The Rinks
The Great Chicago Roller Rinks, gone but not forgotten
Chicago was known all over the world as one of the best places to roller skate. 
The rinks were huge, they all had fabulous pipe organs and some of the most famous organists like Leon Berry, Tony Tallman, Fred Arnish played at the rinks over the years. Names like The Hub, The Axle, The Elm, Arcadia, Riverview and others were the places to be on weekend nights. Skaters dressed up for date nights and blue jeans weren't allowed. Floor guards wore tuxedo's or blue wool jackets and a Black Cow was .50 at the North Ave Rollerway.
Today, few remain and none with pipe organs. Frank Pellico, organist for the Chicago Blackhawks still plays at Aurora Skate Center and Orbit Skate Center along with Carl DeSanti who was a student of Tony Tallman and has gone on to become one of Chicago's favorite keyboardists with his vocal partner Kenned.
We hope you enjoy your visit, sign our Guestbook and let us know where you grew up skating in Chicago.