newsletter 4-9

A block ad in the March 31, 1855 edition of the Parkersburg Gazette advertises that Thomas H. Creel has leased the California House. He says that it is near the celebrated Sulphur Springs and that he is ready to accommodate the public.

Water for the factory came from the Leonard Spring, situated below Murdoch Avenue, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets.
To purify the spring water it first went through a distilling process. At this stage of the process, the water is heated to the point of becoming steam and then cooled into pure distilled water. It is at this point that local druggists used the water.
Continuing the ice-making process, the distilled water runs through a charcoal filter, forced through a set of sponges and into the freezing cans.
The next step in the freezing process is placing the freezing tank where an ammonia gas is used to create 130 cans (blocks) of solid, pure, clear ice daily.
Can you still recall how ice used to be delivered in your neighborhood?

First it was Wood County, next Wirt County and now McKain is continuing a long string of preservation accomplishments into Ritchie County, bringing another important bit of the past into the present.
In 1851, Bushrod Creel built an inn for those traveling the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. He named his inn/hotel “the California House”. Creel hoped to capitalize by the many travelers who were heading west to California in search of gold. While those traveling to California had thousands of miles before them and an “iffy” fortune of gold, Creel’s fortune came from the “black gold” that was readily available near his hotel.
Though the actual California house is gone, it’s foundation is being archeologically excavated.. The actual barn is still standing nearby.
At present, travelers on the “pike” (Rt#47), can spend relaxing and educational time at the shelter and picnic tables that are available. The site is situated along Rt. #47, just 3 miles east of Freeport.

The newest rest area along Rt#47 was built by McKain, with local help, offers shelter, interpretive signage, picnic tables an oil derrick. The site of the California House is just 3 miles east of Freeport.

Though your memories of ice delivery may not go back this far, this 1908 photo depicts the method of all early deliveries. On the side of the “covered wagon” it reads: Parkersburg Ice Company; Pure Crystal Ice; Telephone No. 53. It was delivery wagon No. 2.

Though there has never been a claim to a “fountain of youth”, Wood County has always offered “medicinal waters”. Many spas, such as Borland Springs and the famous Mineral Wells have received much attention. However, there were many others, i.e., Spencer’s Spring, Cooper’s Well at Buena Vista, and a water well at Burning Springs that was known to cure sundry complaints.
In 1849 the owners of Cooper’s Well advertised that they had opened a new well that has stronger medicinal powers.