The Ice Trade
The ice trade was started in 1806 in New England by a man named Fredric Tudor.
Large sheets of ice were harvested from the lakes, stored in ice houses and transported by rail or barge. The use of ice revolutionized the U.S. meat, vegetable and fruit industries and bolstered the fish and brewing economies. By the end of the 19th century the ice trade was a $28million industry employing more than 90,000 people.