Once upon a time

Icemakers - This photo in Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," shows ice being cut up and stored along the banks of Salt Creek near Washington and Spring Road. "Fullersburg's Mammoth Springs Ice Company, a prosperous natural ice business before the days of refrigeration, was begun by John Ruchty in 1880. When the ice on Salt Creek was about 16 inches thick, it was cut into 24-inch blocks. Workmen are shown maneuvering the floating ice to the horse-powered conveyor belt that carried the blocks to the top of the icehouse."