Black-And-White Photo Of A Horse Harnessed To A Wooden Wagon Labeled “Ice Wagon,” With Two Men Seated On The Front Bench On A Dirt Road Near The Shoreline And A Steamer In The Distance.

Before refrigerators, Harbor Springs stayed cool the hard way: ice delivered by wagon, with a steamer — possibly the Manitou — smoking across the bay.

Before the Fridge: Ice Delivery at Harbor Point

A pair of icemen pause with their horse-drawn ice wagon behind the Harbor Point clubhouse in Harbor Springs.

by Michaela NolteJanuary 31, 2026January 30, 2026

A horse-drawn ice wagon is parked behind the clubhouse at Harbor Point in Harbor Springs, with two workers perched on the seat and blocks of ice loaded in back.

Before home refrigerators, icemen delivered ice for kitchen “iceboxes” — a hard, everyday job that kept summer food from spoiling. Out on Little Traverse Bay, the note written on the back identifies the smoking steamer as the Manitou coming in.

Do you have family stories about ice delivery, summer resorts, or boats arriving in Harbor Springs?

MichiganHistory #HarborSprings #GreatLakes #NorthernMichigan #VintageMichigan

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Michaela Nolte

Michaela is a history buff and loves to export historical markers and old buildings and seeks stories about Michigan and Great Lakes history. When she is not writing, you can find her with a good book sipping wine on the beach.

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