Redondo Skating Arena - 4/10 hybrid Redondo Beach, Washington Organ installation timeframe: 1948 - 1955   Back to the Skating Rinks main page

 

Redondo Skating Arena buses in front of the rink

The Redondo Skating Arena was located in the Redondo Beach area south of Burien. It was a popular family entertainment spot in the late 1940's and early 50's.

 
Redondo Beach Skating Arena brochure
 

The Redondo skate floor
 

Eved Oliver, rink organist
 

Redondo Rink pipework
 

The organ was installed by Balcom & Vaughan in 1948. It was their opus 469. Although advertised as a Wurlitzer, the organ included parts from various organs including Seattle's Egyptian Theatre Robert Morton.   <---- The four-manual console started as a two-manual Smith!   Unfortunately, the organ was lost in fire at the rink on January 20, 1951. Four photos of the fire's aftermath are included below.

 

Remains of the Redondo Skating Arena, 1955.
 

Note burned out Spencer Orgoblo tank
 

Another Spencer Orgoblo
 

Burned out pipe crates
 
Editor's note: Fire also destroyed the Rollerbowl Rink in Seattle. These photos, from the PSTOS Bill Bunch archives, were not marked. It's possible the bottom three photos are of the Rollerbowl fire scene.
 

Scan from the advertising section of an early 1950's cookbook, courtesy Kris Kurran 2014