Credit: Cleveland Memory Project and Cleveland Press
Many a Clevelander loves and remembers the old Cleveland Rollercade, the indoor skating rink that lived on Denison Avenue from 1941 to 1968. With the help of this amusing (albeit grainy) video uploaded to YouTube by user ROLLER rewind, relive some of the Rollercade’s glory days like when nights out cost less than a buck and all the cool kids scooted around on wheels.
Alaina Nutile is the Web Editor who oversees all digital content and social media initiatives for Cleveland Scene Magazine and Detroit Metro Times. Before joining the staff in June 2013, she interned at Business Insider in New York City, and at La Hora in Quito, Ecuador. Alaina is a graduate of Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where she double majored in English and Spanish. Her interests include Japanese food, Breaking Bad, and career development advising.
7 replies on “Take a Walk Down Memory Lane With This Footage from the Old Cleveland Rollercade”
Skated here from the time I was 4 in 1951 with my grandmother who skated in the shows and taught me how to skate until it closed…absolutely loved the place and it was a shame that they closed it down. Wonderful place for kids to spend their time and stay out of trouble. The best rink EVER.
I swear I saw Irene Graham teaching? WOW this brings back memories. I had no idea they had a whurlitzer, holy crap, before my time but always heard about the place.
This brought back a host of memories. I skated there almost seven days a week after I got out of the Air Force. Had the fun of helping move the organ out of the Palace. Also went out with a charming young lady that lived in the apartment in the back. I believe Lee is right that is a video with Irene teaching. Jim Kerner that did the video I think was the brother of my best man. I have skated all over the country and never found a rink that matched the Rollercade.
Thank you for posting this! Wow! This was our Sunday afternoon destination. I remember an aqua blue velvet skating skirt and my sister had a black velvet skirt with red cherries on it! Girls had to wear skirts and if I remember correctly, I think they required guys to wear a tie? I loved it when the organist played the boogie and we always enjoyed the Hokey Pokey….put your right skate in…. and there were “couples skates” and then “all skates”. Such a special place and what great memories! Thank you for sharing. God bless!
I met my wife there in the mid 60’s. We belonged to a skate club. We are still married!
Ed
I remember the Rink , like it was yesterday.
Sometimes it was easier to chase your friends on the carpet outside of the rink.
The shakes and food were good too!
My friends and spent many Saturday mornings there.
Remember the ones doing the Flea Hop in the middle in a train,,,, did not want to get in the way.
Great Cleveland history.
Thanks for the memories.
From Houston Tx
Dennis C
It was the best place to spend a Saturday morning. We went there almost every week. Love watching the chain line with the flea hop going around. I tried it a couple of times but was not coordinated enough to do the follow thru.
Thanks for sharing the memories.
Skated here from the time I was 4 in 1951 with my grandmother who skated in the shows and taught me how to skate until it closed…absolutely loved the place and it was a shame that they closed it down. Wonderful place for kids to spend their time and stay out of trouble. The best rink EVER.
I swear I saw Irene Graham teaching? WOW this brings back memories. I had no idea they had a whurlitzer, holy crap, before my time but always heard about the place.
This brought back a host of memories. I skated there almost seven days a week after I got out of the Air Force. Had the fun of helping move the organ out of the Palace. Also went out with a charming young lady that lived in the apartment in the back. I believe Lee is right that is a video with Irene teaching. Jim Kerner that did the video I think was the brother of my best man. I have skated all over the country and never found a rink that matched the Rollercade.
Thank you for posting this! Wow! This was our Sunday afternoon destination. I remember an aqua blue velvet skating skirt and my sister had a black velvet skirt with red cherries on it! Girls had to wear skirts and if I remember correctly, I think they required guys to wear a tie? I loved it when the organist played the boogie and we always enjoyed the Hokey Pokey….put your right skate in…. and there were “couples skates” and then “all skates”. Such a special place and what great memories! Thank you for sharing. God bless!
I met my wife there in the mid 60’s. We belonged to a skate club. We are still married!
Ed
I remember the Rink , like it was yesterday.
Sometimes it was easier to chase your friends on the carpet outside of the rink.
The shakes and food were good too!
My friends and spent many Saturday mornings there.
Remember the ones doing the Flea Hop in the middle in a train,,,, did not want to get in the way.
Great Cleveland history.
Thanks for the memories.
From Houston Tx
Dennis C
It was the best place to spend a Saturday morning. We went there almost every week. Love watching the chain line with the flea hop going around. I tried it a couple of times but was not coordinated enough to do the follow thru.
Thanks for sharing the memories.
Linda Novick Miklich