Ice Harvesting on Lake Massasoit

Item Information

Title:
Ice Harvesting on Lake Massasoit
Description:
This photograph shows several the ice harvesting that occurred on Springfield Massachusetts' Lake Massasoit. There are horses pulling sleds that are lead by men, perhaps scoring the ice, and large squares of cleared areas where the harvesting occurred. The picture appears to have been taken somewhere between 1890 and the mid 1930's. Ice harvesting on the pond was a large industry for many decades. The Springfield Ice Company was formed in 1858, and maintained ice houses on the shores of what is now Lake Massasoit. Two large stables were built along the shoreline to house 60 to 80 horses. These horses, along with wagons, were used for ice harvesting up until the early 1930’s, in which trucks took over to make all of the deliveries. Cutting the ice on the pond also ended at this time, as the building of an ice house took place to manufacture ice. In 1809, Lake Massasoit was formed by the army by damming the Mill River. The purpose of the dam was to ensure a constant flow of water downstream for the Springfield Armory “Watershops.” The Springfield Armory was America’s first and last National Armory, formed in 1777 and continuing production up until 1968. The formerly named Watershops Pond has 7 miles of shoreline and covers 186 acres. From 1892-1900, the buildings of Springfield College began to come about, and the name was changed to Lake Massasoit by Springfield College officials. The name came from a local hotel, the Massasoit House, owned by Marvin Chapin, a generous benefactor of the college. In 1920, the college purchased a large area of land on the upper end of the pond, and called it the “Freshman Camp.” Since the college was formed, students, faculty and visitors have used the Pond for sailing, swimming, ice skating and fishing. However, the lake was officially closed for swimming in 1984 when the lake was said to be unhealthy.
Date:
[1890?–1935?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Lake Massasoit
Springfield College--Campus
Springfield (Mass.)
Trees
Horses
Ice
Snow
Lakes & ponds
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/9268
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
rg149-05-02-09-010