Albany Skateway (Gone)
Albany, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The tall Albany Skateway sign was impossible to miss, standing high above the street and inviting skaters in from blocks away. With its colorful design and towering height, it looked like it belonged to an era when a roller rink was one of the busiest places in town on a Friday night.

Long before GPS and glowing chain-store signs, this marquee let everyone know exactly where the fun was. It was the kind of sign that probably had more than a few kids asking their parents if they could stop for an afternoon of skating. 12-08

The rink first opened in 1939 and became a favorite gathering place for generations of Albany families. Birthday parties, school skate nights, and countless afternoons circling the polished wood floor all happened here. The familiar roadside sign welcomed everyone through the years, quietly becoming part of the neighborhood along the way.

Albany Skateway (Gone)
Albany, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Even after the skating rink moved to a newer location in 2000, the old sign remained standing over the original building for several more years. Built by Albany Sign Co. and dating back to at least the 1960s, it was one of those roadside landmarks that seemed like it would always be there.

UPDATE: The landmark roadside sign was removed in October 2008. The original rink building still stands and has since been put to other uses. 07-26

Grants Pass Skate Center (Gone)
Grants Pass, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The big Grants Pass Skate Center sign promised "Skate Fun," and that's exactly what generations of local kids found inside. Standing out along Rogue River Highway, it was the kind of colorful roadside sign that could make you wish you had brought your skates along. Bright, cheerful, and easy to spot from the road, it was the sort of sign that let you know good times were waiting just inside the doors. 12-08

The building had quite a history of its own. It originally served as a military recreation hall during World War II before being moved to Grants Pass, where it reopened as the Rollerdrome in 1947. For nearly sixty years it welcomed birthday parties, school outings, Saturday afternoons, and plenty of evenings spent skating to the latest music.

The rink eventually became known as the Grants Pass Skate Center, but the friendly roadside sign remained one of its most familiar features. For many local families, seeing that sign probably meant another night of skating, arcade games, and catching up with friends.

Grants Pass Skate Center (Gone)
Grants Pass, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

UPDATE: The skating rink closed in 2005, and the "Skate Fun" roadside sign was later removed when the building was converted into a self-storage facility. The original building still stands in its new role. 07-26

(Near right) The former Skate Center viewed from down the street