Tobyhanna Ice Harvest

02/06/2026

TOBYHANNA MILLPOND #1 ICE HARVEST - WRAP UP

Saturday, January 31, 2026

2071 Lakeside Drive, Tobyhanna



The 2026 Millpond #1 Ice Harvest is now part of our history, and what a memorable chapter it was! What began as a one‑time celebration for the Coolbaugh Township Bicentennial in 1994 has grown into a tradition that has brought friends, families, and neighbors together for more than a third of a century.

Early last week brought its share of challenges, with a foot and a half of snow on the lake, but thanks to the support of good friends, everything came together. The weather was cold (4 degrees at 6 AM, rising only to 16 degrees by 3 PM) but by day’s end, we stored 35 tons of clear, 15‑inch‑thick Millpond ice.

Our fully restored Gifford‑Wood ice saw was a true highlight. It ran as if it had just rolled off the factory floor in 1918. As for attendance, it’s impossible to know the exact number, but estimates ranged from 600 to 700 visitors. One thing was certain: everyone left with a smile.

A new friend and videographer joined us this year and created this extraordinary video. Enjoy:
https://youtu.be/-sBMwJ8S8S8

God willing, we’ll see you next year, Saturday, January 30, 2027.

Living history event in Tobyhanna, PA

01/28/2026

TOBYHANNA MILLPOND #1 ICE HARVEST
OLD IRON OF
BYGONE WINTERS
Step back in time with us at the Tobyhanna Millpond #1 ice harvest, where vintage machinery and volunteer craftsmanship bring early 20th century ice harvesting to life.
1918 Gifford-Wood Ice Saw “Buda”
Bill Leonard Sr. acquired a 1918 Gifford Wood ice saw known as Buda from Surinchak’s Junkyard in the early 1990s. Likely used by the North Jersey Ice Company at what is now Gouldsboro State Park, that lake’s ice harvest ran until 1952. After years exposed to the elements the saw—powered by a four cylinder Buda WU engine—was restored to running condition by Nelson Saxe and Harry Smith and first used at our modern harvest in 2002. In 2025 Mike and Dave Fairservice and Harry Smith completed a full rebuild—engine, carburetor, gearboxes, guides, hood and side panels—logging 700+ volunteer hours and returning the saw to near factory condition. The Coolbaugh Township Historical Association funded parts and materials. We believe this may be one of the few, if not the only, operating saw of its type.


1922 Gifford-Wood Ice Saw “LeRoi”
In November 2021 we acquired a 1922 Gifford Wood ice saw called LeRoi from a Lackawanna County barn. Harry Smith and Lester Miller cleaned the magneto and got it started; Mike and Dave Fairservice, with Harry’s help, replaced the carburetor, spark plugs, wires, and fuel lines, cleaned the tank, repaired the radiator, and fabricated parts. The saw remains remarkably original and still shows late 1920s service markings inside the chain guard.


1926 Fordson Tractor
Our 1926 Fordson tractor was used by the Tobyhanna Creek Ice Company to scrape snow at Warnertown Lake, where ice was harvested from 1902–1952. Purchased during the mid 1950s liquidation for $20 and later used to power a circular saw, the tractor was donated to the Coolbaugh Township Historical Association in 2018. Though not operable, it now stands along the shore of Tobyhanna Millpond #1, watching over the annual harvest as it did a century ago.

01/27/2026

TOBYHANNA MILLPOND #1 ICE HARVEST
Saturday, January 31
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
2071 Lakeside Drive, Tobyhanna

The 2026 ice harvest will be held as scheduled.

The heavy snowfall certainly put our ice‑harvest preparations to the test, but thanks to a few friends we cleared an area on the lake and we’re ready to go. We expect to start cutting ice around 9:00 AM on Saturday, and it’s shaping up to be a classic Tobyhanna winter morning with temperatures in the low teens with a brisk 15‑mph wind. Bundle up and come be part of the action.

Two local community offerings while you are in Tobyhanna:

The Coolbaugh Township Historical Association will open the historic Wills Mansion Museum from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Stop in to warm up, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, and explore ice‑harvesting tools, memorabilia, videos, and exhibits on local history. The Wills Mansion Museum is located just over a mile from the icehouse on Route 611 at the Coolbaugh Township Municipal Complex, 5590 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna.

VFW Post 509, located at 1917 Goodwin Street in Tobyhanna, less than a half‑mile from the icehouse, will be serving a hearty and affordable breakfast from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by hot dogs for lunch until 2:00 PM.