The Delta Ice Company Retail Station was constructed in 1929 in the triangle formed by the intersection of Openwood, First East, and First North streets.
It was designed by Vicksburg architect Michael Donovan as, what was described by the Vicksburg Evening Post, as “a new type of retail station for ice, a place that will easily meet the public demand for quick service, where autos can dive in and be accommodated with very little delay and be sheltered from the sun and rains, in addition to being a decided improvement and ornament for that portion of the city.”
Built for $12,000, the building was described as being “20 feet 8 inches wide and 47 feet long, with two 9-feet driveways. At the east end is located the office and engine room 8 by 16 feet, and the cold storage room, 10 by 15 feet, and a service platform for loading ice into the cold storage and drawing out for retailing through a vending machine. The refrigerating plant will be able to take care of ten tons of ice and keep the temperature below freezing point to avoid shrinking of the stored ice. The condenser will discharge waste thru the pretty little fountain that will play continuously in cooling the water and thus serve a utilitarian purpose as well as forming a feature of beauty to the building. The building is on Spanish lines of concrete and stucco construction with stucco done in light creamy buff and with the wrought iron grilles over the arch embrasures will give a decidedly Spanish effect. The surrounding lot will be graded and planted with lawn grass and flowers, and trees of semi-tropical variety will be planted to further carry out the Spanish effect.”
The company also sold refrigerators that could be purchased with only 85 cents down and “balance on terms to suit purchaser.” If one bought a refrigerator in the month of April 1929, he or she would receive 1,000 pounds of ice. The manager of this plant and the company’s other plant on Mulberry Street and the plants in St. Joseph, Tallulah and Lake Providence, was J. L. Blackwell. The board of directors of the Delta Ice Company included J. M. Dutton, J. L Blackwell, J. K Hirsch, John Brunini, P. L. Hennessey, John Hennessey, Sam Albrecht, R. F. Evans, Dr. V. Bonelli, George Williamson, and J. C. McDermott.
In 1939, Jack Blackwell left the company to build his own ice plant in Waltersville. By 1949, he was advertising that he had three stations, including the one on Openwood Street. The building was eventually sold and walls added to make use of the old drive-through space.
In 1991, it was vacant and in 1998, it became the home of Delta Cleaners, which it remains today.
Nancy Bell, Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.
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