|
Home : Quarterly Archives : Volume 16 |
Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society |
|
Source: June 1972 Volume 16 Number 1, Pages 18–22 The Berwyn Ice Plant The Berwyn Ice Plant played an important role in its vicinity in the early part of the twentieth century, that period of time when fresh and perishable foods from other parts of the world became available, and when electric refrigeration for home use was still in the future. There were few homes in Berwyn having spring houses, the standby of the farmers for cooling milk and storing foods. The swinging shelves, usually found hanging from rafters in basements, were at best rather limited. Ice boxes became the homemakers' trusted "safe" and were welcomed into kitchens' despite the of time inconvenience of running out of ice and the daily chore of emptying the drip pan. Ice became a very important commodity, not exactly a "liquid" asset for on a summer day a twenty-five cent cake of ice could melt to the ten-cent size while being transported a few miles on a running board of a car. Early in 1900 some enterprising businessman had the following information circulated:
"Information Concerning the Proposed Ice Berwyn, Chester County, Penna, within whose limits the erection and operation of an Ice Manufacturing and Electrical Plant, combined, is in contemplation is a thriving town with a population of about 1200 people, situated in the eastern end of the said county, seventeen and one-half miles west of Broad Street Station, Philadelphia. The environments of the town are unsurpassed by any section in the state of Pennsylvania in natural advantages, picturesque scenery, and historical associations. The town is centrally located in a thickly settled farming district, through which are scattered many fine country seats of wealthy Philadelphia merchants and capitalists. The lot upon which it is proposed to erect this plant is the property of J. R. Keller, and is located in the eastern end of Berwyn, with a frontage of 317 feet on Lancaster Avenue, the principal thorough-fare of the place, and a depth of 200 feet, adjoining the property of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company on the north. The deed of said property gives a full description of area, boundaries, etc. The ground has been carefully graded on a level with Lancaster Avenue for a depth of 150 feet, beyond which the excavations are sixteen feet higher; this latter portion being well adapted for the erection of a railroad siding with drop coal bins. The entire frontage of this lot is faced with substantial stone curbing and gutters. The improvements upon this piece of land at the present time consist of the following buildings: Two dwelling houses constructed of frame and stone, one large stable (frame) on the western end with a capacity for stabling twelve head of stock, one stable, with wagon sheds, on the eastern end, with accommodations for six head of stock, spring house and meat store combined, fronting on Lancaster Avenue, and a new frame office building, 18 x 18 feet in dimensions, also fronting on the same avenue. A most valuable feature of this property is a never-failing spring of excellent water, noted for its purity, with a capacity of fifty gallons per minute. This property is finely adapted by both location and natural advantages for the purposes of the establishment of the aforesaid plants. In this community they would fill a long existing demand and be highly productive of good financial results. At the present time there is no ice plant of considerable capacity nearer than Lancaster, Pa. on the west, and Philadelphia on the east; and no electrical plant closer than Wayne, Penna. An excellent opportunity for a profitable investment will be found in the establishment of these industries in Berwyn. Full particulars will be furnished upon application to
Chas. Z. Jones, The above advertisement bore fruit in the following: "THIS AGREEMENT made the 15th day of April 1901, between CHARLES Z. JONES of Berwyn, Penna., party of the first part, and S. J. MATTHEWS, of Valley Forge, Penna., party of the second part, WITNESSETH: The party of the first part agrees to build and construct the buildings at Berwyn for an ice plant, according to the plans and specifications, prepared and furnished by the Vilter Manufacturing Company, of Milwaukee, Wis., consisting of the main building, boiler and engine room. All to be constructed of first class material and finished in workmanlike manner. The party of the second part is to pay to the party of the first a sum total amounting to Sixty-five hundred ($6500) Dollars, payments to be made as the work progresses and the work to be satisfactory in every respect to the party of the second part, and to the Vilter Manufacturing Company. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the said party of the first part hath hereunto set his hand and seal and the party of the second part hath hereunto set his hand and seal. Dated the day and year above written. (Signed) C. Z. Jones (Signed) E. J. Matthews" Charles Z. Jones was well known in Berwyn. He was a duly elected auditor for the Township of Tredyffrin, according to a notarized affidavit bearing date of September 20, 1902. On October 4, 1901 he became a 2/16 owner of a steamer called the W. J. Latta for the purchase price of five dollars. He apparently did not devote much time to this venture, for the work progressed on the ice plant. The Berwyn Ice Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania on August 15, 1901. Mr. Edward J. Matthews was a Director and President of the Company. Mr. Jones was also a Director and General Manager. Between the date of incorporation and January 3, 1902, Mr. Matthews died. Mr. Jones wrote as follows:
"Berwyn, Penna.
