79 Years Ago
The November 1, 1945 Colorado Transcript announced the opening of a new roller skating rink. It was opening in the Labor Temple (the former Golden Plunge swimming pool, and the future Buffalo Rose Events Center). This wasn’t Golden’s first skating rink, nor was it the last.
Golden’s first roller skating rink opened in 1872 on the second floor of Harrison’s Hall (now Creekside Jewelers, Avenue Vision, and Del’s Tonsorial). In 1883 there was a rink in the “Old Loveland Block.” (I think this building was at 13th and Washington; I don’t have a photo.) This one was so successful that the owner doubled the size and installed a new floor. A competitor began construction of a second rink at 12th and Ford Streets.
In 1907, the second floor of the Golden Opera House (now the Ace Hi) opened for roller skating. The Transcript commented that “It seems that roller skating has returned for a good long stay, as it is now popular all over the country.” The plan was to have the rink open every evening unless the hall was rented for a private function. Indeed, it must have been popular, because a second rink was opened on the north side of the Creek. In 1911, still another rink was opened in the Bella Vista Hotel (12th & Jackson–demolished in 1920).
In 1945, World War II had ended and people were looking for recreation. Clarence From, who had operated a roller rink before the War, decided to open one in Golden.
In 1960, Golden built the current municipal center, including City Hall, Police & Fire Departments, Museum, and Library. The first building completed was the new recreation center, which was built in connection with an outdoor pool. One of the major uses of the new rec. center was roller skating. The center offered lessons as well as open skate times.
In the mid-1990s, the City built a new recreation center, sans roller skating rink. The old one became our current library.
Thank you to Wendy Weiman for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of November.
