By saying the Ice Castle is big deal in these parts is a huge understatement! Sadly it is built largely in part with much cooperation from Mother Nature. With a slight warm up in the forecast this week it will be coming down after being up for the better part of a month and a half this year largely due to safety concerns as many tourists and locals a like love seeing (and climbing all over it!)
First designed by C.H. Hanke owner of the Eagle River ice route,
the Ice Castle was rumored to have been built as early as the 1920’s with no
exact documentation date to be found. Using over 2,500 12” inch thick blocks of
ice this awesome palace as some like to call it is now used to highlight the
many great winter activities and events hosted in the community throughout the
season.
The last several years this feat has not been accomplished due
to lack of consecutive cold weather but finally this year we have certainly had
quite the cold snap (thank you to -25 below temps with -50 wind chill!) Out of
this cold allows a special little lake, called Silver Lake, to make the ice that
is needed and a great group of volunteer fire fighters (including C.H. Hanke’s
grandson, Jack Thomas, who now designs the castle) using vintage tools specially designed to cut the large
ice blocks to create this humbling sight. As you can tell having an annual photo
taken by the Ice Castle is always a fun way to celebrate the season (at least while
the weather permits!)
Credits | Author: Krista, Photography: Fornear Photo, History:
Eagle River Chamber of Commerce
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