Minnesota. - The Winter Carnival Season at St. Paul - Storming the Ice-Palace.

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, founded in 1886, stands as one of the oldest civic celebrations in the United States. Originally created as a bold response to claims that Minnesota's winters were as harsh as Siberia's, the carnival swiftly evolved into a festive tribute to the city's resilience and the charm of its winter season. The event features parades, outdoor activities, ice sculptures, and the iconic ice castle, with the first towering 106 feet high as the highlight of the inaugural celebration.

This wood engraving, featured in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper in 1886, beautifully captures the enchantment of that first Winter Carnival. The image shows a stunning fireworks display lighting up the night sky above the original ice castle, reflecting the excitement and grandeur of the occasion. The Winter Carnival soon became a cherished tradition in Saint Paul, and today, it continues to be a symbol of community pride and winter joy in the city of Saint Paul.