Frigid weather swept across the United States. The San Antonio River froze over, and no wonder, the temperature that day was 4 degrees Fahrenheit, and it was the second lowest temperature recorded in the city.
| TEMPERATURE | DATE |
| 0° | JANUARY 31, 1949 |
| 4° | FEBRUARY 12, 1899 |
| 5° | JANUARY 30, 1949 |
| 6° | DECEMBER 23, 1989 |
| 6° | FEBRUARY 2, 1951 |
Chart: KTSA.com
Prior to this day, Samuel Rockenback, a young Lieutenant stationed at Fort Sam Houston, had been ridiculed by many for bringing his ice skates with him when he moved to San Antonio from his previous posting in Montana. However, on this day, they proved their worth, when he was able to dust them off, and skate along the frozen river.
Samuel Rockenback eventually rose to the ranks of Brigadier General, and was the commander of Allied tank forces in WW1.
Photo: Wikipedia
That same day, in another part of San Antonio, Adolph Wagner, Ernst Steves and Mrs. Aaron Pancost were photographed by Ernst F. Schuchard skating on West End Lake…now known as Woodlawn Lake
Photo: Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo
Sources: “Crown Jewel of Texas” Lewis F. Fisher
“American Venice” Lewis F. Fisher
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Memories of San Antonio 