I knew there were companies that made ice.  I've seen the big dispensing machines all over the city, but you just don't think of their being an "ice factory" somewhere.  And as hot as it gets here in the summer, and with all the establishments that need ice you would think it could avoid being bankrupt.  The ice factory was actually rather warm when I went inside.  I was met by the owner.  I found out that this was the oldest business in town.  It started in business in 1863, selling ice to camped Union soldiers.  At that time they stored the ice in some way and it was available well into the warmer weather. There was a history on the wall in the entrance.  Over the years the company made ice for the railroads, for downtown hotels and hospitals and for home use when there were ice boxes instead of refrigerators.  What had happened here was that their largest customer had switched just half of its buying to a competitor.  It was a critical amount of business for the company.  As of yet they have not been able to replace the lost business.  There have been some smaller new accounts, but they just don't buy in the volume of the large customer that was lost.