Take A Look At These Photographs!

IDLERACER

Medalist

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Joined

Jul 28, 2003

• Jan 16, 2005

• #1

I'm not sure if these will show up on everyone's computer or not, but I've recently gotten into exploring the Los Angeles City Library's photo database. For those of you who are from Southern California, these pictures will be fascinating, and even if you're not, it's still interesting to get a glimpse of what skating was like during the first half of the 20th century, in a city where it never snows. The first photo is the saddest. It's of the Polar Palace (where I skated for the first time) going down in flames in the mid 60s. What I find really mindblowing is the rink that was apparently on Gayley Avenue in Westwood at one time. I believe that that area is now occupied by the Veteran's administration cemetery:

The Polar Palace Burns Down
A Skating Rink In Westwood Village 1939
Construciton Of The Westwood Ice Rink 1938
Skating At The Pan Pacific Auditorium 1939
Skating At The Pan Pacific Auditorium #2
A Concession Stand For The Skaters
Ice Capades At The Pan Pacific
Ice Capades At The Pan Pacific #2
A Wedding on ice 1929
Let Me Help You With Your Skates
Bill Shipstad, 1949
Sonja Henie & Tyrone Power
Peggy Fleming, age 14​

 

Glacierskater

On the Ice

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Joined

Jul 27, 2003

• Jan 16, 2005

• #2

Thanks for sharing these! This is one of my favorite eras in history. Of course I am sure it is apparent by my avatar as to who my favorite ice skater is.

 

NJSk8Fan

Joined

Jan 30, 2004

• Jan 16, 2005

• #3

Very interesting photos. Thanks for sharing!

 

dlkksk8fan

Medalist

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Joined

Jul 26, 2003

• Jan 17, 2005

• #4

Idle-great old pictures especially the one of Peggy.
"The Wedding On Ice"- The wedding isn't on ice they are on roller skates.

 

Glacierskater

On the Ice

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Joined

Jul 27, 2003

• Jan 18, 2005

• #5

dlkksk8fan said:

Idle-great old pictures especially the one of Peggy.
"The Wedding On Ice"- The wedding isn't on ice they are on roller skates.

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I noticed that as well.

 

IDLERACER

Medalist

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Joined

Jul 28, 2003

• Jan 18, 2005

• #6

dlkksk8fan said:

The wedding isn't on ice they are on roller skates.

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I noticed that after I posted it. That's what I get for not being more specific. I only typed "Skating" into the search engine, and didn't look carefully enough. :banging:​

 

Dee4707

Ice Is Slippery - Alexie Yagudin

Record Breaker

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Joined

Jul 28, 2003

Country

• Jan 18, 2005

• #7

Idle, those are priceless. Loved the car in the first picture, do you know if it's a ford?

Dee

 

IDLERACER

Medalist

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Joined

Jul 28, 2003

• Jan 18, 2005

• #8

Dee4707 said:

Idle, those are priceless. Loved the car in the first picture, do you know if it's a ford? Dee

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I'm not sure, but I believe that's an old convertible Mercury Monarch​