From the late ’30’s until the late 50’s, roller skating was the most popular participatory sport in the United States.

During this period, many teen-agers saw roller rinks as the preferred venues for dates, recreation, or hanging out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Roller_Skating

“America on Wheels”, founded with a single, small rink in New Jersey in 1934, grew to become the largest operator of roller rinks in the United States.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/americaonwheelscorporation

This postcard, printed about 1945, shows a variety of roller rinks in New Jersey and on Long Island.

America on Wheels grew by catering to growing suburban areas; one of their new roller rinks was near the original Levittown.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levittown

Unfortunately, by the 1960’s other sports and leisure activities eclipsed the appeal of roller-skating, and the cost of maintenance and insurance led to a trend of roller rink closures.

I originally picked up this postcard because the headquarters of the company that printed the postcard was located in my neighborhood of New York City.

Alas, the firm of Harry H. Baumann no longer exists at that location.