Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

ICE RACING:  A Brief History of Horse Racing on Ice on City Lakes from 1880s to 1920s

What to do with your Minnesota race horse or back yard pleasure horse in the long winter months? Why not give them exercise, have them earn their keep, have them stay in fit condition and have a bit of fun at the same time. For more than four decades, winter circuit racing schedules existed in the Twin Cities from late December to late March between 1888 and 1929.

Learn who were the owners, the drivers and the horses skimming swiftly across the frozen ice of our city lakes. And did the famous Dan Patch ever race on Lake of the Isles?

 Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
 

KATHLEEN KULLBERG,
LHENA historian and house detective
BIOGRAPHY

Born in historic Homestead, Pennsylvania, site of the deadly Pinkerton fight against US Steel workers in 1892. Graduated Penn State University with a B.A. in Interior Design. Established a small riding stable and trained three-day event horses in beautiful Chester County. Moved to Minneapolis in 1981.

Active preservationist and avid house historian for the Wedge and Southwest Voices newspapers.  Long time resident of Lowry Hill East. Leads historic walking tours for Preserve Minneapolis and Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education telling the stories of the early residents and author Maud Hart Lovelace. Always discovering the true lives of past residents and their contribution to Minneapolis's past and present.

“If your walls could talk....”

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Kullbkathy@comcast.net