Photo of the Week, 48: Skimming On Steel at Miller Park

This undated photograph (circa 1930, based on the automobiles in the
background) shows ice skaters at Miller Park on Bloomington's west side.
Before construction of this manmade lake in 1902 skaters used the
lagoon to north.
Ice skating proved so popular in the early
decades of the twentieth century that from time to time Bloomington
officials established additional skating venues. For example,
during the winter of 1928-1929, the city flooded a vacant lot at the
corner of Oak and Monroe streets to serve the near west side. Area youth
were also known to skate on Sugar Creek, as well as the string of
former clay pits on the city's south side, such as those at Holiday
Park, Lakeside Country Club and the old Anglers Club.
Ice
skating at Miller Park ended about a decade ago. The decreasing interest
in outdoor skating and the opening of the Pepsi Ice Center complex
helped put an end to a Miller Park tradition that dates to the late
nineteenth century.