Monroe’s Ice Factory

In 1882, Monroe entrepreneurs decided the area needed an Ice factory.  Keep in mind, ice was the only way to keep things cool back then.  No one had refrigerators, and ice was only available in the winter.

The factory was built at a cost of $10,000.  It was located on Walnut Street approximately where the Children’s Museum stands now.  It is said the factory used water from the river to make the ice (not the most sanitary!)  Newspaper articles though, state they were using well water.  The factory was operational into the 1930’s.