An advertisement that appeared in the Lykens Standard, October 7, 1921, for the new roller skating rink in Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Novelty Roller Skating Rink
A PLACE TO GO TO
TROUT LOT, Foot Market Street
OPEN NOW
Try this for Health Giving Exercise
Instructions to all Beginners
GOOD MUSIC, GOOD SKATES
Experienced Management
Catering to Ladies and Gentlemen only
Two Sessions Daily Except Sunday
Afternoon, 3 to 5:15 — Evening, 7:15 to 9:30
Kiddies session, under 14 years, 9:30 to 11:30, Saturday A. M. — 25 cents
Admission, 10 cents. Skates, 25 cents.
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The story behind the opening of the rink appeared in the same edition of the Standard:
NOVELTY ROLLER RINK OPENS IN LYKENS
A large enthusiastic crowd attended the opening Wednesday evening at the Roller Rink. There were the usual bumps and falls, lots of excitement for those who didn’t care to skate.
The rink is under the management of P. L. Briggs, of Detroit, Michigan, who has had years of experience in catering to the public. He says he will leave nothing undone to make the Rink Lykens‘ favorite pastime.
There is a police officer in attendance at each session to insure order and attention. The rink is beautifully decorated and has good skates and music.
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There were no other references to this rink in later editions of the Lykens Standard… until columnist C. L Peters brought up a memory about a roller rink in his column, February 10, 1966:
Do you remember when “Chap” Seal had a roller skating rink at the entrance to the Glen? “Chappie” as he was known, erected and ran a small rink at the place where the memorial monument now stands. He ran it for two summers before the novelty wore off.
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At time of this writing, nothing more is known about this rink, referred to as the Novelty Roller Skating Rink in the ad. What was the exact location of the rink? How long was it in existence? Who was W. L. Briggs? And, who was “Chap” Seal?
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Articles from Newspapers.com.
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