On November 19, 1961, excited eastside residents laced up their skates and hopped onto the very first outdoor public skating rink in Indianapolis. Built by the Charles R. Beltz Co. for $91,000, the rink remained uncovered until the late 1980s and closed in 2009. Although there is no longer ice, the building is still used today for inline hockey, lacrosse, and other groups.
In 1961, children paid an entrance fee of 25 cents while folks older than 17 had to fork out 50 cents. Skaters could use the warming house or shop at the concession stand. The park rented skates for 50 cents. Those who needed their skates sharpened could pay one dollar. Park officials warned that temperatures had to be in the low 50s for their chilling machine to work.
In the winter of 1964, Mary Dillon (later Sangsland), who lived at 5821 Julian Avenue and her friend, Cornelia Preuss, made their way north to Ellenberger Park. A member of the Dillon family snapped a few photos of the girls as they enjoyed their time on the rink. It was a sunny day although snow could be seen on the ground. It looks like it was a great afternoon to be outside and enjoying the park. The Irvington Historical Society possesses very few images of the skating rink so let us know if you have any that you could share!
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| Mary Dillon (clad with a scarf) and her friend Cornelia Preuss posed for a photograph at the Ellenberger Ice Skating Rink in the winter of 1964. (photo courtesy of Mary Sangsland) |
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| Skaters enjoyed the Ellenberger Ice Skating Rink in the winter of 1964. (photo courtesy of Mary Sangsland) |
I wish to thank Mary Sangsland for the use of her photographs and for her stories of growing up on Julian Avenue.
Sources: Steven Barnett, "On Thin Ice," Weekly View, December 22, 2016, p. 1; "Ellenberger Rink To Open," Indianapolis News, November 16, 1961, p. 30; "Public Ice Skating Rink to Open Thanksgiving Day," Indianapolis Star, November 21, 1962, p. 29; "Ellenberger Ice Skating Rink an Indoor Facility After Major Facelift Last Year," Indianapolis Star, February 3, 1989, p. D-7; Jason Thomas, "Eastside Skaters Urged To Go South," Indianapolis Star, August 9, 2009, p. T-3.
