Where is the ice dam in Colebrook pa?

Answer 1

The Colebrook ice dam is no more. Before modern refrigeration, everyone bought ice blocks (a chunk of ice weighing 25 to 50 lbs) to keep their "refigerator" (essentially a wooden box) cold. It was necessary to buy from the ice company a new block of ice every few days. Jacob and Blanche Stober had an ice storaqe house located on the site of the current Mt. Gretna Fire Company building, and from which the Stober's sold ice from the ice dam. By 1950's at the latest, the ice operations at both places became relics.

During the winter the ice company cut ice blocks from the frozen surface of the lake, and stored the ice covered with saw dust. The saw dust was clean and acted as a good insulator, and kept the ice frozen for many months. As needed, the stored ice was taken from the storeage area and delivered around the area to paying customers.

Type in "Mt. Gretna" in Google maps. Follow Rt.117 (Mt Gretna Road) west about 1 mile. Just north of Rt 117, you will see "Lake Duffy", which is what everyone used to call "Colebrook Ice Dam". I believe this is on Pennsylvania State Game Lands and managed by the Commission. Last time I looked, several years ago, the "Ice Dam" was empty.

Please note that Colebrook is only about 2 miles from Mt. Gretna. Apparently, there is another Colebrook, and Google leads you astray to the wrong Colebrook if you try to search for Colebrook. THat is why you search for Mt. Gretna.

John Young