Ice Skating in Kearney
This topic developed out of a
request from Sweden for information about a photograph which had been sent
back to Sweden by an ancestor who had immigrated to the United States.
It was an Anderson photo of a young couple on ice skates. The
background identified the site as being Kearney Lake. Judging by the
apparent age of the couple and the family information which was provided, I
would guess this was a picture of the young Swedish immigrant and his future
wife.
Kearney Lake
Summer
Pavilion – on east bank of lake
Two stories – lower held concessions; upper held chairs in shade
All sides open to catch summer breezes
Rowboats for rent on bank beside pavilion
Small steamer carried sightseers around the lake
Sailboats also on the lake
Winter
New Year’s Day – all who possessed skates came
One couple glided about using a sail to catch the wind
Toboggan slide – on east bank near pavilion
Children on toboggans would use it;
November 22, 1929 –
The Recreation Committee of the P.T.A’s composed of a representative from
each school, the Kearney Women’s club, and City Council were working
together to provide ponds for children to skate on. As soon as the ice
freezes the children flock up the hill to Kearney Lake. They wanted to put a
pond in each of the four wards.
Ice Skating Rink
Nov. 1891 – To open at 2221st Central in “old rink building”
Water was run into the tank and water froze solid by morning
December 8, 1891 –
The ice skating rink opened and about 150 young people skated.
After everyone left it was flooded again for use the next day.
December 26, 1891 –
Apparently the rink was closed for a week to put in some improvements.
The ice was now 10” thick
A concession stand was put in the cloak room
Miller’s band would furnish music
Other information about ice skating in Kearney
February 21, 1908 –
City of Kearney passed an ordinance making it against the law to wear roller
or ice skates on city sidewalks or crosswalks within city limits. Fine was
up to $100.
December 29, 1916 –
Both the lake and the canal were popular places for ice
skating.
December 15 & 17, 1921 –
Area at 22nd Street and 10th Ave. flooded for ice
skating rink
January 5, 1925 –
Bodinson Hardware advertised skates both shoe and strap on, and hockey
sticks
Ice Polo
Saturday, January 16, 1892 –
Two teams, the Midways and the Phil Kearnys
Were going to cross sticks in a polo game on the ice Wednesday.
There would be additional music for the event.
“Polo is a game full of excitement from start to finish and when played
aright is as scientific a one as may be numbered among strictly North
American games.”
Tuesday, January 19, 1892 –
Postponed to Friday because the financial secretary had la grippe [flu]
[No follow up report]
What is ice polo?
A game played in the 1890’s mainly in the east
Ivy League colleges - Harvard, Brown - had teams
Five man team
Sticks like hockey sticks but only 4 feet long
Polo ball used
Ice skates, no padding
Hit the ball over a bar no more than 18 inches off the ice
3 points per goal
Two 20-minue halves
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