Skateland was located in the auditorium portion
of the old Parker Motor building located at 113 1st Avenue SE. Early
in the morning of Sunday, Sept 23, 1962, the upper portion of the building was
destroyed by fire. About two years previously the building had been purchased
from the Parker Corporation by Dr. Ringo. The building also house the
California firm of Ets-Hokin-Galvin Inc. They were involved in laying cable for
the Minute Man missile project in the area. By the time the firefighters arrived
there was to chance to save the roof and upper story. Damage to the rest of the
building was limited as the auditorium had a double layered wooden floor. There
had been a dance in Skateland the evening before which may have contributed to
the cause of the fire. The building is still there and is used as a parking
garage.
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Parker Motors and Auditorium middle of block
I do remember the fire at Skateland! I met my future husband there the day after I graduated from Minot High and we skated with the two clubs Magic City Fireballs and...,darn, I can't think of the name of the second one! The dances were called "Hops" and we were there the night before the fire. We both owned roller skates and left them there at the rink...they burned in the fire!!!
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