Old House Mysteries Solved: The True Function Of Those Curious Small Doors!
Before the widespread availability of electric refrigerators, preserving food freshness presented a formidable challenge. This necessity sparked the ingenious solution of ice delivery—a service that became indispensable to households from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. At the heart of this service lay the concept of ice delivery doors, cleverly integrated into home architecture to streamline the direct and effortless delivery of ice blocks.
These doors were typically small, insulated openings located on the exterior of homes, often leading directly into the kitchen or a designated icebox area. They facilitated ice delivery workers, commonly referred to as icemen, in depositing ice blocks directly into the household’s icebox without the need to enter the premises. This not only slowed the melting of the ice but also upheld the privacy and security of the household.
The ice itself was harvested during winter from lakes and ponds, then stored in vast ice houses insulated with sawdust to maintain its frozen state until warmer months. The advent of ice delivery doors transformed food storage practices, enabling families to preserve perishable items such as meat, dairy, and vegetables for extended durations. This service laid the groundwork for modern refrigeration, playing a pivotal role in enhancing public health by mitigating the risk of foodborne illnesses.
