Long before video games, iPods, television or movie theaters, our ancestors with additional leisure time were discovering new forms of entertainment. What was called ’dry-landing skating’ or roller skating became a popular pastime. This led to the development of the public roller or skating rinks all across the United States and other nations. By the 1880s, the roller rinks were everywhere and became the showplace for expert skaters to demonstrate their skills. The downside was that many times our ancestors were even discouraged from participating at the roller rink because they were so tired the next day at work.
The term‘rinkulate’ came into fashion in the mid-1880s as illustrated with a reference to it in the Fulton Times newspaper of New York in 1885. It stated a polite inquire would be, “Do you rinkulate this evening?”
Roller Skating Fad of the 1880s
Special news would appear in the local papers relating to the skating rinks and its patrons. For example in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper of February 1885, it stated:
- “Telephone girls are forbidden to roller skate in New York.” (Reason, they came to work tired.)
- “A new rink on Lexington Avenue New York has a skating surface 100 x 330 feet. It is called the coliseum.”
- “The rink managers in Rochester, N. Y., prohibit gentlemen skating who do not appear in full dress evening suite. - Boston Globe“.
- “The sudden and remarkable growth of the roller skating pastime has created a constantly increasing demand for a certain size of boxwood for rollers.”
This fun activity was referred to as a form poetry in motion. It was popular with couples and groups, with special music becoming centered around skating. New songs such as “Roller Waltz”, “Fun On Roller Skates - Polka”, “Roller Skate Galop”, “Roller Skaters - The Gallopade Racket“ and “Girl On The Roller Skates” were samples of music that were all the rage in the 1880s.
It was a new sport for participates and spectators to enjoy. Other community entertainment would be dances, theater or entertaining people at home, however with the exciting skating rinks for the amateur and professional skating, here was something very different. Special skating dresses for women, allowed more freedom of movement, so increasing its popularity by the 1880s.
Admission was reasonable, from 15 cents to 50 cents per person, with many of the rinks offering specials throughout the week. Music, with live bands, was an important part of the skating rink.
Individuals became so proficient at skating they became professional performers touring, showing off their trick and fancy skating. Even somersaults and handsprings were done in skates.
The rink owners come up with new ideas to keep the public's interest. There were special theme nights. One night might be carnival night, where the public skater came dressed wearing marks and costumes.
In every large or small community, some type of skating rink was constructed. Some more elaborate than others. Several businessmen saw another market in the African-American population and constructed rinks just for the black community. During the 1880s, there may have been over 20 millions dollars spent in building-maintaining these rinks with 3,000 rinks across America.
The community rink became a desirable place for young couples to meet and spend time together. Many new romances, then marriages developed from those hours spent skating in circles.
Scandalous Downside
The down side was that many individuals were against this new favorite pastime. Spending time at the skating rinks, they did not go to the live theater performances. With a decline in church attendance, there were many letters to civic leaders calling for the closing down of the rinks, people fearing scandal involving the social morals of America’s youth.
From New York Times newspaper, March 11, 1885 issue this article, “The roller skating rink craze has demoralized the theatrical business ... to such an extent that managers say the season of 1885 has been the poorest on record.” Even lowering ticket prices for the theater was not enough to draw in customers. Saloons, billiard and pool rooms were lacking business.
In the Indiana Weekly newspaper of May 27, 1885, it reported that six roller rinks had just burned to the ground in various locations in Iowa. The authorities were blaming indignant wives, scandalized husbands and irate fathers.
So it is not surprising as quickly that roller skating rinks became popular, they also did a speedy decline. Besides those who had disapproved of the sport, there were newer activities for Americans to focus on. Bicycling came into its own, becoming a popular activity for males and females of all ages. Semiprofessional baseball became popular, a great spectator sport for the whole family. This first boom for roller skating ended quickly but would be reborn again in the 20th century with less scandal.
 |
 |
