Jan 27, 2023
She's Melting!
January 27, 1947: Pictured here is F. J. Scully checking the depth of a puddle while going about his rounds at the melting ice palace in Highland Park, at the corner of Edgecumbe and Montreal Avenues in St. Paul. Officials hoped the temperatures would remain below freezing when they laid the cornerstone on January 15, but no such luck. Due to the thaw, the coronation of King Boreas, set for February 2nd, was relocated to Como Park Conservatory. Nevertheless, Vulcan, the fire king, and his cohorts stormed the ice palace on February 9, signaling the overthrow of winter by the forces of spring.
The ice palace is a signature feature of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The 2023 Winter Carnival runs from January 26-February 5.
