A Palace In Ice

In 1896, a magical palace made of ice rose over the small town of Leadville, Colorado.  Although this beautiful creation only lasted for a few months, it is still remembered to this day.  

Leadville had been a silver boom town in the 1800's.  As the returns from the mines began to dwindle and miners began to leave, Leadville began looking for a way to bring people back.  A plan was conceived which would build a giant ice castle in thee winter, drawing tourists to the town.

 In November off 1895 construction began.  Wooden framework was constructed and ice blocks were brought in to add to the framework.  Blocks of ice were put into place and sprayed with water to hold the blocks together.  The castle contained a skating rink, a dance floor, a restaurant, and even a merry-go-round. \\\\\\\\\\\\\

The castle opened on January 1, 1896.   Admission was $0.50 for adults and $0.25 for children under 12 It was lit up with electric lights and the restaurant had samples of its culinary delights frozen into blocks of ice on display..  Evening searchlights made this a truly wondrous sight

Many tourists did come to view this winter wonderland, but unfortunately did not spend the money which the city had hoped.  An unseasonably warm winter caused the ice castle to close in March of 1896.  However, the skating rink was still in use until May of 1896, with a May Day skating party being the last event held there..

The ice palace was not the financial windfall it had been hoped, and was never rebuilt.  Thankfully, we still have the pictures of this brief, but magical palace to stir our imaginations.