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The Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide, a longtime fundraiser for area fire companies, will not be open for the tenth year in a row, according to the official website for the event.
A Jan. 28 posting to the site simply read, "Unfortunately the toboggan slide will not be built this year due to warm temperatures."
"When the weather warms up the ice, it's dangerous for the equipment and people to be on the lake," Brian Smith, long-time president of the Eagles Mere Slide Association, said.
The slide, built of more than 1,000 blocks of ice on Lake Avenue, requires an ice thickness of 12 inches for maximum safety.
The slide opened in 1904, and features a downhill slope that takes patrons on an up to 45 mph thrill ride across 1,200 feet taking them halfway across the lake.
Capt. E.S. Chase, a Williamsport resident, who moved to Eagles Mere in 1886 got the idea for the toboggan slide in January 1903 while watching his grandchildren play along the lake when one of them asked him why he couldn't build a "real good" toboggan slide down the slope of Lake Avenue, according to www.eaglesmeretobogganslide.com, the official website for the event.
Chase had been involved in other projects throughout Eagles Mere, including laying out the street plans of the village, planning, and cutting the Laurel Path around the lake, as well as sounding out and making a map of the Eagles Mere Lake.
Chase's original design continues to be used today, including his planer and method of grooving the ice, the website said..
It wasn't long before word spread, and a holiday was declared in the town, with many arriving at the site eager to build the slide. It was the olden days -- hand saws were used and horse teams with wagons and bobsleds hauled the blocks of ice to the edge of the lake.
The slide officially opened in January of 1904, with the waters of Hunters Lake providing electricity for the electric lights above from four miles away, according to the website.
Utilizing a heavy iron scoop-shovel, a man by the name of Harry Stevens was the first down the slope.
As he sped along, a trail of smoke quickly formed around him. After completing the ride, Stevens would discover that the seat of his pants had completely burnt out. Luckily, he suffered no permanent injury.
An article about the slide, published in the Farm and Fireside Journal in 1905 said, "Toboggans of all shapes and sizes blossom forth to try this winter wonder. It knocks time out of the best Whizzer of your boyhood and gives an awakening twist to the nerves..."
The cost to use the slide was 10 cents. The Sports Association built toboggans with two runners to fit the grooves in the ice, and the first one built by Harry Watts. For safety the sleds were rented for a fee of 50 cents.
In 1926, Mrs. Edward Munson paid to have the toboggan slide built to entertain her guests during Christmas, employing an ice ballet company from New York to perform on the lake, using car headlights as stage spots for the show.
In 1929, two slides were built, with Don Haman constructing a wooden ramp five or six feet high to create more speed, though when timed, the two racing toboggans were similar in speed.
During a mild winter in 1929, the ice on the lake was slushy, and builders worked during cold nights to construct the slide so riders could enjoy it during the day.
The initial pay rate for construction was 10 cents an hour and the laborers shared in the profit. By the end of the 1930s, that rate was raised to 20 cents per hour. During World War II the slide was not built, but around 1945 the slide resumed and became a volunteer project.
Even the depths of the Great Depression could not dampen the excitement of the slide, as it muddled through, only ceasing operation during WWII until it was resurrected as a volunteer project in 1945.
Two trailers adorn the top of the hill -- one stores 55 toboggans and a warm up room, while the other is a snack bar operated by members of the Eagles Mere Federated Church and Civic Club.
Nine fire companies take part in operating the slide, including Eagles Mere, Forksville, Muncy Valley, Hillsgrove, Laporte, Eldredsville, Endless Winds or Shunk, Dushore and Mildred.
When the slide is open, it's a good fundraiser for the area fire companies, Smith said.
"When we are open full time, there is a chance for each of the county fire companies to make a percentage of the profit," he said. "On a good weekend as many as 1,700 people may ride down the slide. One year the slide ran for 11 weekends beginning on New Year's Day. That was an extreme. I think it was in the '80s."