Whittier's Beautiful Skateland, 12520 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, California
(Later known as Skateland Whittier.)

• Operator: Fran Wharram, John & Joan Shayman^[1] (1955 - 1984), John Shayman, Pat Fitzgerald (1984 - 1986), Pat Fitzgerald (1986 - 2000)^[2], Joe Franco (2001 - 2006)^[3]
• Manager: ^[?]
• Pro/Coach: Peggy & Bill Cannon^[1], Bob Labriola^[4]
• Organist: ^[?]
• DJ: Tom Oliver, Jos Hardy^[2]
• Floor size: 170' x 70'^[1]
• Floor type: Fan style pattern (see photos), Maple wood^[5]
• Primary reason for closing: "Air pollution seeping into Skateland Whittier, from the frormer Omega Chemical Corp."^[3]
• Opened: Dec 1955^[1] - 2006^[3]

Rink has been demolished as part of a federally mandated environmental cleanup project.^[3]

Facebook Group
The Construction.
Original logo^[5]

Love that neon.^[5]

The original Skateland owners:
Francis Wharram, Phyllis Wharram & John W. Shayman.
Photos courtesy Kathryn (Shayman) Chee.

More 1950's
Our rink's original decor was Hawaiian themed with a water fountain in the carpeted lobby and tiki heads on the lobby walls. Water actually flowed from the fountain!
The main skating floor was a high quality maple wood.
The entrance sign was Neon and not easy to see in the photo taken in the daytime.
I believe our rink was one of the first "luxury rinks" in Southern California.
Courtesy Kathryn (Shayman) Chee.

A better view of the Hawaiian Lounge.^[5]

Happy Birthday.

These skaters are wearing the original Skateland logo.^[5]

Published in 1958.^[5]

RSROA dinner.
At the second table to the left, is John Shayman (far left)
Whittier Skateland, Bud Van Roeckel- Skate Ranch,
Francis and Phyllis Wharram- Whittier Skateland
and Mrs. Van Roeckel (looking over her shoulder)
- Skate Ranch, Santa Ana.^[5]
1959 Skating Show

Images from the 2005 Website

"Our rink walls are the most unique in the Nation, each an original
hand-painted artwork with an exclusive 1950's theme"

"Our 1950's decor includes many figures of famous stars, themed television murals
and actual classic records (remember those mom and dad?)"

The end comes in 2006

Then and Now.

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