Following are short stories about the activities leading up to the 1932 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, the first every held in the United States and the third Olympic Winter games following Chamonix, France in 1924 and St. Moritz, Switzerland in 1928.

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Olympic arena dedicated

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The U.S. team members shown on an outdoor ice rink before a game. There were only four hockey teams in the 1932 Olympic Games in Lake Placid. Canada won the Gold; U.S. the Silver; Germany the Bronze. Poland was the only other country represented. (Associated Press photo — Courtesy of the Adirondack Room, Saranac Lake Free Library)

The lead story under the headline, “Will Dedicate Olympic Ice Arena Saturday Night, $220,000 Building Constructed in 5 Months”

“The pride of Lake Placid and a project which will undoubtedly prove to be the greatest asset in the history of this small village, is the magnificent $220,000 Olympic indoor ice arena which is completed and will be formerly opened Saturday night, January 16, at 7:45 p.m., with dedicatory address by Gustavus T. Kirby, of New York, past president of the American Olympic Committee.

“This event has been anticipated with great interest among residents of Lake Placid village, Essex County, and practically everyone in Northern New York state for they are proud to display this stupendous structure. Lake Placid is the first resort in the world, outside of larger cities to build such an arena, which contains one of the largest ice sheets in the country and is called ‘the best arranged and most effectively designed skating rink in the country’, by George C. Funk of Boston, refrigerating engineer in charge. The building is being decorated with colored bunting and flags of the 17 nations competing in the Games.

“Four prominent speakers, representing the town, village, county and state, will give 3-minute speeches, (they knew what they were doing in 1932) acknowledging with appreciation the cooperation extended by residents of their respective territories in making this great project possible.

“Willis Wells, North Elba Supervisor, and chairman of the building committee for the arena, will open the program with an appropriate welcome address. Following will be talks by Frank S. Leonard, representing the village and Justice O. B. Brewster of Elizabethtown and Warren T. Thayer of Chateaugay, Chairman of the New York State Winter Games Committee with Mr. Kirby giving the dedicatory address.”

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Quick freezing ice sheet

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Headline: “Is One of the Largest Ice Sheets in the Country – Ice May Be Tempered to Suit Figure Skaters.”

“Tuesday afternoon the ice sheet was laid for the first time in Lake Placid’s new $220,000 Olympic indoor arena. While the formal opening and dedication of the arena will not take place until Saturday night, January 16, Olympic figure skaters, curlers, and hockey players have been working out on the ice in preparation for the lll Olympic Winter Games, which open February .

“A remarkable record was made in the construction of the Olympic Arena. Ground was not broken until August 20. Night and day shifts have been employed in order to have the arena ready for the opening of the Olympic Games. Now the building is completed and being used three weeks prior to the opening ceremony. The sheet freezes in 11/2 hours.”

Headline: “No Admission Charge for arena Opening.”

“Special tickets will be issued at the door to persons desiring admission to the ceremonies of the Olympic Arena. These will be allotted without charge. Persons wishing to remain for the hockey games, L.P.A.C. vs. St. Nicholas Club of New York, after the exercises, should purchase tickets for same before entering arena.”

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First indoor hockey games

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“The first competition to take place at the new Olympic Arena will be staged between the Lake Placid Athletic Club hockey team and the St. Nicholas Club of New York City Saturday night following the dedication of the Arena.

“The visiting club are Olympic contenders and are well out in front as possible winners. They have yet to lose a game, having defeated such well-known teams as The University Club of Boston, Crescent A. C. Brooklyn/Bronx Hockey Club, Adirondack Division All Stars and the Boston Hockey Club.”

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Finland ski team arrives

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“Finland’s skiing team to compete in the III Olympic Winter Games will join other foreign contestants at Lake Placid today. Sailing from Stockholm January 7 aboard the S. S. Berengaria, they landed in New York Wednesday.

“The speed skaters and figure skaters, who remained in Europe to participate in the European championships in Davos, Switzerland, January 9 and 10, will arrive later in the month.

“According to speed-skating records of former Olympic meets, the United States and Norway will be Finland’s strongest rival in this sport at the Games.” [The United States certainly was the strongest rivals since Jack Shea won Gold Medals in 500 and 1500 meter speed skating races and Irving Jaffee won a Gold Medal in 5,000 meter competition.]

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Sled dog demonstration races

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“J. D. McIlhenny, Jr., of Philadelphia, who in former years has raced in the Annual Lake Placid Club dog derby, has expressed his intention of entering a team in the sled dog demonstrations at the Olympic Games.

“Stuart H. Belknap of Keene, N.Y., who is a familiar figure in Lake Placid, has also filed his application with the Olympic Demonstration Dog Derby committee of Quebec. Mr. Belknap has spent several years in Alaska and is said to be an experienced musher. He will race a team of five huskies born in Hamilton Inlet, Labrador, and two huskies purchased from Earl Brydges of Lake Placid.

“This is the first time in Olympic Winter Games history, that this demonstration will be included in the international classic. The race will be for a distance of 25 miles a day on two consecutive days.”