The Whidbey Island Amusement Place

The Roller Barn project was a stretch financially for the Rasmussen and Ellis Families so making extra use of the barn and attracting customers from all around the island would be vital to their success. Jeff Ellis, son of Darrell Ellis, recalls his father driving a school bus to bring kids to the rink from all over Whidbey Island from the South End to the North End. There was no charge for this service, and skating was just .75 cents including skate rental. They also had special parties and events in the barn during non-open hours. In 1951 roller skaters took a back seat to a Square Dance on July 28th, a tradition this would continue through the early years of the barn. Pictured above is the route they took around South Whidbey picking you patrons before heading north to The Roller Barn.