WHEN WAS THE ICEHOUSE BUILT AND HOW LONG WAS IT USED?
WAS IT USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE?

Artifacts and the layers of soil and building debris help us date two major periods of use for the outbuilding. We found two built floors in the interior; the original floor dug 2' below the surface on top of which artifacts of various types had accumulated; and a brick and mortar floor built some 25 cm (10") above the original floor. This uppermost floor brought the level of the interior up to near the level of the threshold. On top of the second brick and mortar floor there was an additional 25 cm (10") of artifacts and debris.

A profile drawing of the icehouse excavation showing the original sunken floor (the base of level 2) and the later floor flush with the threshold.

A penny dated 1873 was found just on top of the original floor level that was dug about 2' below the ground surface. Other artifacts such as plate, saucer, and cup fragments that date to the last quarter of the nineteenth century were also recovered from just above the original floor. Most of these artifacts were the result of broken dishes that were intentionally or inadvertently deposited into the icehouse. Since we know the Peel family occupied the home from between 1875 and 1904, we can safely say these tablewares were used in the Peel household. Other artifacts, such as storage crock fragments and two pitchers suggest the icehouse was also used to cool and store some foods during this period. Although we cannot say precisely when the building was constructed, the artifacts certainly indicate it was built around the same time as the Peel house, which was finished in 1875.

A second coin, a nickel dating to 1920, was found just above the brick and mortar floor. Artifacts found in this top layer were much different from those recovered from the lower layer underneath the brick and mortar floor. Several tools, machinery parts, door hardware, nails, and coal fragments were recovered in the top layer. These finds indicate the building was used as a tool shed and storage building after the construction of the brick and mortar floor. The floor level was built up from the original icehouse "basement" floor so one wouldn't have to step down 2' to enter the building. We think the Ammons family, who bought the house in 1914, added the brick and mortar floor and subsequently used the old "icehouse" as a tool and storage shed. Many of the artifacts recovered from the top layer date to the period when this family lived here. The renovation of the building included a new roof and stucco that was applied to the exterior to match that of the house. From historical records we know the stucco was applied sometime between 1915 and 1925.

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