It all began on a balmy summer afternoon in Newport, Rhode Island—though not on a street or a boardwalk, but inside the former dining room of the stately Atlantic House Hotel. On August 11, 1866, something entirely new glided into American life: the country's very first public roller skating rink.

How it Rolled Out

The man behind the wheels was James Plimpton, a New York businessman with a knack for mechanical innovation. A few years prior, he had already dreamed up the modern quad roller skate. But it was on August 11, 1866, that he threw open the doors and shared his creation with the public for the first time.

Newport wasn't a random choice. The city thrived as a resort destination, attracting wealthy vacationers from New York and elsewhere. That blend of leisure-seeking curiosity and deep pockets made it an ideal launchpad.

Working through his New York Roller Skating Association, Plimpton secured a lease on the Atlantic House Hotel and converted its dining area into a gleaming skating floor. What emerged was far more than a passing curiosity—it was the beginning of something much bigger.

So what made this moment so significant?

Prior to Plimpton's breakthrough, roller skates were clumsy, even dangerous. Early designs mimicked ice skates or relied on inline wheels, which made steering a nightmare and falls practically inevitable. Plimpton changed everything with two pairs of side-by-side wheels mounted on a pivoting axle system. Skaters could now turn simply by leaning into their weight. Just like that, roller skating became accessible, graceful, and genuinely enjoyable.

But Plimpton's contribution went beyond hardware. He created an entirely new kind of social scene. His Newport rink quickly became a fashionable destination where people gathered for music, movement, and conversation—all under one roof, regardless of the weather.

The National Craze

What happened in Newport didn't stay in Newport. It ignited a sensation that swept the nation:

  • By the 1870s, roller rinks had begun to open in cities across the country.
  • By 1884, the United States had more than 100 rinks.
  • By 1935, Roller Derby was born, giving the sport a competitive edge and mass entertainment appeal.

The original building itself is long gone. The Atlantic House Hotel, constructed in 1845, had a brief stint housing the U.S. Naval Academy during the Civil War before its roller skating chapter began. Today, the Elks Club stands at its former location, on the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Pelham Street.

The building may have disappeared, but what started inside it? That's never stopped rolling.