In the early 19th century, Boston-born Frederic Tudor, “The Ice King,” built a global business, harvesting pond ice from New England and shipping it around the world.
When Boston native Frederic Tudor was born on September 4, 1783, no one could have imagined he would transform life in sweltering Southern cities. By the time he died in 1864, Tudor had earned the nickname “The Ice King” after building a global business harvesting New England pond ice and shipping it to warmer climes—including Charleston, where his enterprise turned the once- rare luxury into an everyday necessity.
Charlestonians had been searching for ways to beat the heat since the city’s founding in 1670. Homes were oriented to capture prevailing breezes, ceilings were built high to vent hot air, and wide piazzas provided shade. Later, physician John Gorrie, believed to have been born in Charleston in 1803, became a pioneer in mechanical refrigeration, while in the 20th century, local inventor Maurice Glasser patented an improved oscillating ceiling fan. Long before those innovations, however, residents prized one commodity above all others: ice…