does anyone know if someone bought the old roller rink bulding? The one with Tanning Patch

I can't answer your question but I did snap a couple of photos of the building the last time I was in Miles City and you inspired me to upload them:

http://www.flickr.com/pho...511096312/

http://www.flickr.com/pho...510242365/

I remember this being the "Parkway Rollercade" roller skating rink when I was a kid (~1980).

Does anyone know the history of this building? What was it originally built to be? What other businesses were located in it over the years?

- Dave

I know that the building was a car dealership in it's beginning. The garage was in the back where the skate floor was. One of the walls is acutally the garage door on the outside still. That's all I know until the skating rink (where I didn't spend any time at all!)

I literally have dreams where I am back and have bought the building and brought the rink back. Of course, all the old characters were going to be involved! Ah... dreams.

Before it was Parkway Rollercade, I know the building housed a Taylor Rental center, which rented-out tools, mowers and stuff for construction and landscaping and so on.

How do I know this? Because my mom worked there briefly when I was a kid. I don't know if this helps at all, but thought I'd mention it encase.

That's right, Shu, now that you mention it I remember it being a Taylor Rental Store. That must've been after it was the Parkway Rollercade.

Cory, I have it in my head that your dad opened the Parkway Rollercade. Is that right? If so, do you remember what years the Rollercade was in operation?

- Dave

I heard that Tom Clarke purchased the building to house his classic car collection, but I'm not sure if that is a fact.

David, Tom Pettigrew started the rink in about 1982ish. His son Sam ran it for a while, then his son Parker and Cal Schock bought it. Then Wayne and Peggy Hill and Mike Blum had it for a while. Then Dick Smith had it for a bit.

While I know every one of those people, I don't think that the rink ever was what it was in the Cal Schock era. Miles really needs a place like that where you turely can trust that your kids are being watched and taken care of in a fun, wholesome environment.

It was probably the funnest job I ever had. I wish I could go back to that time!

I forget the rental place. That was Pre-Rollercade.

Cory,

What happened to Cal and Parker anyway? Are they still around Miles City? Do the Pettigrew's still own the Airport Inn?

I have many great memories from the Rollercade. It is part of who I am. Cory, you gave my parents a bunch of pictures and I often look at them because it brings a smile to my face. This is Tracy Uden by the way. My sis and I always say if we had the money we would re-open it. We spent a good deal of time there. Cal always made the best cupcakes for birthday's.

Re: history of the building under discussion; I remember at one point it was a warehouse for Sweetheart bakery.
On another line, I can remember roller rinks at the former Dibble Buick building situated across 7th Street from Jack's Body Shop and owned by him now. Another was in the building that more recently housed the Red Rock Sports Center and is now housing trailers for Cody Stiener I believe.

Erline Pettigrew can still be found most days at the Airport Inn with Peggy and her husband. Parker is not here and I am not sure where he is. Sam and Mary were in the Seattle area and in the last year have moved to Colorado I think.

Hey Tracy (sis) and Cory!! Wow, Tracy and I were just talking about the Rollercade today! Cory, when you say you have dreams about reopening the place I know what you mean! The Parkway Rollercade was a HUGE part of our life when it was up and running, especially during the time Cal Schock ran it. He was the best for sure. He kept all the kids safe and in their place. So many wonderful memories and Tracy and I talk about that part of our life all the time! There were many "characters" that were regulars at the Rollercade and it would not have been so much fun without all of them including you Cory! Not only did they have rollerskating but there were also dances, Halloween parties and best of all the good old Sock Hop each year! My parents loved the Sock Hops! LOL Sis and Cory!!

Thanks Roxanna.

What became of Cal? Anyone know?

I believe he is a highway patrolman.

Cal is still in Miles City, still married, and doing well. He is a highway patrole officer. Once in a while I see him. (not getting pulled over...LOL) Anyway, good times!

