File:Moore's Ice House - Skootamatta Lake - Flickr - Cloyne ^ District Historical Society.jpg

In an article entitled 'The Loon Lake Colony 1922-2012' by Bob Blatchford, David Oborne and Jim Oborne ice houses were described:

"Up until 1953 when Hydro arrived, cottage life was rustic and basic. You were lucky to have running water via a hand pump. Wood stoves were your oven and heat in the early mornings. Most people had ice houses and ice boxes. Leo and Elburn Meeks Sr. cut the ice on the lake and using a horse drawn sleigh, took the blocks to the cottage ice house each winter. They spread sawdust on the ice to help it survive the summer heat. The ice box in the cottage was zinc lined and made of oak. The ice was put on the top level, food inside. They was a tray on the bottom to collect water. The ice had to be replaced every 2 days." More history of the Loon Lake Colony can be seen here: (reprinted from the 2012 SDRA Newsletter, written by Bob Blatchford, David Oborne and edited by Jim Oborne) pioneer.mazinaw.on.ca/Loon%20Lake%20Colony%20July%201%201... Part of the Bill Machan Album Note: Commercial use of this image is prohibited without CDHS permission. All CDHS Flickr content is available for personal use providing our Rights Statement is followed: