Rainbo Roller Rink Archive
Images donated by photographer James A Pierce
Rainbo’s roller rink life spanned twenty-three years until March 31st, 2003. At exactly 2:40AM, over 500 patrons participated in Rainbo’s last skate before it was closed and later demolished. One representation of the scene was a journalist’s description; he reports, “Within 24 hours, all 12 of the rink's huge mirror balls were lowered in preparation for the wall-to-wall sale of the building's contents. In the end, the historical and social value of the rink was exceeded by the property's real-estate value.” The original 1910s building was demolished to make room for condominiums named Rainbo Village.
Angel’s thesis explores the social history of a 130 year old venue with the help of newspaper archives, clippings, and primary local sources including the original owner’s son Cale. She founded a digital archive of the former Rainbo Roller Rink with journalists and local experts housed at the Sulzer Branch of the Chicago Public Library. Archived at the Flaxman Library at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Theatre Historical Society of America.
