The Forgotten Ice House of Bombay: A Chilling Tale from the Past

Before refrigerators came into homes, Bombay had a special place where people stored ice, and it wasn’t made here. It was shipped all the way from America! Yes, it does sound unbelievable! This forgotten tale marks an important part of Bombay’s rich history. Every nook and corner of this city has a story to tell, and today, we discover the forgotten Ice House of Bombay!

What Was the Ice House?

The Ice House was a specially designed building meant to store ice, not local ice, but ice brought all the way from New England, specifically Boston, in the United States. In the 1800s, there were no freezers or ice-making machines. In hot cities like Bombay, ice was an expensive luxury, used by the wealthy, British officers, clubs, and hospitals. To store the ice safely, our city needed a well-built structure that could keep it from melting quickly. That’s why the Ice House was created,  thick-walled, with very few windows, and designed to stay cool inside. It does sound strange, but large blocks of ice were cut from lakes in the U.S. during winter, packed in sawdust to prevent melting, and placed inside ships. These ships then sailed thousands of kilometres around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa before arriving in Bombay, a journey that took nearly four months.

Surprisingly, a lot of the ice survived the long trip, and it finally reached Bombay in 1843. However, the person responsible for this historic adventure is Frederic Tudor, an American businessman who had a crazy-sounding idea: to sell ice from America. He was nicknamed the "Ice King", and Bombay became one of his successful destinations. Thanks to him, for the first time, people in India could enjoy cold drinks and preserve food using real ice.

The Famous Ice Cream Party at Jejeebhoy’s House

One of the most unforgettable moments linked to the Ice House came shortly after the first shipment of ice arrived. The respected Parsi businessman, who is responsible for Bombay’s evolution to Mumbai - Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy hosted a grand party, and made history by serving ice cream for the first time in Bombay. Now, for more context, this was the first time that Bombay residents had ever tried something made out of ice! The ice for the dessert came from the Ice House, and new to most people, thus, it became the talk of the town. This event showed everyone how useful the imported ice could be, not just for hospitals or drinks, but for other daily life routines as well. The Ice House was located near the sea at Maharshi Karve Road, close to Churchgate, near the Lion Gate. This spot made it easy to unload ice straight from ships and store it quickly. The structure was built strong and solid to handle Bombay’s heat. 

At first, ice was only used by the wealthy. It helped cool drinks, keep dairy and meat fresh, and provide relief to sick patients. Hotels, clubs, and hospitals were the main customers. For ordinary people, ice was something rare and special. The city’s British residents were especially fond of it, as it reminded them of home. Slowly, the idea of using ice became more popular, and people began to dream of having it in their homes.

What Happened to the Ice House?

As time passed, new technology allowed people to make ice locally. Machines and ice factories were built, and the need to import ice from America faded. The Ice House lost its importance. The building was later used for government offices and other purposes. Today, it still stands, but many people walk past it without knowing the incredible story it holds. The Ice House may look like just another old building today, but it tells a fascinating story about innovation, global trade, and the changing lifestyle of Bombay.