Bristol in Hartford County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Southern New England Ice House on Birge Pond
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, March 6, 2016
1. The Southern New England Ice House on Birge Pond Marker
For many years an icehouse stood on the southern shore of Birge Pond at the site of the present-day parking lot. In the days before refrigeration, ice was an important commodity and Birge Pond was the largest supplier of ice to the City of Bristol. The icehouse was by description a large barn about 60 feet long by 30 feet wide and was two stories tall. Packed in dry sawdust and ventilated so as to allow the escape of warm moist air, quality ice might keep for as long as 2 to 3 years. Originally owned by Eli Norton. The Southern New England Ice House, who retained ownership until 1933 when the icehouse, a victim of modern technology, was finally torn down.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 41° 41.3′ N, 72° 56.955′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Connecticut, in Hartford County. Marker is on Crescent Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Crescent Drive, Bristol CT 06010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bristol Civil War Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Forever Honored Forever Mourned (approx. ¾ mile away); Nathan Hale (approx. 0.8 miles away); New Cambridge (now Bristol)
this page online
More about this marker.
The marker is located on the 200 acre Hoppers-Birge Pond Nature Preserve, which is part of the Bristol Park System. The Hoppers refer to the kettle holes created during the last ice age. Several hiking trails connect the Hoppers to Birge Pond, which is noted for its good fishing.
Also see . . .
1. A history of Ice houses to refrigeration. (Submitted on March 15, 2016, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Southern New England Ice House stock certificate. (Submitted on March 15, 2016, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, March 6, 2016
2. The ice house location
The parking lot in the background was the location of the large Southern New England Ice House owned by Eli Norton.
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, March 6, 2016
3. Birge Pond
This pond was the largest supplier of ice to the City of Bristol, CT.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2016, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 493 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2016, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
