THE PODCAST: THE ROLLER BUNION DERBY of 1935

Podcast

Sep 24

AKA “A Wheely Long Race”

Black and white vintage photo showing line of men on rollerskates standing on road, they have numbers on as contestants in a race. They include a little person and a man of color. Several policeman stand off to one side. — 1935 Sandison Photo Whatcom Museum

SUMMARY

Imagine roller skating down Chuckanut Drive. Imagine it’s 1935 and the road is barely paved with Model-A’s careening past. Imagine having started at the border in Blaine, Washington, with your destination being the border in Mexico. Also – your wheels are made of wood and it’s a race for a lot of prize dollars - so get scooting.

This episode features a surprising story of a roller-skating marathon that took place in 1935, from border to border: Blaine, Washington to San Diego, California, down newly created highways. The race featured a fascinating cast of characters, including contestants from right here in Bellingham. We believe this crazy stunt born of the endurance contest craze inspired what many consider the birth of “Roller Derby” that same year in Chicago. Tune in to hear about a wheely long race known as the Roller Bunion Derby and things people did for fun before the internet!