Roller Skating in Halifax –
Rinks, Records & Arnold Brown
Roller Skating in Halifax
The Town That Loved Its Wheels (and Arnold Brown’s Wild Rides)
By Harry Facks
If you think roller skating is just a passing fad, you’ve never heard the Halifax story! For a good chunk of the late 1800s and early 1900s, roller rinks were the heartbeat of local fun. Skaters zipped, spun, and sometimes tumbled their way around town—chasing records, applause, and a bit of glory. By 1909 there were 5 local skating rinks .
The Golden Age of the Rink
Halifax’s first big roller rink opened in February 1876, right off Arden Road. This wasn’t just a patch of floor—this was a 140-foot-long, 60-foot-wide iron building, covered and ready for crowds. The grand opening was a sensation, with the famous Black Dyke Mills Band playing tunes as skaters showed off their moves.
But as with all crazes, the shine faded. The rink fell into disrepair, and by the late 1880s, it had closed its doors—though not before leaving a mark on the town’s memory.
Arden Road and the site of Halifax's first Roller Skating rink
Arnold Brown: Halifax’s Skating Dynamo
Enter Arnold Brown, the legend on wheels. Brown wasn’t just a skater—he was a record-breaker. In the 1940s, as roller skating was making a comeback (with a shiny new rink at Clare Road drawing 2,500 spectators!), Brown was out there pushing the limits.
He once skated for 17 hours straight—no small feat on those old-school wheels! He also skated from John O'Groats to Lands End.
Halifax Keeps Rolling
Even after the rinks closed, the love of skating stayed with Halifax. From weekend marathons to casual spins, the town has always had a soft spot for life on wheels. So if you ever hear the distant sound of skates on pavement, remember Arnold Brown and the golden days when Halifax rolled with the best of them.
American Roller Skate rink on Huddersfield Road
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