A Beautiful Sight, We’re Happy Tonight

This past Monday, winter officially arrived in the northern hemisphere. Here in Ohio, however, winter weather has been scarce; though some of us have seen a few brave snowflakes, temperatures have been too high for any snow to stick. Unfortunately, those of us wishing for a white Christmas or a start to winter activities will have to wait a bit longer.

Through Ohio Memory, however, we can enjoy winter as it’s been in the past, in all its frigid glory. Kevin Latta of the Ohio History Connection wrote in January 2014 of a few winters that could not be more different than the one we’re experiencing this year. In “The Weather Outside is Frightful,” he tells us about temperatures of nearly -40°F, of winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour, and of snowfall measured in feet, rather than in inches. Perhaps, considering what winter can bring, we should simply be thankful for what we’ve been given this year!

If, however, you still long for happy winter scenes, Ohio Memory can transport you to days when the cold is just right, when the snow isn’t too deep, and when Jack Frost nips, rather than chews you up and spits you out. Images like this one and this one, depicting snowy landscapes in Dayton in February 1938, show us winter in all its beauty. You might also enjoy this earlier image, taken around 1910 by Harry Kinley of Upper Sandusky, Ohio (and, if you enjoy Kinley’s photos, you can see more of them, taken not just in winter but throughout the year, here).

Do you miss winter activities? If so, Ohio Memory can help you live vicariously. Here you’ll find pictures of people ice skating on Lake Erie and at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia. There are also a number of photos of people riding in horse-drawn sleighs and sleds; look at these pictures and you’ll definitely hear sleigh bells! Ice sailing, another popular winter sport, is depicted in Ohio Memory in this photo of a vessel on Lake Erie. And, if you enjoy the ubiquitous activity of shoveling snow, you can find it here and here.

Soon enough, snow will come. It always does. Meanwhile, we hope these photos, courtesy of the many members of Ohio Memory, will bring happy memories of winters past, whet your appetite for winter weather now, and help you plan for the snowy weather in our future.

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Thank you to Shannon Kupfer, Digital/Tangible Media Cataloger at theState Library of Ohio, for this week’s post, and happy holidays from Ohio Memory!