Ice fishing was a very popular annual event at the western end of Hamilton Harbour. During the cold winter months, the Harbour could be seen lined with fishing huts. Winter ice was so thick, not only could it support hundreds of fishing huts, but it sustained professional ice-cutting companies. These companies supplied employment in February and March to many Hamiltonians. Large blocks of ice would be cut directly from the Harbour and stored in sheds along the shore. Even during the summer months, citizens could buy ice from the previous winter stored in these sheds. Unfortunately, by the 1920’s, after decades of unregulated dumping, the Harbour’s heavily polluted water ended the ice-cutting business.

Photo Credit: Hamilton Public Library Archives