To the Executors Gentlemen: I feel it my imperative duty to acquaint you with Mr. Matthews' views in regard to the management of the business of this company, and with certain instructions concerning the management of the same given me personally by him prior to his death, so as to furnish you with comprehensive knowledge with this part of his estate. It was the intention of Mr. Matthews to conduct a retail business of the product of the ice plant. In order to prepare for this, I was authorized to purchase the necessary horses, wagons, harness, and equipment for this feature of the business. Orders for the wagons and harness have already been placed in accordance with the verbal instructions of Mr. Matthews, deceased. I was also directed by him to erect sheds and other necessary buildings for the storage of the aforesaid equipment, work upon which is now underway. Also, further acting under his personal direction, I made a contract with an engineer, who is now in our employ, to run the engine of the ice plant for one year, beginning November 1st 1901, and also contracts with competent drivers, who were secured from other ice companies, to man our teams during the season beginning April 1st 1902. These arrangements in regard to both equipment and employes cannot now be broken without incurring the danger of involving our company in suits for breach of contract. All of Mr. Matthews instructions in regard to making preparations for the retail trade have been complied with by me excepting the purchase of horses, which were to be bought by me as soon as I found animals suitable for the purpose. The figures estimated for this expenditure were made out by Mr. Matthews and are now in the possession of Mr. Eggleston, Secretary and Treasurer of the company. This part of the business of the Berwyn Ice Company is now in such shape that a retrograde movement cannot well be made. If it is your desire to sell this property, it is absolutely necessary for you to be thoroughly familiar with these arrangements so that in the event, of a sale the aforesaid equipment, etc., may be included as well as arrangements be made for the protection of the men employed in order that the estate may avoid any litigation that might arise therefrom." An agreement was signed on May 2, 1902 by Berwyn Ice Co., C. Z. Jones, Manager, with the Delaware and Atlantic Telegraph and Telephone Company for the placement and maintenance of underground corduit, cable, pole, junction box and wires on premises situated on the North side of Lancaster Pike, the West property line being opposite the East line of Woodside Ave., Berwyn, Pa." The office was in a one story building about twenty by twenty-four feet, fronting on Lancaster Pike, with sheds adjoining it at the back. This building, 577 Lancaster Avenue, is still standing, and in use by Total Comfort, Carrier Air Conditioning and Heating Company. The open sheds were converted into fully enclosed space and the structure bares the appearance of a single long building. Mr. Jones managed the Berwyn Ice Company for two years, leaving the business about 1904. The Jones' home was located on the southeast corner of Kromer and Station Avenues in Berwyn. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Potts were the owners and occupants of the dwelling when it was destroyed by fire in November of 1962. A Mr. Turner succeeded Mr. Jones as Manager of the Berwyn Ice Company. Mr. Turner lived on the southeast corner of Berwyn and Woodside Avenues. Miss Florence Blackwood worked in the office during that period. The ice plant was built on ground Frederick Mathews purchased from John F. Keller on February 27, 1901. This is part of a tract which John McLeod et ux conveyed to George M. Aman et ux on March 1, 1900. Mr. Frederick Mathews of Valley Forge was one of the Directors of the Berwyn Ice Company. The other four Directors were Edward J. Mathews, also of Valley Forge, President of the Company; Henry C. Eggleston of Philadelphia, Treasurer; Jacob N. Donaldson, Philadelphia; and Charles Z. Jones of Berwyn. A mortgage was placed on the property September 1, 1906 with the Union Trust Company, later the Merchants Union Trust Company. Upon default in payments, the mortgage was foreclosed. George M. Turner and Winfield S. Caldwell, Receivers for the "Berwyn Freezing Company" granted the property to Francis Rawle, Attorney, on April 20, 1913. Mr. Rawle sold the property to the Bryn Mawr Ice Company on May 20, 1913. Mr. Norman Sheetz became manager of the Berwyn plant with Miss Rachel Kelley as his secretary. Mr. Joseph Fitzgerald was Plant Engineer. He boarded with Mrs. Nuzum on Main Avenue until after his marriage to Miss Florence Parr. During his ten year tenure, Mr. Fitzgerald saw the horse drawn wagons replaced by ice trucks. The high red brick building went up after the Bryn Mawr Ice Company bought the plant in the Spring of 1913, and before the Warner Dairy began operation in 1914 in the Old Spring Mill Tavern, east of the ice plant. That old tavern is now used by Main Line Castings. Mr. Florry, who owned a brick yard toward Reading, supplied the bricks, and the structure was often referred to as "Mr. Florry's brick building". The heighth of the building was a seven-day wonder at the time, and when a man employed as a baker at Hoffman's Bakery in Berwyn scaled the wall by walking up the side with the aid of ropes, it was considered quite a feat. This brick building was constructed as a storage plant for the ice and had a capacity of two thousand tons. The building was cork insulated throughout. Refuse from the construction was dumped along the stream on the south side of Lancaster Pike, which was all open ground. Small boys used to fashion boats from the discarded cork and sail them in the water. The Bryn Mawr Ice Company sold ice from this location until the late 1940's. The sign atop the brick building: "Ice Never Fails" did not prove too convincing as electric refrigerators were again on the market after the Second World War. The "Bryn Mawr Manufacturing and Cold Storage Company" sold the property to Ernest J. Conte on January 12, 1951. Mr. Conte sold to Alvin and Edith Enders on January 4, 1956. The Enders conducted the "Ender Sign Company" on the premises during their occupancy. After Mr. Ender's death, his widow sold the property to Mr. William R. Stafford, Proprietor of Ye Olde Beef and Ale House" on June 17, 1971. Demolition of the red brick storage building was started shortly thereafter, but the work went slowly until a wrecking crew came on the job and levelled the structure in short order. The original building of the Berwyn Ice Company, 571-575 Lancaster Avenue, is still standing, with the sign of "Electrode Products Company" displayed. The above article was researched and compiled from original documents and is in the possession of the Tredyffrin Easttown History Club. Transfers and deeds were examined in the Chester County Court House. Grateful acknowledgment is hereby made to the following who contributed from their own recollection:
Mr. Edward M. Jones, son of Charles Z. Jones |
|
Page last updated: 2022-06-13 at 12:33 EDT |