Icehouse Marker

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Hays in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Icehouse

By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012

1. Icehouse Marker

Inscription.

The icehouse was built 300 yards behind this sign during the winter of 1870-1871. It was built into a hillside, which offered much insulation. The icehouse could store 1,000 tons of ice harvested and hauled from Big Creek. Soldiers occasionally constructed dams along the creek to produce ice.

The water from the creek was unfit to drink during the final year of operation at the fort. The post surgeon warned that water should be cooled only "by surrounding the vessels containing it with the ice."

The Fifth U.S. Infantry troops shown here were photographed at Fort Keogh, Montana. Their clothing shows how soldiers would have dressed to fend off the rigors of the cold weather.

Erected by Kansas Historical Society.

Location. 38° 51.708′ N, 99° 20.531′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. Click for map. Marker is on the grounds of Fort Hays State Historic Site, off US Hwy 163 Alternate. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1472 US Highway 163 Alternate, Hays KS 67601, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Band Barracks (a few steps from this marker); Post Trader's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Surgeon's Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Laundress' Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Quartermaster's Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker). Click for a list of all markers in Hays.

Photo on Icehouse Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Unknown, undated

2. Photo on Icehouse Marker

Also see . . .
1. Fort Hays State Historic Site. (Submitted on September 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.)
2. Fort Hays at Kansapedia. (Submitted on September 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.)

By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012

3. Icehouse Marker

Looking NNW

Credits. This page originally submitted on September 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas. This page has been viewed 36 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.