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OPENED OCTOBER 27th 1950 |
CLOSED OCTOBER 31 1985 |
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HI FOLKS, BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, IF YOU HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE AND JUST WANT TO SEE WHAT IS NEW, WELL CHECK OUT
Allthough it got renamed The Axle (M&R Theaters 1974),
to some of us, It will always be "THE HUB"!!
The Hub opened October 27, 1950 on Harlem Avenue, 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 restauants
where many of the Roller Rink Junkies hung out after closing time.
Getting started.. If you would like to tune in to
the sound of Leon Berry while reading through this
material Check out...
Bryan
and while it loads, (takes a few minutes)
c'mon back here, Read on ,and enjoy!!
Back to the HUB..
The HUB was a Giant in the Roller Rink World, and it was the home of
a Giant Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, with a wonderful organist, namely
Leon Berry, recently deceased.
I am Frank Randall, former Hub employee from around 1952 thru 1957.
A marriage and family responsibilites eventually took me away from
the Hub and many of the friends I had while working there.
This is about the HUB, where I got lucky in 1954
and found my lovely bride Lida, for more about us, go to
FRANK
In order to make this HUB page complete we need to
get some pictures of the rink and those who enjoyed it.
Maybe by the year 2001, we will have enough old friends here
to celebrate 50 years of the Hub..
So what if it is a Pizza joint (see the pics) store today!
To some of us it will always be THE HUB!
Dennis J. Aitken, Hub Guard 1970's shares his thoughts here DENNIS
Bryan Thalhammer, skater from the 60's and 70's shares his memories at.. BRYAN
A good place to look for your High School Classmates Classmates
Looking for some of those Leon Berry Records??? try this.. Musicfile
Today the place to Roller Skate, Orbit in Palatine
Special Event... Skaters Reunion First Saturday in October!
ORBIT ROLLER RINK
IF YOU LOVE THAT WONDERFUL WURLITZER MUSIC, AND/OR WOULD LIKE
TO VISIT A TERRIFIC ROLLER RINK ONLINE, CHECK OUT THIS ONE!
