If you have anything you would like to see here, drop me a line. Click Here

Send us old photos you might have!.

It was so nice to hear from you, and bring back some old wonderful memories. Nice chatting with you.
Regards, Marilynn

Tom Muldoon
CUPID STRIKES AT THE HUB.....AGAIN!!!

Hello, Yes, I did skate at the Hub Roller Rink. In fact, I met my wife while skating at the Hub in 1957. I found your site of interest and wish you good luck and success with it.

Louise Salata
Remember the hub. Did go there, but as a Girl Scout Leader. We would rent rink for Sat. mornings. Girls sure had fun. I can only remember one time that turned out bad. One of he girls fell, and broke her arm.

Barb Leors
Frank, I enjoyed your web site...it sure brought back memories....I used to live in the area of Addison St. & Pulaski and always went to the Hub....what fun....I remember a hot dog stand at Harlem and Addison sts...called Josies...what great dogs...Knew them for many years....best to your web site

I especially remember the great organist and some of the special events, like a wedding on wheels, with the minister on wheels and looking a bit worried. I'll bet he never forgot that wedding. And the skating floor: terrific. I also remember how perfectly awful we girls looked in the restroom mirrors, thanks to the fluorescent lighting. Every one looked rather green. I always hoped that we didn't look that bad on the rink.  Another memory was how we tried to individualize and accessorize our skates: glow in the dark pom-poms, crazy laces, sparkle dust on the pom-poms and skates (looked great for those "moonlight"dances with the mirrored disco ball spinning), and decorating our skate cases with decals and hand painted personal touches. Then there is the memory of how scared I was the first time someone invited me to skate the waltz, and I thought surely I'd fall on my face doing the turns. But thanks to the excellent skating and leading ability of my partner, I remained upright and felt that I had personally conquered Mount Everest.

And remember those "hot doggers" who hung out in the center oval and made us all jealous with their fancy figures and steps? I also never could figure out how the rink guards could spend all that time skating backwards!  I had fun looking at your website. That is the first time I have thought about the Hub (I had even forgotten the name) in years. It was good clean fun and great exercise.

I got to thinking about something that was really fun and not mentioned on you page re: the organ and Leon Berry. Do you remember (at least in the early to mid 50's) that there were percussion instruments attached near the pipes across from the organ console. Leon could make the puppet like figure (can't remember if it was a stuffed animal or what) really bang the rhythm on the drum, and have bells and tambourines shaking as well.

I graduated from Steinmetz HS in January of 1956 and my friends and I probably skated there less than a dozen times during the mid 50's. Two of my friends at that time were Barb Watson and Dorothy Bogot (deceased). I especially remember the music of Leon Berry and how the flaps on the wall opened and closed to the music. I used to have Leon Berry's LP but not sure if I still do, after moving to NM and having to downsize my 35 years of collecting stuff. Now I really must dig through all the old records I have stored out in our shed.

I did not meet my husband at the Hub, but we spent many Saturday nights at the Outdoor Theater while we were dating. My dad had a grocery store on the corner of Oak Park and Diversey. It would be nice to hear from someone from the area. The Hub was a very special place! I have made a bookmark of your website and will continue to monitor it for updates. Good luck in your endeavors to preserve the memories of the Hub.

Tom Leaton
Mr. Randall: I stumbled on your website by accident. I recently ran across a Leon Berry phonograph record. Then I started recalling my one visit to the Hub Rink as a child; and the web browser led me here. You've done a nice job on your web page. I often wish that I could take my kids to see that kind of rink, and to let them hear firsthand the beautiful and distinctive organ music that Mr. Berry was capable of creating. Regards, Tom Leaton

Jim Billingsley  Steinmetz, class of 1952
Hi Frank, As a matter of fact I spent many hours at the Hub myself during the late 50's and early 60's. It was a great place. My wife and I skated completely from 1979 through 1988. During that time we skated in rinks all around the country, but the Hub was where it started for me. I really enjoyed your page and will keep it in my favorite places. Don't know if I can help you with any info concerning the hub, but will be happy to if I can.

Mike Wager
Hi Frank...Yes I went to the HUB from the time I was a Freshman -1954 to about 1958--- (through out high-school -- Elmwood Park).. We probably even exchanged a few words... Had a few girlfriends from there to --- one in particular Janet Nasby who went to Steinmetz..

Keep in touch--- & if you run into Janet or Tiny or Tillie
or any of my old friends --- let me know,,,

Marshall Ellenstein
FRANK, What a nice surprise!!! I was a regular at the Hub from 1956-60. But I mainly came for the dancing. The Hub had the best jitterbuggers in the city. I'd love to see (and dance) with them now. I am a member of the Chicago Windy City Jitterbug Club and go to the "HOP" on Tuesdays and Weds but don't skate anymore. You might be interested to know that one of the managers of the HUB, Bill Kohn, is a member of the CWCJC and his car plate is HUB 84. Marshall Ellenstein Bill Kohn is supposed to get in touch with you ( if he hasn't already ). He is also a member of the CWCJC. The CWCJC stands for Chicago Windy City Jitterbug Club. We have dances twice a month and I dance also Tuesdays and Weds. I'd love to dance with some of the "skirts" from the Hub. They were the best dancers besides skaters. Can you put my name, email name and a litte note on your website so maybe there are still some girls around Chicago who would like to dance? marshall ellenstein

Sue (Hindman) Schneider

Unfortunately, I don't have any great Hub experiences. I remember going there on a few dates in high school. The only interesting thing that happened was that I was skating with one guy and with the way the wind blew my hair back while skating, he discovered a hickey on my neck from another guy I was dating. Sounds gross. I told him it was a bruise and he seemed to believe me. Hope you find some good stories about the Hub. I look forward to hearing about them.

