What is this Mirror Lake?

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Ask anyone on the campus at The Ohio State University, and they can tell you exactly were Mirror Lake is.  Is this because of the relaxing atmosphere, which they can go to study? Perhaps they enjoy the sandwiches, which you can buy at the nearby café?  All of these reasons are good but most people know where Mirror Lake is located because of the tradition, which surrounds it. At the center of the university, Mirror Lake holds some of the oldest and greatest traditions. It is our goal to inform people of the great history that Mirror Lake has hidden in its shallow, greenish waters. The history of the Mirror Lake tradition was written by John H. Herrick in the book titled The OSU Mirror Lake Hollow. This book was obtained by going to the Ohio State Architecture Building and checking the books on closed reserved. Most of our historical information was obtained through this book.

Mirror Lake was not always a lake however.  Back in 1865, when the university was erected as a land grant university, it was merely a collection of pools, springs, or bogs, and was actually fit to drink.  Urban growth led the spring being cut off in 1891. However, later that year, a grotto was built to restore flow of water back to the spring.  As a result small islands and manmade brides were erected around the springs. Unfortunately a tornado destroyed everything on August 12th 1918.  Years later the class of 1927, 1929, and 1930 raised enough money to restore flow back to the spring, however the sulfur count was so high it became undrinkable.  Over the decades, the wall surrounding Mirror Lake has been replaced, a fountain has been added to it, and the sidewalks have been restored. The lake is one thing at the university that can change, but every time you go back to it you still remember you time there.

The Lake and the area around it had also been used for entertainment purposes in the past.  Mirror Lake Hollow as it was once called, though it as been called many different names, has been the site for various band concerts and musical performances.  The first of which was scheduled in 1910 and then another two years later where over 2000 attended.  The “college sings held by the springs” became an annual event but was moved to a different location later on because of an increasing attendance, which reached 4200.  Later in 1984, Ohio Staters, Inc. sponsored jazz concerts in the amphitheater.  This proves that for many years the lake has been the center of the university. It is a landmark that has maintained it importance through out many years. You can be sure that after you graduate Mirror Lake will still be around and you can walk around it and reflect on your college experience.

So how could such a lake become a focal point of Michigan week?  The idea of placing people in the lake is not as new as people think.  The idea of “dunking” people dates back to 1902.  A group of sophomore students known as the “Smoke Eaters” threw freshmen into the lake if they would not perform certain acts.  The “dunking”, also called “ducking” or “dipping,” escalated to a total of 230 freshmen dunked in the lake in one month.  Finally President Rightmire banned further freshmen harassment in 1926.

Throughout the years, various groups of people continued to jump in the lake.  Fraternity seniors, veterinary college seniors, members of the Buckeye club, Lantern staff members, engaged couples, and fraternity initiates all took part in the tradition.  So jumping in the Lake didn’t even begin as a Michigan week tradition.  It was a tradition shared by many Ohio State groups and organizations and many different times in history. If you jump in Mirror Lake then you have done something that a lot of people have done. You share a special bond with everyone from many different backgrounds. You are no longer in a category of people who were stupid and jumped into the lake drunk; you are a part of history. It is a history that will continue for many years to come, even after you are long gone.

There were several other traditions that centered around Mirror Lake too.  One of the earliest traditions was to hold commencement ceremonies by the Lake, which began in 1884.  Senior class breakfasts, alumni meetings, and other organizations started traditions there as well. On any other ordinary day one would find people studying, reading, hanging out, or maybe even sleeping by Mirror Lake.  One might get something to eat, while others may play a game of cards.  Some might even people-watch as they relax before class.  Perhaps a wedding ceremony may even be in session.  At night it is one of the most peaceful and serene places on campus, which makes it one of the best cheap dates in Columbus. Whenever there is a tour of the campus, Mirror Lake will inevitably be on the route, as it is one of the most defining points on campus, comparable to The Oval.

However on the Thursday before the big Ohio State vs. Michigan game, the scene changes drastically. No longer will someone be able to here the sounds of the night as they walk past it.  No longer will they see the calm, moonlit waters and couples quietly strolling along the sidewalks.  Instead they will all hear chanting of O-H-I-O and music from the band, and the splashing of hundreds of students as they carry on the tradition and take the midnight plunge into the icy waters of the Lake.  Some take the dive because their friends are doing it, while others are just bored.  Some may have lost a bet, while others may be thrown in involuntarily.  Most, however, jump to show their support for the team.  Of course signing a banner and hanging it in the locker room will show spirit, but jumping into a freezing lake at midnight on a Thursday shows more dedication for their beloved Buckeyes and the connection between you and your friends.  As Mike wrote “My friends and I never saw any property damaged or anyone get injured; all we did was have a good time walking the campus and singing songs” (Mike). Showing your school spirit this way is something that you share with the past, present and future. You are able to say that you did something that people have done since the beginning of the university. It is a special gift to be part of and continuing a tradition as rich as this one. Ohio State is a college and community based on tradition. So go out and continue the history, do something with you college experience that you can look back on with pride and a sense of accomplishment. See you at the lake.

Works Cited

Herrick, John H. The OSU Mirror Lake Hollow. Columbus, 1984. 1-26.

Mike. "Fond Mermories of Freezing Mirror Lake." Boonedocks.net (2004).