I always chat about the ice harvesting in Derry when we do cemetery tours in Forest Hill. Harvey Perley Hood, founder of Hood milk, had his dairy farm here. One of the aspects of the business that made it the New England institution is that he was able to harvest ice from Hood Pond. He had a cool ice escalator to move it to the ice house for storage. They were positioned right next to the train station. He utilized the ice to make refrigerated box cars. In this way, he was able to send fresh milk up and down the line effectively. Innovative!
I didn't know Derry was known for its dairy. I have some creamer from Hood in my fridge right now. What a world that was opened up with refrigeration. I did a piece on 1890's Thanksgiving menus awhile back, and it was cool to see how far some of the food had traveled (e.g., Vermont turkey in DC).
@Sarah, love the old video and perfectly timed as I’m in the middle of researching an ice harvester story that will TBD appear over at my Lost & Found Story Box!
It’s a fascinating and dangerous occupation and industry, and one that a lot of Wyoming cowboys took up during their “off-season” 🤠
I look forward to seeing your story. That was one of several videos about the ice harvesting process that Einstein's company made. I used a YouTube link since that was easier to share, but more of the videos were available on the Library of Congress website if you want to search there.
I attended an in person talk last year through the Amherst Historical Association given by an expert on ice harvesting practices. He had a slide talk and also brought a bunch of the tools that were used. I had no idea it was such a big business!
That would have been fascinating! From the little research I’ve already done, the railroads were hugely involved in the business, at least out West, which adds a whole different aspect to the story. I’m focusing (I think 😉) on the 1882 ice crop failure. TBD Thanks for the tips.
One of the great by-products of family history is the social and economic history we learn along the way. I have learned so much about the major industries that built this continent through studying my ancestors' jobs!
Great read, Frank worked in construction at some point too. I took a picture of a stone wall he made outside their house in Northside.
I always chat about the ice harvesting in Derry when we do cemetery tours in Forest Hill. Harvey Perley Hood, founder of Hood milk, had his dairy farm here. One of the aspects of the business that made it the New England institution is that he was able to harvest ice from Hood Pond. He had a cool ice escalator to move it to the ice house for storage. They were positioned right next to the train station. He utilized the ice to make refrigerated box cars. In this way, he was able to send fresh milk up and down the line effectively. Innovative!
I didn't know Derry was known for its dairy. I have some creamer from Hood in my fridge right now. What a world that was opened up with refrigeration. I did a piece on 1890's Thanksgiving menus awhile back, and it was cool to see how far some of the food had traveled (e.g., Vermont turkey in DC).
@Sarah, love the old video and perfectly timed as I’m in the middle of researching an ice harvester story that will TBD appear over at my Lost & Found Story Box!
It’s a fascinating and dangerous occupation and industry, and one that a lot of Wyoming cowboys took up during their “off-season” 🤠
I look forward to seeing your story. That was one of several videos about the ice harvesting process that Einstein's company made. I used a YouTube link since that was easier to share, but more of the videos were available on the Library of Congress website if you want to search there.
I attended an in person talk last year through the Amherst Historical Association given by an expert on ice harvesting practices. He had a slide talk and also brought a bunch of the tools that were used. I had no idea it was such a big business!
That would have been fascinating! From the little research I’ve already done, the railroads were hugely involved in the business, at least out West, which adds a whole different aspect to the story. I’m focusing (I think 😉) on the 1882 ice crop failure. TBD Thanks for the tips.
One of the great by-products of family history is the social and economic history we learn along the way. I have learned so much about the major industries that built this continent through studying my ancestors' jobs!