Rockin’ the Rockwellian
The Ice Plant and The Splashpad
Up until the late 1930’s, the main type of refrigeration
in the home was the ice box. In downtown Winter
Garden was an ice plant which made 300 pound blocks
to refrigerate railroad cars, and also cut blocks down
to 25 pounds (or smaller) for family ice boxes. People
hauled the blocks home on the bumper of their cars or
in wagons, hoping not too much would melt on the trip
home.
The ice plant never closed. It was a stopping place for
an ice cold drink of water when returning home on a
hot night. It was also a place where kids gathered and
grabbed pieces of ice to cool off on a warm