Mineola Fair Grounds Roller Rink, NY - Forgotten Roller Rinks of the Past

Mineola Skating Rink (Mineola Fair Grounds), So. of Old County Rd., Mineola, New York

• Operator: Earl and Inez Van Horn & Harry Bickmeyer^[1], Earl Van Horn & Harry Bickmeyer.
• Manager: Inez Van Horn^[3]
• Pro/Coach: Earl and Inez Van Horn, Jean Van Horn, Marge Hamford Walter Bickmeyer & Gladys and George Werner^[5]
• Organist: Bobbie Weeden^[6] (1949), Phil Reed.
• Floor size (Main): ^[1]
• Floor size (Beginners): ^[1]
• Floor type: Maple wood.^[7]
• Primary reason for closing: The County took over the building in 1952 & continued to lease it. By July 1960, it was demolished and to be used as a parking lot.^[9]
• Opened: 1934^[7] - June 30, 1960^[8]
(Some articles say in error that it closed in August 1960, but in July 1960 it was already being demolished.^[9])

"The Mineola Skating Rink has since been widley imitated, but it was first:"
• to install a Hammond organ.
• to use an Electric Minipiano.
• to use a Hmmond Novachord.
• to build a separate rink for beginners.
and more!^[1]

Mineola Skating Rink (Mineola Fair Grounds), So. of Old County Rd., Mineola, New York

A cattle exhibition hall that was built in 1928,
became the Mineola Skating Rink in 1934.

Large barn (lower center) became the Mineola Skating Rink in 1934.
Courtesy Mineola Historical Society.

1938 Christmas Party Souvenir Program images.^[10]

Perfectly preserved (Actual image)
License plate topper.^[10]

This may be difficult to read, so I "blew it up", directly below.

1939 Nationals.
(Cover image restoration)

1952 USARSA Nationals Ad.

1957 image courtesy Tom Bense.

1959 New York States, May 1959.

October 1959, A tragic ending for Earl Van Horn.

Some articles say in error that it closed in August 1960,
but in July 1960 it was already being demolished.

Today, only the memories remain.

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Sources

Mineola Skating Rink (Mineola Fair Grounds), So. of Old County Rd., Mineola, New York

A cattle exhibition hall that was built in 1928, became the Mineola Skating Rink in 1934.

Large barn (lower center) became the Mineola Skating Rink in 1934.Courtesy Mineola Historical Society.

1938 Christmas Party Souvenir Program images.[10]

Perfectly preserved (Actual image) License plate topper.[10]

This may be difficult to read, so I "blew it up", directly below.

1939 Nationals. (Cover image restoration)

1952 USARSA Nationals Ad.

1957 image courtesy Tom Bense.

1959 New York States, May 1959.

October 1959, A tragic ending for Earl Van Horn.

Some articles say in error that it closed in August 1960, but in July 1960 it was already being demolished.

Today, only the memories remain.

Back to top of page

Sources

A cattle exhibition hall that was built in 1928,
became the Mineola Skating Rink in 1934.

Large barn (lower center) became the Mineola Skating Rink in 1934.
Courtesy Mineola Historical Society.

1938 Christmas Party Souvenir Program images.^[10]

Perfectly preserved (Actual image)
License plate topper.^[10]

1939 Nationals.
(Cover image restoration)

Some articles say in error that it closed in August 1960,
but in July 1960 it was already being demolished.