Park Happenings & Stories

A teen employee grew up to became a business owner. Each summer, he would return to work at The Oaks. He did this as a reminder and to learn more about Robert's management style. All of his wages were donated to a charity.



Ostrich, brown bear, Rhesus monkeys, squirrels, ducks, peacocks and geese called The Oaks home over the years. One of the most notable residents was a monkey named Lucy (a favorite of all the employees and many patrons).


One day a prankster put a bumble bee into a wooden match box and handed it to Lucy. She was curious and trusting so she picked up and opened the box. She was stung. About 2 weeks later, the same prankster returned. Again, he handed a wooden match box with bumble bee to Lucy. She took the box, put it to her ear then set it down and walked away.





Mr. P. T. Barnum approached Edward Bollinger. He was interested in purchasing brown bear for his circus. After watching them for a bit, he decided to purchase only two. When Edward asked why only two, he was told they had exhibited the balance needed to learn to roller skate.


Gentlemen of the era wore diamond stick pins. One day a gentleman reported that an Ostrich had swallowed his. Employees were assigned to "search deposits." A few days later, it was found, cleaned and returned to its owner.

Another time employees were assigned to "search deposits" the Ostrich had picked up a set of keys. They were found and returned.

Raising the ferris wheel - Mr. "B" (Robert Bollinger) was running the rope to provide power to raise the ferris wheel. With the wheel half installed and the "High Man" standing on a tope spoke, Mr. "B" got his feet tangled in the ropes and almost fell. The "High Man's" life flashed before his eyes; Mr. "B" gained control of the rope with no more than an inch to spare.

Preparing the barge for the 4th of July fireworks required a tug and small work boat. One time the work boat was between the tug and barge when the backwash from the tug flipped it. The workers scrambled on to the barge. A quick thinking employee snagged the work boat with his toe.

Although Robert did not drink, he took pleasure giving away bottles of whiskey and Champaign. One day, he was on his way to deliver a bottle of whiskey when his help was needed. He set the bottle down along the midway. An employee came across the bottle, thinking it belonged to the midway boss, he picked it up and waited for the commotion to start. Nothing happened. Later he found out it belonged to Mr. "B"

In 1956, floodwaters were in the park. Several buildings were evacuated. A couple of Oaks employees were resting in the living room of The Bollinger House. They rolled marbles across the floor to determine where the water would enter the building first. The Bollinger House was raised after this flood.

One snowy winter night (around 1939) rink employees made sure all patrons were safely on the streetcars then they went back to skate to Lane Lewis (organist of the time). About 2 am, residents from The Oregon Yacht Club entered the rink seeking tools. The snow was so deep and heavy on some of the club members' roofs, the homes were in danger of sinking. These employees not only got tools but they helped clear the roofs.

If you think a women's work is never done - try raking leaves at The Oaks. One pile, the size of a car, was finished about quitting time. The next morning, it had been scattered by a car. Unhappy workers again raked the leaves into a pile; however, this time, there was a picnic table under the leaves. On the 3rd morning, a car had found the picnic table under the leaves. No one claimed the car.

Short on credits for your degree? One Department Advisor suggested a working lab but rebuffed working as a 'carny' at The Oaks. The Advisor's mind was not totally closed and agreed to talk with the folks at The Oaks. After this talk, class was started with a discussion on the wonderful working experience The Oaks provided.

In days of old, "the Boss" (Edward Bollinger) played cards with one of the ladies.  When he won, he told the lady to go home and practice.  If she won, he told her not to come back until she could play like a lady.

One weekend an elephant was skating down the midway. Unable to believe it, an employee ran to the car for a camera.

World War II Days:
Skaters from The Oaks presented a floor show for the men in Camp Adare. The army provided transportation in the form of a cattle truck. Oh, what a fun and wonderful memory.

One sailor, feeling very important, ordered a coke at the rink. Not realizing his coke was being mixed (syrup had to be put into a glass and carbonated water stirred in), he grabbed the arm of the server and demanded his coke. She responded by throwing it in her face. The sailor returned with Mr. "B" expecting an apology. Mr. "B" listened to her side of the story. Then he told the sailor "Good help is harder to find that good customers. Leave her alone."

Rationed shoes were made of cardboard; beer was kept cold in tubs of floating ice. One sunday afternoon, the shoes disintegrated and beer was served by "barefoot maidens."

The 1948 State competition at the Imperial Rink was stopped by a member of The Oaks Skating Team. While skating his Men's Free Style Routine, he did a "show" stopping "14 Inch Split Inseam jump. The judges allowed a substitution of pants then the "show" resumed. although he did not win, he did receive the largest round of applause.

A bookkeepers secret: always have money in the checking account before mailing checks. One bookkeeper learned this secret over lunch with Mr. "B" through a gentle lesson that was never forgotten.

KWJJ broadcast the following ad for The Oaks. "Ladies come in free with a male partner. Be sure to come Monday night - it's cheek skate night."

There was a key entrusted to me that was once used by Mr. "B". Not a locker, door, nor safe lock would fit this little odd shaped silver key. But very important was this key; it opened the dispenser box for the paper T. No longer outside the restroom door ladies-in-waiting would be. Since this little silver key was entrusted to a lady such as me.

Tuning the organ is done late at night. One of the tuners forgot his ear plugs. Mr. "B" ran quickly into the ladies room and came out with substitute "cotton" ear plugs.