White Enamel Refrigerator Company Icebox
Prior to the invention of the refrigerator, keeping perishable foods from spoiling was a major concern. As updates came into early houses of Sioux Falls, one desired amenity was an icebox. The icebox was invented in the mid-1800s as a way to keep these perishable items safe for a longer period of time. These insulated boxes were designed to hold a block of ice and keep the contents of the box cool. Ice blocks were cut from the river during the winter months and were delivered from house to house throughout the year. For some great examples of iceboxes, check out the exhibit Cooking Up History at the Old Courthouse Museum or take a tour of the Pettigrew Home. The icebox in the Pettigrew pantry is a new donation which was manufactured by the White Enamel Refrigerator Company in St. Paul, Minnesota.