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In the early 1800s, the Portland Gazette proclaimed that “Maine is the ice-storehouse of the world.” For nearly two centuries, the harvesting and export of natural ice was a staple of Maine’s economy. It had a reputation as the thickest, purest ice money could buy. Kennebec ice, in particular, was advertised up and down the East Coast as the premier product. Its ice was so prized for its purity and thickness that it was shipped as far away as India and China.
Maine’s ice industry began in the early 1800s and peaked in the 1870s. By the early 1900s, however, the industry was in decline. This was due to a number of factors, including the development of artificial refrigeration and the expansion of the railroads, which made it possible to transport ice from other parts of the country.
Despite its decline, the Maine ice industry left a lasting legacy. This is evident in the many stories, songs, and poems that have been written about it. In addition, the ice industry was responsible for the state’s first millionaires, as well as a political controversy that resulted in Maine’s admission to the Union.