I need stories and memories from our roller skating neighbors in Gary, Indiana. I know that people from Chicago used to go to Indiana to skate, but I want to hear from people who lived and skated in Gary.
If your roller skated at any of the following rinks, please share your memories in the comment box below.
- Screamin’ Wheels
- Tri-City
- Barbara’s Playhouse
- Regina’s
A Little Indiana Roller Skating History
The Silver Rollerway was the earliest roller rink I found in Gary. It was opened in 1935 on North Avenue and River Road by Steve and Verlin Seipp.
Also, Regina’s, Barbara’s Playhouse and Screamin’ Wheels were all black-owned roller rinks.
Many Thanks
Many thanks to Calvin for being a HUGE supporter of my roller skating research and sharing his time, knowledge and old pluggers and flyers with me.
Were you a resident of Indiana who roller skated in Indiana?
Also, what are the names of other rinks where you skated?
Please share your memories in the comment section below.
Image: www.addictinginfo.org
Hello All
Al is my name. I started skating @ screaming wheels somewhere around 1978. (app 15 years old at the time)
I experienced an early addiction to skating that only another skater can relate to. I have very fond memories of Screaming wheels in the late 80’s all the way to its last days of operation and the “adult” entertainment that was provided right after the 7 to 11 session on Sundays (Approximately 1998). During those years I skated a minimum of 4 times a week.
As an update: I totally stopped skating around 1999 (right after screaming wheels closed) but somewhere around 2008 I started back and now I am very happy to report (at 53 years old) for the past 8 years or so the addiction has kicked back in , I’m currently skating twice a week (Glenwood) and enjoy skating just as much now as 30 years ago.
I skated at Screamin Wheels in the 70′ and 80’s. I remember before the movie with Bow Wow “Roll Bounce” That was my life way before the movie. I was about 15 years old when I skated against a guy about 25 years old. The finals came down to me and him. I decided to let him go first and I went last so he won’t see my best skate moves. Well it was my turn as the crowd cheered for me. The outcome was a lot different then Roll Bounce. I skated around the floor doing dance moves, spins, splits as I rolled across the floor. Last but not least the final move that seal my faith, a front flip that made the crowd go wild. I won “Best Male Disco Skater 1979. The contest was held at Tri-City Roller Rink, but I skated at Screamin Wheels. We use to skate so good we use to wear suits on Sunday. The ladies were impressed as they watched from the wall. The couple skates was the best because the girls love to skate with the best skaters. There were a lot of different skate groups back then. We were the “Royal Rollers”. I still skate today 50 years and counting. My daughter who is 25 now is a great skater in the Women Roller Derby Leagues for an Austin, Texas Team. She used to skate for the Houston team also. My daughter’s derby name is “Freight Train” Google search her and you will see for yourself. I posted on my Facebook they are having a Screamin Wheels Reunion in February 20, 2016 10 PM to 2 AM. I will be there coming from Houston Texas. I may invite my daughter.
I remember going to the “Black Cat roller rink” on the south side of Rt 6 in Glen Park in the middle to late 50s. Does anyone else remember going there?
I remember going to the “Black Cat roller rink” on the south side of Rt 6 in Glen Park in the middle to late 50s.
I was a big time Screaming Wheels skater. But start on 25 Broadway so long ago forgot the name of the Rinks…
Hey Dan! The two other roller rinks I know of are Barbara’s and Regina’s. Did you skate at one of those rinks?
I skated at Barbara playhouse, Screaming Wheels and Tri-City. If u skated at any of these rinks u could skate anywhere. U was rolling with the best.
Ms. Ruby, you skated at ALL three? Let’s chat. I’ll e-mail you my information.
I used to go to Screamin Wheels from the age of 5 till at least 17 or 18. I went with my four cousins and my aunt. This wss the bomb for us because we could hang with friends, dance, play video games, and of course skate! These were great memories growing up, too bad the violence stopped us from going. I still miss Screamin Wheels though, we grew up there!
Greg, thanks for stopping through. Were you a good skater or a casual skater? Who were some of the better skaters that you can remember?