Chicago Illinois Horse Drawn Superior Ice Company Porter Druggists 1907 Real Photo Postcard

The "Superior Ice Company" postcard depicts a horse-drawn delivery wagon, characteristic of urban and suburban services in the early 20th century. The prominent display of "Manufactured Ice" indicates the shift from natural ice harvesting, which relied on frozen bodies of water, to a more consistent and sanitary supply produced in ice plants. This transition, beginning in the late 19th century, made ice widely available for refrigeration, a necessity before electric refrigerators became common household appliances.

Ice delivery was a vital service, enabling households and businesses to preserve food in iceboxes. The presence of a dedicated driver and a sturdy draft horse highlights the manual labor and logistical infrastructure required to operate such a business. Companies like Superior Ice Company were integral to daily life, ensuring the cold storage of perishable goods in an era defined by evolving sanitation standards and technological advancements in food preservation.