Montreal Ice Palace in Dominion Square from the Winter Carnival published in the Montreal Herald February 4th, 1884, original antique print

Exploring the 1884 Dominion Square Ice Palace


Ice Palace 
Dominion Square
From The Montreal Herald Carnival Number, February 4th, 1884

Same month 142 years ago.. Montreal held a Winter Carnival in Dominion Square - now known as Canada Place or Place du Canada. 🇨🇦 

At this carnival there was an ice palace constructed of at least 10,000-15,000 blocks of ice, measuring 160 feet in long, up to 120 feet wide and up to 100 feet tall. How massive! 🧊 

It was lit up in the evening using electric carbon arc lamps. How progressive! 💡 

The palace was used for a mock battle with fireworks at the end of the carnival. How dramatic! 🧨 

Designed by Alexander Cowper Hutchinson and construction overseen by J. H. Hutchinson, it truly was magical. What a sight to behold in the dead of Montreal winter! ✨ 

This image was pulled from the Montreal Herald’s February 4th 1884 publication. It is available on our website! 🗞️

Being from Montreal, this is a place I would frequent regularly. It’s wonderful to see past historical moments, especially fun events like this, in a place you walk around so casually!

 

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