The Hub Roller Rink

Became the Axle in 1974 and Closed October 31, 1985

Much of this was put together by Frank Randall. It has since been reorganized and added to by many skaters that send me photos, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or snail mail. - Sandra Levin, Orbit Skate Center

The History of the Hub Roller Rink

The Hub opened October 27, 1950 at 4510 N. HARLEM AVE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS in an area that at that time was quite desolate. For those who know Chicago today, this area is now a mass of malls and shopping activity. At that time there was nothing between the Roller Rink and Irving Park Road. At the corner of that intersection was The Harlem Outdoor Theater, and across the street the State Police HQ. South of Irving Park were some small stores and a few restaurants where many of the Roller Rink Junkies hung out after closing time.

Today, you can still take the kids to the "Hub" for some family fun... but it is not a Roller Skating Rink. It is now a fun indoor amusement park called JEEPERS.

The HUB was a Giant in the Roller Rink World, and it was the home of a Giant Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, originally played by Leon Berry, recently deceased.

Became the Axle in 1974 and Closed October 31, 1985

The skating area was probably about 275 feet long and some 95 feet wide, and that excludes the area outside the rails that enclosed the main rink. The Program included All Skate, Couples Only, Waltz, Fox Trot, a few fancy dances such as Collegiate and 14 step, and then there was the ROMP! That was when the fun began, it was wild with groups of skaters hands joined whipping around the floor..

Then there were the Guards, Bob the head guard, alias the Sheriff, Roy, Troy, George, Elmer, Rich, Jack etc.. and not to be forgotten the lady guard, Murph...

HOME OF THE GIANT WURLITZER PIPE ORGAN

The Hub was a meeting place for many young folks from the Chicago area. Monday was party night and it was often filled to overflow when schools such as St. Mels High School had their Parties..
The rink was open every night and had matinees Saturday and Sunday. Weekends always found huge crowds, some who never even put on a pair of skates. The lobby area was almost as big as the rink. It had a large oval snack bar, probably 40 feet long, in the center of the lobby. Around the outside walls were cloak rooms, shoe skate rentals, skate sales, skate repairs as well as a small dance floor and a juke box. This is what attracted the non skaters to the Hub.

Oh there were the usual games, shuffleboard, very popular then, and the shooting gallery next to the skate repair room. the entire lobby was separated from the rink by a two story office and cloak room with the only access to the rink through an opening in the center.

THIS INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MR. CHARLIE BENDLER

William (Bill) Benson, Jean's late husband, and I (Charlie) planned the lay-out of the rink and submitted it to a registered architect who drew up the working drawings for the approval of the County Building Commission. We acted as our own general contractors, with Bill Benson supervising the actual construction. There were 15 roof trusses shipped, knocked down, in box cars from Portland, Oregon. When assembled on the job site, these trusses were 108ft. long. When you consider the the trusses were 1-1/2ft. on their pilasters and the aisles on the sides of the rink were 5ft. wide, that leaves 95ft. for the width of the skating surface. The trusses were placed on 21ft. centers. That means that there were 16 bays at 21ft., totaling 336ft. for the length of the building. If you subtract 65ft. for the lobby and check rooms and offices, you are left with some 271ft. You really down-sized us, Frank. Bob Hageman, the one with the Corvette, made up an album for me, probably in late 50's, with 14 picture of various places around the rink. One of them is of Leon Berry and some of the rules of admission. If my memory serves me right, this is some of the work that your father done for us. I have given these pictures to Lon for transmitting to you. I hope that you are pleased with them.