Snow storm in Elsie, Michigan

Snowstorm in Elsie, Clinton County, Michigan

The first two photos below show folks in Elsie cutting ice. I don't know if they're just preparing a skating rink or harvesting ice. The ice was cut with ice saws and loaded onto horse-driven bobsleds for transportation to commercial ice storage facilities. Sawdust was used to pack the ice and preserve it for sale to the public. A few Elsie residents maintained their own ice storage building.

You may click on the thumbnail images of each photo to see a larger version.

Cutting ice. Cutting ice. Preparing a skating rink or harvesting ice?
Cutting ice. Cutting ice.

The remaining photos on this page show scenes of Elsie following the great spring snowstorm of April 29, 1909. The snow accumulated several feet in height.

Main Street in winter. Digging out from the storm on Main Street in Elsie, Michigan.
Elsie houses covered by snow. Houses covered by the big snowfall.
Am Elsie family digs out from the snow. An Elsie family digs out from the snow.
Elsie houses covered by snow. Another Elsie resident checks out the snow.
Elsie houses covered by snow. Houses covered by the big snowfall.
Elsie trees covered by snow. Trees bowed down under the weight of the snow.
Elsie trees covered by snow. More trees bowed down under the weight of the snow.
Panoramic view of Elsie homes under the snow. Panoramic view of Elsie homes under the snow.

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Last modified by pib on July 6, 2003.