ICE PALACE

Joseph H. Rhomberg, shown at the right, and his father Joseph A. RHOMBERG were photographed in February 1888 near an ice castle. The castle was illuminated and the Rhombergs planned on adding two wings to the structure. The purpose of the castle was to make it the first in Iowa and "not allow any place in the Northwest of lead Dubuque in winter sports." Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald. Information-Telegraph Herald, April 6, 1980, p. 48

ICE PALACE. Described as the "first ice structure of its kind in Iowa," the building was photographed in February 1888. Joseph A. RHOMBERG (left in the picture) and his son Joseph H. RHOMBERG (on the right) unveiled an illuminated building constructed from blocks of ice. With spires at its corners and topped by a dozen American figs, the ice palace was a featured part of a winter sports attraction located in what became Comiskey Park.

A newspaper report on the day of the opening stated that Rhomberg intended to add two wings to the building if the weather remained cold. In addition to the palace, Rhomberg had a six hundred foot toboggan slide constructed nearby and within a half block of a streetcar route--perhaps a part of the DUBUQUE STREET RAILWAY COMPANY which they owned.

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