Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Ice House Museum
Prairie Pathways - An Interpretive Journey
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 18, 2025
1. Ice House Museum Marker
End of the Ice Age
Before the era of electric refrigeration, natural ice was harvested from the Cedar River and stored in the ice house owned by Cedar Falls Ice and Fuel Company. Built in 1921, the building was 100 feet in diameter, had hollow tile walls 30 feet high, and could hold 6,000-8,000 tons of ice. The ice blocks taken from the river, weighing up to 200 pounds, were stored in sawdust and could remain frozen for 12 months. Ice was delivered to homes in 25 and 50 pound blocks.
The last ice harvest in Cedar Falls was in 1934. Over the years the former ice house was used as a sales pavilion, an ice skating rink, and for boat storage. When the building was threatened with demolition in 1975, a community fundraising effort paid for restoration work and the building became part of the Cedar Falls Historical Society. It has survived several floods, and today the museum displays exhibits and artifacts about the ice harvest industry and related history of Cedar Falls.
Erected by Cedar Valley Trails.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 42° 32.302′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Cedar Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); Sturgis Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lawn City (about 500 feet away); Millrace (about 500 feet away); Jacob Hoffman Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Overman Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Soldiers Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar Falls.
Also see . . . Cedar Falls Ice House on Wikipedia.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 18, 2025
2. Ice House Museum Marker
looking north on the Center Street bridge
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 18, 2025
3. Ice House Museum
Home of Cedar Falls Historical Society
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
