Ice Harvest Part II

Since it is still ice cold in the Northeast, we thought it fitting to share these two videos further documenting the process of harvesting ice from from lakes and ponds. Shot around 1920, these videos compliment the photos from the Library of Congress that we posted previously. The video shows some details of the operation that weren’t initially apparent through the photos. Our favorite of which are the special cleats that the horses are wearing to make sure they have traction on the ice. Interesting to think of a life when something like this was necessary.

Videos found via Archive.org. Thanks to Jan for the tip.

Comments on “Ice Harvest Part II

    OCULUS on March 1, 2011 3:45 PM:

    Cold and boring work, but at least, they had lots of company, including the animals; loved the lunch break for ALL shots. In the second film, I was surprised at how much it had modernized; indeed I contrasted that with the construction in Albany, NY (a few years before this film) of a huge 7-story refrigerated warehouse (NY Central RR trains drove right in to load) that was cooled by ammonia. That was a whole new world of progress.

    31st&State on March 1, 2011 5:03 PM:

    I’m glad I don’t have to suffer through winters like that where I live. However, I do feel growing up in a place that actually has seasons helps build ones character. Plus, I bet the snowboarding isn’t bad either. :P

    Andrea on March 1, 2011 11:29 PM:

    Beautiful films. The editing is really very good for the time period. It made me cold just to watch, however.

    bmx and ash on March 8, 2011 11:03 AM:

    wow glad im only 25

    rwoz on March 13, 2011 3:02 PM:

    that was just wonderful, i watched the whole thing, it was great..!

Comments are closed.