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Crystal Ice House: A Frozen Relic of Pensacola's Past

A whimsical roadside landmark in Pensacola, the Crystal Ice House is a nostalgic reminder of the days before modern refrigeration.

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The Crystal Ice House, built in 1932, is a unique roadside stand in Pensacola, Florida, that once provided locals with ice before modern refrigeration. Its distinctive architecture, designed to resemble a block of ice, makes it a beloved landmark and a reminder of a bygone era.

A brief summary to Crystal Ice House

  • 501 E Jordan St, Pensacola, Southeast Pensacola, Florida, 32503, US

Local tips

  • Take a moment to appreciate the unique architecture, designed to resemble a block of ice.
  • Look for the hand signal guide on the building, which customers used to order ice.
  • There is street parking available around the Crystal Ice House, making it easily accessible.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Crystal Ice House is located at 501 E Jordan St, in the Eastside neighborhood of Pensacola. If you are in the vicinity, such as near the Chappie James Museum, it's a short walk. Simply head north on N Davis Hwy, then turn left onto E Jordan St. The Crystal Ice House will be on your left.

  • Public Transport

    Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) provides bus service in Pensacola. Check the ECAT website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules to determine the closest bus stop to the Crystal Ice House. From the bus stop, you may need to walk a short distance to reach the destination.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxi and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Pensacola. Simply enter "Crystal Ice House" as your destination, and the driver will take you directly to the location. A short trip from downtown Pensacola should cost approximately $10-$15, depending on traffic and demand.

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Discover more about Crystal Ice House

The Crystal Ice House stands as a charming reminder of Pensacola's pre-refrigeration days. Built in 1932, this small building was one of four ice houses in the city that supplied residents and the local fishing industry with ice. Designed by Steve Fulghum, its architecture is a whimsical representation of its function, resembling a block of ice adorned with (not remotely lifelike) faux icicles. Before the advent of household refrigerators, the Crystal Ice House played an integral role in the daily lives of Pensacolians. Customers would drive up to the icehouse and use hand signals to indicate the amount of ice they needed; these signals were displayed on a sign on the building. The Crystal Ice House remained in operation until the 1950s. Today, the Crystal Ice House is a protected historic site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983. It was also named one of the "Seven Wonders of Pensacola" by the Pensacola News Journal in 2007. Though no longer selling ice, its quirky design and historical significance continue to capture the imagination of locals and tourists alike.

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