Waiting for Crystal Lake in Urbana to freeze over used to be a much anticipated winter activity in the Urbana-Champaign area, dating back to the late nineteenth century. The article below appeared in the December 12, 1898 edition of the Champaign Daily News:
Champaign Daily News, Dec. 12, 1898, p. 5 “Urbana” column
The article reads: “There is ice about four or five inches thick now on Crystal lake and the stream above and it is said to be of very good quality. Skaters in large numbers enjoyed it Saturday and Sunday and several wheel enthusiasts rode up the stream for a number of miles. The ice house which stood there for a good many years has been torn down and workmen are now engaged in putting up a new one. They are hurrying the work as much as possible in the hope that the building will be completed before the ice is gone.”
Ice skating is still a popular winter activity in Champaign County, though the lake is no longer used for that purpose. However, for anyone interested in pursuing the sport, the University of Illinois Ice Arena hosts public skating sessions several times per week.
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Donica, Archives Librarian