Marshall in Calhoun County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gauss Ice House / Ice Harvesting
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021
1. Gauss Ice House / Ice Harvesting Marker
Side 1
Inscription.
Gauss Ice House, also, Ice Harvesting. .
Gauss Ice House. In 1883, J. Fred Gauss (1838-1902) bought an ice house 500 feet east of here. He harvested ice blocks from the Kalamazoo River’s mill pond, using sleds and horses to move them. In 1894, he added a steam-powered elevator to move the blocks into the ice house. Fire destroyed the building in 1903. Locals built a straw-packed frame over the ice to save it. That year, Fred’s son John built a new ice house. The Gauss family owned the business for more than forty years.,
Ice Harvesting. Prior to artificial refrigeration, people preserved food using natural ice from frozen ponds and lakes. Workers scored and cut blocks of ice, then stored them in ice houses. Sawdust, hay or straw was packed between blocks and in the walls to keep the ice cold. Upon delivery to homes and businesses, the blocks were stored in ice boxes. Ice harvesting declined as electric refrigerators became common household appliances in the 1930s.
Gauss Ice House
In 1883, J. Fred Gauss (1838-1902) bought an ice house 500 feet east of here. He harvested ice blocks from the Kalamazoo River’s mill pond, using sleds and horses to move them. In 1894, he added a steam-powered elevator to move the blocks into the ice house. Fire destroyed the building in 1903. Locals built a straw-packed frame over the ice to save it. That year, Fred’s son John built a new ice house. The Gauss family owned the business for more than forty years.
Ice Harvesting
Prior to artificial refrigeration, people preserved food using natural ice from frozen ponds and lakes. Workers scored and cut blocks of ice, then stored them in ice houses. Sawdust, hay or straw was packed between blocks and in the walls to keep the ice cold. Upon delivery to homes and businesses, the blocks were stored in ice boxes. Ice harvesting declined as electric refrigerators became common household appliances in the 1930s.
Erected 2015 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2267.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location.
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42° 15.769′ N, 84° 57.257′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Michigan, in Calhoun County. Marker is on South Marshall Avenue, 0.1 miles south of River Street, on the right when traveling south. Located at Marshall Hydroelectric plant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 906 S Marshall Ave, Marshall MI 49068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on February 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
