Elsah in Jersey County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Ice House
Block 5 - Lot 8 - 2 Mill Street
Photographed By Jason Voigt, February 12, 2023
1. The Ice House Marker
Inscription.
The Ice House. Block 5 - Lot 8 - 2 Mill Street. This ruin is all that remains of a building that was constructed in the middle 1800s of stone that was quarried locally from the bluffs along the Mississippi River. It was originally a private home and meeting place for the people of Elsah. The property was purchased by Christian Loehr in 1873 from the Elsah Building and Manufacturing Company. It was later converted to an ice house. , Ice harvesting was an economic activity on the Mississippi River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. River ice was cut into blocks and transported to the local buildings for storage until used in the warmer months. At one time, there were five ice houses in Elsah. In this photo from that period, men can be seen cutting ice by hand.
This ruin is all that remains of a building that was constructed in the middle 1800s of stone that was quarried locally from the bluffs along the Mississippi River. It was originally a private home and meeting place for the people of Elsah. The property was purchased by Christian Loehr in 1873 from the Elsah Building and Manufacturing Company. It was later converted to an ice house.
Ice harvesting was an economic activity on the Mississippi River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. River ice was cut into blocks and transported to the local buildings for storage until used in the warmer months. At one time, there were five ice houses in Elsah. In this photo from that period, men can be seen cutting ice by hand.
Erected 2017 by Historic Elsah Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 38° 57.158′ N, 90° 21.723′ W. Marker is in Elsah, Illinois, in Jersey County. Marker is at the intersection of Mill Street and Elm Street, on the right when traveling north on Mill Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Mill St, Elsah IL 62028, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. World War I Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
