Katherine,

Sorry, I haven't any specific information about ice rinks, but I was 
certainly surprised by how early the relevant technology might have 
been available.

There are ca. 1879-1882 photos from Iron Mountain, Michigan depicting 
the installation of a circular refrigeration unit, sort of like well 
points for draining (but different), that was used to freeze a 
circular area in a swamp, so that a iron mining shaft could be cut 
through the ice, without draining the whole swamp into the hole.  I 
thought it was ingenious, and the date really threw me.

I can probably come up with a citation if you're interested.
-- 


Mark C. Branstner

Illinois Transportation
Archaeological Research Program
209 Nuclear Physics Lab, MC-571
23 East Stadium Drive
Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: 217.244.0892
Fax: 217.244.7458
Cell: 517.927.4556
[log in to unmask]