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.