Kazwells Furniture Store Former Ice Plant in FL
Punta Gorda Ice Plant, Punta Gorda Florida
- Categories:
- Florida
- Industrial
The original 1890s ice plant, located on this site, was powered by steam located in the northwest corner of the building. The freezing tanks were in the center of the building and the ice storage area and loading platforms were at the south end. The railroad spur that served the Punta Gorda Hotel also served the ice plant. By 1902, the plant was producing 25 tons of ice per day.
In 1903, the Desoto Manufacturing Company became owners of the ice plant. By 1909, the plant was running 24 hours a day to produce 20 tons of ice daily. Wood burning furnaces generated steam to produce power to run the equipment in the plant. Water was provided from an artesian well. The railroad tracks ran on both the east and west sides of the plant.
In 1913, the Desoto Manufacturing Company was bought out by the Southern Utilities Company. Extensive improvements were made to the plant including the construction of a new brick ice storage building. The storage building measured 41' by 41' with brick walls 21' thick with six inches of cork insulation. In addition, the floor space of the freezing tank area was enlarged by 30' by 60'. A new railroad line was extended from the plant to the fish houses on the Railroad Dock. An office was built on King Street to the southeast of the plant which was known at this time as the Punta Gorda Ice and Electric Company.
In 1926, the citizens voted by referendum to sell their electric power distribution to the Southern Utilities Company. Within a month, the Florida Power and Light Company acquired the Southern Utilities Company and began to construct a new Punta Gorda plant. The power plant was located southeast of the ice plant, across the railroad tracks.
The ice plant was modified by Florida Power and Light Company as it no longer had to generate its own power. The original wood frame building and some of the 1913 additions were removed and replaced by a masonry building which was longer and narrower than its predecessor. The area previously occupied by the boilers and generators was converted into a cold storage area. The 1913 brick ice storage building was retained. Florida Power and Light continued to produce ice to serve the commercial fishing industry, as well as providing for the general use of Punta Gorda during the Boom period.
The Punta Gorda Ice Plant played a significant role in the success of both the fishing and railroad industries in Punta Gorda from 1913 to 1939. Without this facility, fish catches could not be kept fresh to be shipped to northern markets. The ice plant provided the ice that was so integral to the success of the fishing industry not only in Punta Gorda, but as far south as Fort Myers. The fishing long docks and warehouses were destroyed by fire in 1939.
Building Description
Built in 1913 and expanded in 1926, the Ice Plant is a two story red brick commercial style building. The 1913 portion of the building is a gabled brick structure with massive insets.
The building measures 41' by 41 ' with brick walls 21" thick with six inches of cork insulation. In addition, the floor space of the freezing tank area is 30' by 60'.
The 1926 addition, added by the second owner, the Florida Power and Light Company, features such stylistic details as curvilinear parapets and string course. The area previously utilized for boilers and generators was converted to a cold storage area as the plant was now powered by electricity. The original wood sash windows were removed.
The one story cold storage facility has been altered with a mansard roof and glass storefront windows for adaptive use as a furniture showroom.
Front elevation (1988)
Front elevation (1988)
Rear elevation (1988)
