across from Leake Funeral Home.
I actually interviewed a gentleman that roller skated in Altgeld Gardens. I’m going to set up a page for roller skating memories in Altgeld.
Hi Felisha, Savoy Roller Rink was located on 78th and Cottage Grove, east side of the street where A R Leak parking lot is. I’m in my mid 60s and still skating.
I remember as a child going to a roller rink called the Savoy. It was somewhere east on 71st in Chicago. Then There Was The Arts roller rink in Harvey, Illinois.
Hi Felisha, who did you go to The Savoy and Arts with?
My dad. He taught me to skate, he was the best skater. At one time he skated in the roller derby.