Before the days of humming refrigerators and convenience-store freezers, keeping food cold in Central Oregon took equal parts ingenuity, grit, and a little bit of luck from Mother Nature.
In the early days, pioneers in Prineville and across Central Oregon relied on winter’s grip to harvest ice from frozen rivers and ponds. That ice, carefully stored in sawdust-insulated icehouses, was a prized commodity that helped preserve food, chill beverages, and offer sweet relief from the summer heat. But when the rivers didn’t freeze—or when July rolled around and the stored ice had melted—things got trickier.
That’s where the caves came in.
Nature’s Hidden Freezer: The Arnold Ice Cave
About 12 miles south of Bend, tucked beneath the rugged lava beds off China Hat Road, sits Arnold Ice Cave—a natural marvel that quietly fueled the region’s ice supply in the early 1900s. Deep within the cool, dark lava tube, thick layers of ice formed and lingered well beyond winter, preserved by the cave’s insulating basalt walls.
Resourceful locals soon realized the potential. Using a block-and-tackle system, they hauled giant chunks of ice up the steep incline of the cave and loaded them onto wagons bound for Bend. There, the ice was stored in insulated sheds packed with sawdust, ready to be sold to saloons, homes, and businesses eager for a cool drink or a chilled icebox.
In those days, ice wasn’t just a luxury—it was big business. By 1910, hundreds of tons of ice had been harvested from Arnold Cave. The summer of that year was particularly hot, driving up demand—and prices. Ice sold in Bend for a whopping $40 per ton, and one saloon owner, holding a monopoly on the Arnold Cave supply, had the only truly ice-cold beer in town. Needless to say, his establishment was a popular spot.
The Rise and Fall of the Ice Trade
Of course, the ice trade wasn’t entirely dependent on caves. During cold winters, crews harvested ice from the Deschutes River and nearby ponds. Small dams were even built along the river to create reliable ice sources. In 1911, the Bend Livery Stable constructed a large icehouse six miles south of town. That December, workers cut and stored 500 tons of crystal-clear, 12-inch-thick ice—ensuring a steady supply for the warmer months.
But when winters were mild and river ice was scarce, Arnold Cave became essential. Other caves, like Dillman Cave and East Cave, were also used, though on a smaller scale. Even long before settlers arrived, Indigenous people utilized the ice from these lava tubes to cool off and store water during the scorching summer season.
Yet, as with many industries of the past, the ice trade eventually melted away—thanks to electricity. By the late 1910s and early 1920s, with power lines reaching Bend and the first electric refrigerators making their debut, demand for naturally harvested ice began to dwindle. The ice wagons, once a familiar sight rumbling down the dusty streets, became a thing of the past.
Still, old-timers would fondly recall those rugged, icy operations—the shimmering blocks hauled from the earth, the sawdust-stuffed icehouses, and the cool clink of ice hitting a glass on a sweltering summer day.
A Peek into the Past
Today, Arnold Ice Cave still exists, though accessing it safely requires modern climbing gear and caution. Rising ice levels have filled much of the cave, nearly swallowing the old stairways. But its legacy remains—a hidden reminder of a time when keeping cool in Central Oregon took creativity, hard work, and, occasionally, a trip underground.
Interested in more stories from Central Oregon’s rugged past? Visit the Bowman Museum and discover how pioneers carved out a life in the high desert—ice blocks and all.