Ice harvesting on the Kennebec, 1910
Item 10614 info
Maine Historical Society
Several million tons of ice, could be harvested in a few weeks. These men are using a stream driven elevator to scoop up the ice blocks.
Cutting ice, Kennebec River, ca. 1895
Item 1201 info
Maine Historical Society
"Canalmen" are cutting ice, in 1889 on the Kennebec River.
Most of it was sent to New York. The workers planed the ice to get the dirt off, before they stored the ice.
Ice harvesting, Kennebec River, ca. 1900
Item 5500 info
Maine Historical Society
Some of the ice was used in drinks, called "cobblers" and "smashes." They would smash the ice and add liquor or fruit.
Ice house, Kennebec River, ca. 1900
Item 5494 info
Maine Historical Society
The Kennebec River in Maine supplied ice for, Baltimore, Washington, Philedelphia, and New York.
Ice harvesting on the Kennebec River, ca. 1900
Item 5499 info
Maine Historical Society
This man is guiding this machine that scored the ice, so that cutting would be easy.
Consolidated Ice Co., Bowdoinham, ca. 1895
Item 194 info
Maine Historical Society
Charles S. Morse, from Maine, bought up the ice companies that were failing. It cost him ten million dollars, and he moved to New York where he bought up more ice companies, later he was known as "New York Ice King."
Ice scraping, Bowdoinham, ca. 1895
Item 1203 info
Maine Historical Society
Horses are being used in the ice harvesting.
Ice harvesting, Kennebec River, ca. 1895
Item 1226 info
Maine Historical Society
The ice industry in Maine reached it's golden years in the winter of 1890-1891.
Ice harvesting equipment, Bowdoinham, ca. 1895
Item 1202 info
Maine Historical Society
The job of a shoveler, was called "chip Joe" or "banjo artist."
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