Bowling Green in Wood County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ice House, 1905

Photographed By Craig Doda, November 12, 2021

1. Ice House, 1905 Marker

Inscription. Given the fluctuating number of inmates living in the Wood County Infirmary, it was logical for the Wood County Commissioners to approve the construction of an ice house to store and preserve perishable foods. Cement blocks from the demolition of the 1868 Wood County Jail in Bowling Green were sold to the infirmary for $100. Superintendent Edwin Farmer and several male inmates hauled recycled bricks from downtown Bowling Green to the infirmary grounds. Toledo Architect S.P. Stewart & Son designed the structure at a cost of $3,634. Construction on the ice house began in 1903 and was completed in 1905 with a final cost of $3,500.

In 1886, the first water reservoir was dug on infirmary grounds. When the ice house first opened, the reservoir provided 300 tons of ice for cold storage.

Fun Fact

The 1868 version of the Wood County Jail is where Carl Bach was executed for the murder of his wife Mary in 1881. Learn more by visiting The Mary & Carl Bach exhibit inside the museum.

Wood County Jail, 1868

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 41° 21.026′ N, 83° 37.025′ W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Ohio, in Wood

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County. Marker is on County Home Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bowling Green OH 43402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chicken Coop, Wash House, and Wood Shed, 1873 (a few steps from this marker); Cisterns, Ponds, and Privies (a few steps from this marker); Boiler House, 1898 (a few steps from this marker); Gas Plant, 1906 (within shouting distance of this marker); Wood County Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Lunatic Asylum 1885 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Wood County Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Pestilence House 1933 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.

Photographed By Craig Doda, November 12, 2021

2. Ice House, 1905 Marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, November 12, 2021

3. Ice House, 1905 Marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, November 12, 2021

4. Ice House, 1905 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.