“Ice cream is happiness condensed.”
-Jessie Lane Adams
Ice cream might not be the first
thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Old West, but as early as 1880
ice cream parlors were all the rage and began springing up in even the most out
of the way places. Some frontier towns like Tombstone had more than one.
Marshal Wyatt Earp didn’t drink, but
he sure did love his ice cream. Every afternoon he headed for the Tombstone
ice cream parlor on Fourth Street. It’s not hard to imagine that he was
on his way to enjoy his favorite dish when he got sidetracked by the shootout
at O.K. Corral.
“Ice-cream is exquisite. What a pity it
isn’t illegal.”
-Voltaire
Many restaurants, hotels and inns
advertised Ice Cream and Oysters. Fortunately, the two weren’t served together;
ice cream was the summer treat and oysters a winter delicacy.
Some parlors were quite fancy. One in San Antonio advertised plush carpets, oak furnishings and stained glass windows, but ice cream was also sold out of wagons (the first good humor men?) and tents. Churches also got into the act and ice cream socials rapidly grew in popularity.
Nothing Says Love Like Ice Cream
Many a young man courted his lady
love at an ice cream parlor. A Texas newspaper in the 1880s had this advice:
"Love takes away the appetite. If the woman of your dreams is on her third
dish of ice cream, she’s not in love with you."
The same newspaper also announced
the wedding of a young couple who had known each other for only
“fifteen minutes” before tying the knot. But a successful marriage was assured
as both had a passion for ice cream.
Ice cream came in
all flavors including fruit and even chocolate.
Then, as now, the
most popular was vanilla. One flavor you might have found in those old time ice cream parlors that you won’t find today is avocado.
most popular was vanilla. One flavor you might have found in those old time ice cream parlors that you won’t find today is avocado.
Toward the end of the 1880s
newspapers began issuing warnings against overindulging in that “insidious foe
of health” ice cream. As far as I can tell no one paid much heed
to the caveats and no such warning was issued for oysters.
So Where Did All That Ice Come From?
Before the train, ice was wrapped in
sawdust and transported by wagons. The early ice houses
were merely barns insulated with three foot walls of sawdust and hay. By
the late 1880s, most western towns had their own ice houses and Tombstone had
two.
Tell me your favorite ice cream and
(at least I’ll try)!
Working undercover is no job for a lady!
Preorder book #1 of Margaret's exciting new series from your favorite bookstore or click cover to order online
Working undercover is no job for a lady!
Preorder book #1 of Margaret's exciting new series from your favorite bookstore or click cover to order online
Hi Margaret! I love your post today. I had no idea that Marshall Wyatt Earp and I had something in common....a love of ice cream! As a child, it was a wonderful treat after eating out to be treated to ice cream. My tried and true favorite.....chocolate chip!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Hi Melanie, according to the ice cream experts your love for chocolate chip ice cream means you are competitive and accomplished; no victory is sweet without a little hard work and you never take your blessings for granted. You're also generous with your time and money and shine at social affairs.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I think I'll sprinkle some chocolate chips onto my next dish of ice cream.
Well, it's definitely not avocado! I prefer black raspberry. Thanks for the fun post! I didn't realize ice cream was part of the Wild West.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca those who like berry ice cream are thought to be devoted, tolerant and young at heart!
DeleteMy favorite ice cream is chocolate fudge brownie! Thanks for your post. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite has always been pistachio!!! Thanks for your post!! God Bless and take care#!!
ReplyDelete