I asked Russell Lewis, resident Chicago World’s Fair guru at the Chicago History Museum, if there was a roller rink at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, and he said no.
So, my next question becomes: Did visitors to the World’s Fair roller skate at the Chicago Roller Skating Rink, the very first roller rink in Chicago, which was built in 1880?
I have yet to run across information that showed that the rink was closed, so it’s safe to assume that it was open at that time. If it was open, did they go?
Only my research will tell….
Image: Chicago History Museum