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Two nearly identical black-and-white photographs appear side-by-side and show a fountain covered icicles in the foreground and the U.S. Capitol in the background.
Frozen fountain and Capitol, Washington, D.C. Photo by American Stereoscopic Company, 1901. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/stereo.1s05823

Nature’s Ornaments: Icicles in Photographs

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Whether you enjoy being out in cold weather or would rather observe a frozen landscape through a window, you’ll find it hard to deny the beauty — and drama — of the icicle-laden views featured below.  Let’s lean into the cold temperatures and feast our eyes on these eye-catching winter scenes.

Photo shows wooden and metal structure covered with snow and icicles.
Chicago Architecture Foundation Lecture, Integrated Architecture (Incomplete Set) exterior detail view of snow and icicles. Photo by Balthazar Korab Studios, Ltd., 1952. https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppbd.01022
View shows what looks like a bridge covered in snow and in icicles, some so long that they extend to the ground.
Winter view near Thompson Falls, Mont. Photo by E.J. Frazier, 1918. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c21717
View shows cliff with large icicles hanging off of it.
Niagara in winter these are a few select views taken in the winter of 1860 and ’61. Photo by E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., 1860 or 1861. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/stereo.1s05603
Black-and-white photo shows dark tunnel with icicles hanging from the ceiling and bright opening in the center.
Icicles in tunnel – Skyline Drive, From Front Royal, VA to Rockfish Gap, VA , Luray, Page County, VA. Photo by E. Ray Schaffner, December 5, 1957. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.va1798/photos.192530p
Black-and-white photo shows country house with snow-covered roof and icicles hanging from the eaves.
Icicles on roof of home in Woodstock, Vermont. Photo by Marion Post Wolcott, March 1940. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8c11484
Black-and-white photo shows view of building, with door visible under eaves and a bicycle leaning against the structure.
Untitled photo, possibly related to: Harrisonburg, Virginia. Photo possibly by John Vachon, between 1935 and 1942. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8c18915

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Comments (2)

  1. Growing up in north Mississippi, we didn’t get much snow and ice. When the temperatures were going to be below freezing for several days in a row, my daddy would stack up ladders, boards, small benches, big limbs, etc., then position a water hose above it all. He’d let a fine mist of water spray over the whole pile/area overnight and in the morning we’d have our own Winter Wonderland.

  2. Nice to look at icicles from indoors. Some really interesting shots and lighting. Much more enjoyable that looking at lighting wires that are supposed to look like icicles (?).

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