The Icemen Cometh

One of the most sought-after products in the 1860’s in San Antonio was ice. For many years, the ice made a long journey from Massachusetts, firstly being shipped to the Texas coast, and then making a tedious journey across country to where it was needed. This was both time-consuming and very costly.

Seizing on a business opportunity, Jean Batiste LaCoste, a Frenchman, who came to San Antonio via New Orleans, established the first truly successful ice-making plant in the city.

Photo: Jean Batiste LaCoste…digital.utsa.edu

The “San Antonio Ice Company” was located on the banks of the San Antonio River at Losoya Street, just north of Crockett Street, close to where the Hyatt Regency Hotel and “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” stand today.

Map: mysanantonio.com

Photo: Author

Photo: Author

Photo: Author

According to Leon Foutrel, who was an ice-maker himself for a time, and made a study of the manufacture of artificial ice in San Antonio over many years, J.B. LaCoste went into the ice-making business with other prominent French residents in San Antonio including Joseph Brunet, and Honoré Grenet, who is remembered for constructing a large mercantile store over the Long Barrack next to the Alamo, after the Catholic Church sold him the property in 1877.

Another ice-making plant was operated by Daniel Livingstone Holden, who reportedly sold his interests to LaCoste and partners.

Prior to Jean Batiste LaCoste’s venture, a previous attempt at ice-making in San Antonio had been undertaken by another French citizen, Remie Bergarie, who set up an ice-making machine on the banks of the San Antonio River near to where the “SoHo Wine and Martini Bar” now stands.

Photo: Author

However, Bergarie, had neglected to obtain the rights to manufacture ice in San Antonio when he brought his Carré machine to the city, and was forced to leave the county, and move his operation to Austin. 

This opened the door for the enterprising LaCoste, who saw the potential of the spring waters of the San Antonio River, and it’s byproducts like ice, for the developing city. He immediately found ready customers for his quantities of ice, especially amongst the city hotels, eager to keep produce cold, and customers cool.

In 1877, LaCoste was awarded the city contract to supply water to residents through the San Antonio Water Works Company, and he was responsible for the construction of the historic Pumphouse #1 in Brackenridge Park. The financial backer for the water company was George Brackenridge, who later became president of the company.

Photo: Pumphouse #1 built by J.B. LaCoste…..Author

Others followed LaCoste, and soon there were a number of ice plants along the river at various locations, including where the Briscoe Western Art Museum now stands, and also near the current Westin Hotel. Names like Andrew Muhl, Michael Paggi and Charles Zilker all became known for their ice-making innovations.

Jean Batiste LaCoste died in San Antonio on October 24th 1887, and is buried in the San Fernando Catholic Cemetery.

Photo: Author

Photo: Author

LaCoste, a town in Medina County, Texas, 12 miles southwest of San Antonio, and 5 miles southeast of Castroville, was named in his honor in 1881.

Sources:

“American Venice : The Epic Story of San Antonio’s River”….Lewis Fisher 

“San Antonio, Was”….Cecilia Steinfeldt & James Hicks

“Spanish Water, Anglo Water: Early Development in San Antonio”…..Charles R. Porter

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