Marge (Kozuk) Montes

Hello, Received you email. The hub brings back memories. We use to go there every Saturday in the 50's and met all our friends there. I mostly went when I was in Grammar School, I went to Canty and High School was Steinmetz.

William Schumacher

Our group spent little time at the Hub and I was only there two or three times. We lived near Foster and Austin in fact it was at 5225 Marmora Ave. I went to Hitch Grade School and Taft and Lane Tech. High School. Reading the comments from some of the others who mentioned the Harlem Ave. Outdoor Theater brought back many memories. I worked there as an usher. We were the ones who had to kick out all the people after the show was over. Most everyone who worked there was from our neighborhood or went to school with us. Many times after work we would climb to the top of the screen just to look out over the area. The time line was between 1953 and 1958. If we come across any pictures of the Hub we'll send them.

Alice M Gilbert

I REALLY WAS AT THE HUB ONLY ONCE ON A DATE. MY GIRLFRIEND & I WENT TO RIVERVIEW RINK.EVERY FRIDAY NITE. ENJOYED YOU SIGHT WILL CHECK BACK EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO SEE IF ANYTHING NEW HAS BEEN ADDED. MY HUSBAND USE TO HANG OUT THERE JUST TO PICK UP GIRLS, JIM GILBERT WENT TO AUSTIN WE ARE LOOKING FOR A TOM SMITH AND BOB COLLINS IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THEM LET ME KNOW.

Ray

HI Frank, I saw your site and it brought back memories of the Drive In and the fun we had there also, I will try and tax's my memory of the Hub and I will send you a picture of the skate case with the decal. Ray from Alabama Boy you are really taxing my memory (40yrs.), I have to give it some thought. I still have my skates and case with a decal of the Hub on it. I do not have any pictures.

Bill Mueller class of 49

Hi Frank, Used to go to the Hub. Went into the Navy in 51, got out in 55, married with two kids. Went to work and didn't skate much after that.

Edward Thomas
My Father also used to work at the Hub, late 50's and early 60's, he worked at the coat room and skate guard, His name was Gordon Thomas. He died in 1984. Sincerely, Edward Thomas

Diana
Thank you for sharing this Hub site with everyone. I was so pleasantly shocked, when I came across it. Well, I am 42 yrs. I skated at the hub in the 60's. My parents (Lois Raber and Hank Mulch), like alot of other couples, met at the Hub, and married. My Mother Lois, still has wooden roller wheels, and of course the metal skating case too. so this is the little trivia on how 2 people were meant to be together..........

My Dad and Mom used to skate frequently at the Hub in the early 50's. My Dad would ask my Mom Lois to skate(they knew all the dances on skates), they liked each other alot. Well my Dad Hank, asked my mother where she lived, my mother replied , Maywood. Hank said no more. In his mind, that was way to far from where he lived in the heart of Chicago. So, they both ended up going steady with other people.

My Mom (Lois) had to quit going to the Hub for awhile, two years to be exact (For lack of transportation). Lois went back with her new boyfriend, and low and behold, Hank was at the Hub, with his girlfriend. So, as the story goes, the two people they each were dating, ended up dating each other, and My parents ended up dating each other, (now Lois lived close to Hank), both couples were very close friends for life.

The Hub was really a love connection in itself. Of course when I skated at the Hub, I was about 8-12yrs old. I don't know why, but I remember it well. Sadly the the two guys that swapped girlfriends (Frank Wright...and Hank "Henry" Mulch) passed away at an early age Frank 55, and Henry 46. My Dad may have passed away, but the memory of him skating at the best rink ever, "The Hub" and how he taught me to skate there,will never die. Now, my Mother and I skate at a place called Skateland, in Tempe AZ. Tuesday nights are adult night, no one under 18yrs can be admitted. However, it is still the good ol' folks that are there. It seems more like, no one under the age of 40 can be admitted, since I am the youngest one there at age 42, and I love the 'ol folks. It's not "The Hub", but oh, how I wish it could be.

The memories of the Hub, and that organ music, is still there, in the archives of my mind, but I have access of those archives in an instant, and what a beautiful place to be........I really appreciate your web site, it is by far the best one, I've come across. Oh yes, I am very biased, but with very good reason. Plz do reply, I would very much like to surprise my Mom, Lois, with a picture of "THE HUB".

Again, Thank you, sincerely Diana ...

Beverly Shine
Marilyn Brandt gave me this site, we used to go to the Hub in our High school days. When I was a little girl my parents both worked at the Hub part time. You know how it was in those days, to buy a house a man had to have two jobs. His name was Roy Shine, he worked in the parking lot and sometimes on the floor, my uncle also worked there (Maurice Shine), and my mom worked in the soda fountain, Jane Shine.

Anyway thanks for putting this site together, I will see if I have any old pix you can use.

All the best, Beverly Shine - - (Class of the 1950's)

Remember that the Old Timers Reunion is the first Saturday of every October at The Orbit!