Pictured here is the ice house on the Blanchester Reservoir.
Natural ice cut from ponds, lakes and rivers was a large industry from the early 1800s until the early 1930s when electric refrigerators made the need for it another part of history. Ice was cut in blocks and use for residential “ice boxes” and refrigerated train cars to keep meat and fish fresh on cross country trips.
This wikipedia is an excellent overview of the historical importance and use of natural ice. Make sure to view the 1919 video showing the whole process from cutting to warehousing ice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cutting
