Historical Context
Written on January 18, 1932, this letter sits at the height of the Great Depression. Marius's comment that people seem "more dead this winter" and "perhaps they cannot afford to sport" reflects the economic hardship of the era. Even in remote Afton, Wyoming, the lack of disposable income for social events was clearly felt.
"Ski riding behind the Oakland": This refers to "skijoring"—being pulled on skis behind a vehicle. The "Oakland" was a brand of automobile produced by General Motors (the predecessor to Pontiac). In 1932, using a car for such recreation in three-foot snow banks was likely a thrilling, albeit bumpy, pastime.
Marius's comment about being a "part owner of a number of skates" is a fascinating historical detail. During the Great Depression, high-quality "clamp-on" or boot skates were an expensive luxury. Because many families couldn't afford their own, someone like Marius might have invested in a "fleet" of skates to rent out to others for a few cents a night. This would explain why he felt he had to "do his part running them"—likely maintaining the blades and managing the rentals which provided rare entertainment during the lean winter months. In the 1930s, formal indoor rinks didn't exist in Star Valley. Instead, skating happened in two ways:
Natural Ponds and Creeks: Many locals skated on the various tributaries of the Salt River or on "sloughs" (marshy areas) that froze over.
Town "Ice Ponds": It was a common practice in Wyoming towns during this era for the local fire department or town council to flood a vacant lot or a low-lying area to create a safe, flat sheet of ice for the children.
Historical records from the Star Valley Historical Society show that towns like Afton and Thayne held "Winter Carnivals" during the early 1930s. These included cutter races (horse-drawn sleighs), skiing, and ice skating competitions.
