Roll-Land, 942 Boston-Providence Highway - Rte. 1, Norwood, Massachusetts

• Operator: Charles, John and Peter Santoro[1]
• Manager: [?]
• Pro/Coach: Carl Russo[3], Don Homans, Jack & Elaine Breen, Paul McNeil, Patricia Graney, Marion MacDonald, Elena Oak, Gary Boreham, Doris Walsh, Elaine Hanley, David Tassinari[4] and Patricia Bowes(1960).
• Organist: Ira Bates[3], Gene Palazzi, John Powers[10] (mid to late 60's), Margie Patten[4]
• Floor size: 70' x 170'
• Floor type: Maple wood.
• Opened (Original rink): 1938[1] - 1942[6]
• Primary reason for closing: Fire, but reopened soon after.[6]
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Roll-Land, rebuilt after fire.
• Opened: 1942[7] - March 1962[8]
• Primary reason for closing: Fire, totally destroyed.[8]
(Another fire during the rebuilding July 1962.)[9]
"In 1957 a group of skaters arrived with a number of disabled children among them, who could only sit and watch. Charles started thinking about what kind of activity these children could enjoy, so he created an 18 hole mini golf course in the land behind the rink in time for their next visit in the fall of '58."[2]
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Roll-Land, completely rebuilt after fire.
• Opened: 1963[5] - 2000[1]




Margie Patten at the organ - Gold Test 1993

Original Roll-Land, pictured at top, opened in 1938.

In June 1942, Roll-Land rink & bowling alley burned,
but on August 19, 1942 skating had started again.[3]



Skate Magazine - February 1960




In March 1962, Roll-Land rink & bowling alley burned and was a complete loss.





In July 1962, while being rebuilt, Roll-Land's roof caught fire.




By 1963, Roll-Land rink was back!


Courtesy, Norwood Historical Society, link above.




Paul McNeil, Pat Graney, Charlie Santoro,
Elaine (Johnson) Breen, Jackie Breen




In 1970, I was still new in the competitive world,
so I was just there to film, watch and learn.




Roll-Land Alumni - Courtesy Stephen Mills


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