edinmass Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Before Pierce Arrow made cars and trucks they were a very successful bicycle manufacturer. Before bikes they made household items like bird cages and refrigerators. Here is a "barn find" I made in February of this year in Iowa. The snow was blowing and the temperature was in the single digits, but we managed to score a car and this ice box. It's from 1890, sold new for 32.50 and I was able to see the house it was installed in when new, and it stayed there for over one hundred and twelve years. I am the second owner! There are only three known ice boxes to still survive today. It will be at the Pierce meet this week in Rhode Island where we will serve cold drinks out of it on the show field. Then it's off to the Pierce Arrow museum in Hickory Corners Michigan, where I will donate it in the memory of my father, who passed his passion for Pierce Arrow cars on to me so many years ago. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Wow, Ed, great find and in beautiful condition! It's going to a good home, too, well done.....As Ed mentions, George N. Pierce was manufacturing bird cages in the 1800's. Along with the cages, feeders (water and food) were made. I have six of these, marked Pierce and with a patent date of 1878, so they are in the same age as the refrigerator.My understanding (from the bird cage collecting people) is that, for some reason, the cages weren't marked Pierce, so it's difficult to authenticate one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 It is interesting to learn what auto manufacturers did before and some times after their adventures with autos. Kissel went from producing autos to making outboard boat motors for Sears, Roebuck and Co. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Peerless went from cars to beer in the early '30's...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Rollson was in the business of making aircraft and submarine galley equipment up until a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Maybe we should start a new thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den41Buick Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 For those who do not know. The Pierce Arrow Society is having their annual meet in Warwick, RI this week. Hope to see them driving on RI roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Nicely done Ed. Thank you for sharing this great piece of history! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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