I will fess up. I am the purchaser of the old rollercade building, and am in the process of doing some necessary repairs and upgrades to the building. I will be storing some of my cars in the rear of the building, but I believe the front portion can be re-modeled into rentable space. The Tanning Patch is a current tenant, and there is another 1600 to 2400 square feet that could be made into offices, or some other commercial occupancy. Pretty good parking availability in the area, and the view out the front windows (Riverside Park) will likely not change in the near, or distant, future.

Someone asked the history of the building, and I am a curious about that as many of you. I understand it was built in the 1920's and it has concrete walls, and steel trusses for the barrel shaped roof. So the ceiling span is the full 62' of building width with no support posts. I am told it housed, at one time, the Essex automobile dealership. That Chuck Walters had the Chrysler dealership in the building until after WWII when he sold the Chrysler franchise to Gus Zignego. At that time, I understand, Chuck bought the building across Main Street from the Presbyterian Church, and ran his Walters Repair Shop out of there, later run by Bill Combs, and now Rolling Rubber. I was told the MT Hwy Department operated out of the Rollercade building at one time. And I remember it being the Sweetheart warehouse as well. Of course Dave Thompson operated Miles City Appliance there in more recent memory. I think the building is already showing some improvement, and it will get better from here, even.

My kids enjoyed the Parkway Rollercade, and particularly Cal Schock, who ran it for Tom Pettigrew. I believe Cal left the Rollercade to become a Miles City Policeman, and later an Office with the Montana Highway Patrol. Cal has risen to Sergeant with the MHP, I believe and lives here in Miles City. He was great with kids, and is a fine MHP Officer.

Tom Clarke

Yes Calvin is the resident Sergeant for the MHP in Miles City. Tom had the whole story correct. Cal did become a MC officer then to the Highway Patrol. He and Cori have two boys, one I believe is in high school now (I really can't believe that!)

It should be noted that Cori is a outstanding and successful busineswoman in her own right!

Come on Tom, aren't you interested in bringing back a Miles City icon from the 80's? You could even teach a few lessons! I'm sure your kids would be all about having the rink in operation again! Thanks for all you do for the city!

Cory

Thanks for the information about the building, Tom. That's interesting to know.

It sounds like it's a fair possibility that this building was originally built to be an Essex Motors Company dealership.

According to Wikipedia, Essex Motors Company only existed from 1918 to 1922 but then the Hudson Motor Company bought them out and continued to produce Essex cars until 1932.

I wonder if the Essex Motors dealership became a Chrysler dealership around that timeframe (~1932).

Also interesting to hear Mr. Zignego referred to as "Gus". I know his name was Gustav but for as long as I knew him he was "Zig". My dad worked for Zig for many years at Deluxe Motors.

- Dave

Thanks for the info! I wonder where all of the Pettigrew's have gotten to?

Does anyone else remember the very short time that Miles City had an indoor miniature golf course? It was located in the building on Main Street across from Riverside Park. I don't know who ran it. I also remember the outdoor one that ran for several years across from the swimming pool.

As mentioned above about the Airport Inn, Peggy Hill, is Peggy Pettigrew.

That was a great mini golf course. It was there in the early 70's. Wasn't it outside?

Also across the street from Riverside Park was the pop bottling company. They would fill pop bottles and sell cases. I think it was Coke.

Yes, the old roller rink was a great place and my step children Rene and Stacy Klein spent many an hour there. It would be great to have a place like this again for the kids to spend their time. In my day the Harmony Hangout was the place to go and now I could spend time there as a Senior Citizen and play cards.
As for the Pettigrew family, Pete and new wife Sharon live in the Washington DC area. Pete is retired from the Army band. He was married to Fran Crone and she still lives in the same area. Peggy Hill is the only one of the Pettigrews that are still in the area and she is married to Wayne Hill and they manage the Airport Inn now. Earline is still active and is seen at the Airport Inn daily.
Sam is married to Mary Rogers and they live in the Vail Colorado area, moving to that area about 2 years ago from Washington. Parker is living in Arizona and Pam Keller is a teacher in Anchorage. The kids will all be home for the all 70's reunion next June. Hope this brings you all up to date on the family.