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

Icehouse

Photographed 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Natural Resources • Waterways & Vessels.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chapel (a few steps from this marker);

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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); Fort Hays Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Quartermaster's Complex (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hays.

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

Photo on Icehouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, undated

2. Photo on Icehouse Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012

3. Icehouse Marker

Looking NNW

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.