Harvesting Ice
Dublin Core
Title
Harvesting Ice
Collection Items
Workers of the Walker Ice Company
Ice companies hired a seasonal local workforce to help harvest the ice that formed on lakes at the end of each winter. Some of these workers might also help delivery the ice to houses and businesses across the city in the summer.
Ice Houses at Salisbury Pond
Ice houses belonging to the Walker Ice Company at Salisbury Pond, with Washburn & Moen in the distance.
Ice Harvesting at Coes Pond
Blocks of ice being loaded into an ice house by conveyor at Coes Pond. Snow along the shore has been used to flood the pond.
Walker Ice Company Houses at Salisbury Pond
Walker Ice Company house and Washburn & Moen in the distance
WALKER ICE COMPANY vs. AMERICAN STEEL AND WIRE COMPANY
Hot water was a byproduct of manufacturing at American Steel and Wire which was dumped into Salisbury Pond in the winter of 1899-1900. When the hot water damaged the ice crop at Salisbury Pond, the Walker Ice Company sued for damages.
1896 City of Worcester Parts of Ward 1
Map location of the once standing Walker Ice Company dwelling at Salisbury Pond, 1896
Walker Ice Company
Later renamed to the Walker Coal and Ice Company, this company was the only company to commercially operate at Salisbury Pond in Institute Park. Walker Ice Company acquired multiple other local ice companies over the years, and was eventually…
Walker Ice Company Truck
After using horse-drawn carts for a number of years, the Walker Ice Company switched to automobile-powered ice delivery, which increased their area of service and their productivity. This image shows one of their early trucks and accompanying ice…