Girl Scouts at Skateland, 1957
Skateland opened in May of 1949 and cost $75,000 to construct. It was a partnership between Floyd Penkhus and Jack Hoeppner who together owned a Lincoln and Mercury car dealership. Two well known employees were Jim Kathman, the manager until he retired in 1964, and Winona Milenbusch, the organist who came from Boone to play during Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Neon lights in five colors created a festive ambiance. Soon Skateland laid claim to being the only rink in the Midwest with air conditioning. Skateland was on the same site as 20th Century Bowling and also the Centery Cinemea and Mini Golf, also owned by Penkhus.
Skateland was constructed by Ben Cole and Son. The structure measured 90 feet by 150 feet and was constructed with 12 inch concrete block walls and an arched roof. The wood skating floor ran the full length of the structure and was over 60 feet wide.
Skateland was a very popular gathering place until it was hit by a tornado in 1968 which tore off the roof and destroyed the maple flooring, and Skateland closed forever.