Curling, ski jumping, ‘Silver Skates’ and more — our favorite sports from winters past

Curling, ski jumping, ‘Silver Skates’ and more — our favorite sports from winters past – Chicago Tribune

It’s a busy day in historical past, Chicago.

Sure, at this time marks 37 years for the reason that Chicago Bears received Tremendous Bowl XX.

[ Vintage Chicago Tribune: The Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10 to win Super Bowl XX ]

It’s additionally the 56th anniversary of the “Blizzard of 1967,” which dropped 23 inches of snow on Chicago and stands as the most important snowfall on document right here.

[ Vintage Chicago Tribune: WGN-TV’s Tom Skilling recalls the city’s coldest and snowiest January days ]

However we’ve already lined these monumental occasions in earlier editions of the Classic Chicago Tribune e-newsletter.

My co-curator Marianne Mather had a unbelievable concept when she recommended we revisit wintry outside actions that Chicagoans have cherished for generations. She discovered these lovely images within the Tribune’s archives. And, since we lastly have just a little snow on the bottom and below-freezing temperatures ready for us subsequent week, then let’s get exterior!

Develop into a Tribune subscriber — it’s simply $12 for a 1 year digital subscription.

Observe us on Instagram — @vintagetribune.

And, catch me Monday mornings on WLS-AM’s “The Steve Cochran Show” for a have a look at “This week in Chicago historical past.”

Thanks for studying!

— Kori Rumore, visible reporter

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Chris Richelson, Robert Lawrie, Joe Wallace and Malcolm MacKenzie, all members of the Chicago Curling Membership, circa February 1929 on the Washington Park rink. The caption that ran within the paper with this photograph reads, “The person with the broom performs a most necessary a part of the sport. It is his job to clear every minute obstruction from the trail of the stone in order that it nestles in one of many scoring zones.” (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

In a protracted, low Washington Park constructing across the flip of the final century, the game of curling arrived in Chicago. The recognition of the Scotland import grew, and the Chicago Curling Membership shaped and continues to function at this time. See more photos.

Kids skate on the South Pond at Lincoln Park throughout the opening day of ice skating season for the Chicago Park District, circa 1946. (Chicago Tribune historic photograph)

Whether or not it’s on a pond, lagoon or formal ice rink, Chicagoans have all the time cherished this winter exercise. See more photos.

The primary ever Chicago Ski Event held at Troopers’ Area on Feb. 16, 1936. An enormous slide was erected on the South finish of the lakefront enviornment the place an unemployed street employee from Minnesota, Eugene Wilson, 22, received the match with a 68 foot soar. (Chicago Tribune)

Within the early Twenties and Nineteen Thirties, ski soar contests and ski tradition had been thriving within the Midwest. See more photos.

On the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, rising Olympic ski jumpers begins younger.
From 2018: So that you need to attempt ski leaping? Are you nuts?
Chicago’s Soldier Field: A timeline of occasions since 1924, together with internet hosting the world’s athletes, congregations, politicians and performers

Speedskaters proceed by way of the midway mark of the lads’s two mile Silver Skates title race at Garfield Park on Jan. 17, 1943. On the rear is Del Lamb, of Milwaukee, see arrow, who moved up for a simple victory. The 4 leaders within the photograph are, from proper, James De Swarte, Invoice Carnduff, Al Perry and Chuck Edwards, all unplaced on the end. (Chicago Tribune historic photograph)

The primary worldwide skating competitors in Chicago was held in 1918, the Tribune reported, and it got here as skating was booming in recognition. Speedskating was a comparatively younger sport — the primary world championship was organized in 1893 — however drew massive crowds in Chicago for native races as early as 1904.

About 30,000 noticed Arthur Employees win the inaugural Tribune-sponsored Silver Skates match on the Humboldt Park Lagoon in January 1917, in line with the Tribune. The Silver Skates Derbies, a Tribune-sponsored race, grew quickly throughout this time. A boys division was added in 1919. Girls first raced in 1921, and a ladies division adopted in 1922. The Silver Skates competition continues at this time. See more photos.

Olympian Cammi Granato visits Highland Elementary College in Downers Grove the place she attended as a toddler, Feb. 26, 1998. (Ed Wagner/Chicago Tribune)

What number of native athletes have received gold medals within the Olympics? Actually, it’s tough to know. It’s tough to trace since america Olympic & Paralympic Committee solely retains tabs on an athlete’s birthplace and hometown.

That stated, listed here are 4 tales of triumph within the Tribune’s archives spanning from 1932′s Winter Video games to an iconic race by Chicago-raised and Evanston-trained speedskater Shani Davis in 2006. Read more.

Be a part of our Chicagoland history Facebook group and observe us on Instagram for extra from Chicago’s previous.

Have an concept for Classic Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.