GRAHAM’S POND: Jan Graham picks up John Rimer’s memories of her
family’s skating pond:
“My research shows that the first Era mention of the Graham
skating pond was on Jan. 7, 1919: The Era reported that ‘Many
skaters are planning to enjoy the fine winter sport at Graham’s
rink on Seaward avenue which has been placed in fine condition for
the evening’s opening.’
“At its monthly meeting on Oct. 28, 1936, the Era reports that
‘With the nip of Jack Frost in the air, Bradford winter sports
lovers were given early assurance of supervised frigid frolics here
when the Kiwanis club formally adopted a winter program at its noon
meeting. Three tentative locations for ice skating rinks were
presented to club members by a special committee of six, headed by
Guy Hughey. Locations of the rinks are Congress street playground,
behind the Senior High School and at the rear of the Graham
greenhouse in Seaward avenue.’
“The Dec. 23, 1936, issue of the Era announced that, ‘Under the
direction of Edward Torgler (chairman of the Kiwanis club committee
in charge of youth recreation), the Graham skating rink in Seaward
avenue is now ready for use by the public without charge.’”
Jan notes that the Jan. 10, 1938, edition reported “throngs”
taking to the ice on four local ponds, and a week later, the
Kiwanis Club announced it had installed 10 lights at various sites
— including two lights at the Graham Florist pond.
In January of 1941, Malcolm Graham, chairman of the recreation
committee of Kiwanis, announced an ice cream carnival would be
staged at the Graham ice pond, weather permitting, in two weeks.
Jan tells us she has been unable to determine if the event ever
took place.
Jan writes, “The Era reported on Jan. 29, 1943, that ‘Local
winter sports enthusiasts for the past few days have enjoyed
“pretty good skating” at the Congress street extension pond and at
Graham’s pond.’ The article went on to report that ‘Vandalism has
occurred at the shelter houses at the rinks. The damage was blamed
on a clique. The rink sponsors hope that there will be no
recurrence of such acts. Electric lights furnished illumination
for night skating.”
“My family’s skating pond was formally closed after the skating
ended in 1943. It was closed due, unfortunately, to potential
liability,” Jan concludes.
