Stoughton Ski Jump History
The first Ski Tournament in Stoughton was January 29th,
1898 as reported in the Stoughton Hub February 4th, 1898.
“A large crowd turned out last Saturday afternoon to the Ski
Tournament, held on the hill near the Academy.
The contestants were mostly local jumpers, but few appearing from out of
town. The sport was quite exciting and
interesting, especially to those who had never seen anything of the kind.
Taking
first place was John Sunby, 143 feet; second place was Stoile O. Tveilen, 138
ft. 5 in; and third place was Elef O. Tveilen, 131 feet. 11 in.
Second Class: For all
who have never taken any prize in any Free-for-All Ski Race. Oscar Nilson, 130 ft. 1 in.; Carl Sunby, 127
ft. 4 in.; O. Visaasen, 125 ft. 8 in.”
“In the evening a dance was given at the armory, which was
largely attended.”
Stoughton Hub, February 4th, 1898
Stoughton Ski Club decides to build a steel slide in beginning
in October 1910 and hosts tournament in 1911.
“President, Halvor Christenson, of the Ski Club, announces
that the first tournament on the new steel ski slide will be held Wednesday,
Feb. 1st, in connection with the dedication of the big
structure. The holding of the event, of
course, is conditioned on the weather being favorable, but it is said that
yesterday’s snow fall made an abundance of snow at the course, and if mild
weather does not set in, a lack of snow need not be feared, as that very
necessary commodity can be hauled to the course from various points in the
immediate neighborhood.”
Stoughton Weekly Courier Hub, January 13th,
1911
“The hotels, restaurants and churches met the situation
nobly in feeding the crowds that came.
There was general good feeling all around.”
“The railroad company, besides their regular train service,
pressed twenty-six cars into commission to handle the crowds that came
here. The Madison special had nineteen
coaches, and they were jammed. Many of
the men did not wait to pass out of the doors, but crawled through the windows,
while the university boys gave their yells with great force and glee.”
“There is nothing that unites a town’s people so much as an
event of this kind. It brought about a
solidarity of interests that created a public and patriotic spirit that will
not wear off in a week.”
Stoughton Daily Courier Hub, February 11, 1911
Resources:
Stoughton Public Library, Kvamme Collection
