3. The Long Journey Westward
Transporting ice across the continent was a logistical triumph. Insulated railcars and horse-drawn wagons carried heavy blocks through blazing deserts and over rugged mountains. Melting was inevitable, but clever packing—using sawdust and straw—helped minimize losses along the way. Despite the challenges, this remarkable journey brought the luxury of chilled drinks and preserved food to bustling cities like San Francisco and Denver, forever changing daily life on the frontier. Details from History.com
