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Benjamin Walker was a prominent Worcester citizen who held multiple public offices, and most notably co-founded the Walker Ice Company (the only Worcester Ice Company to harvest at Salisbury Pond)

Walker Coal and Ice Company Office

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…

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…

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.

Walker Ice Company house and Washburn & Moen in the distance

Walker Ice Company houses at Salisbury Pond

Workers and horses harvesting ice on Salisbury Pond.

Ice houses belonging to the Walker Ice Company at Salisbury Pond, with Washburn & Moen in the distance.

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.