Archaeology of the Old Iceworks, 35 Hunter Street, Hobart

Abstract

The invention and development of refrigeration technology in the second half of the 19th century was a crucial factor in the success of Australia's meat export trade, although in Tasmania it was the fruit trade which made the most use of it. The Henry Jones Iceworks and cold-storage facility at 35 Hunter Street, Hobart, was probably established in 1903, involving extensive alterations to the existing building. Six of the seven insulated rooms in the building still contained refrigerant piping in 1986. This represented about one-twentieth of the volume of the original facility and was mostly used for cold storage. However, there is also evidence that most, if not all of the firm's ice-making took place on this site. The "Old Iceworks" was an important component of the industrial and commercial development of Hobart. Its remains were representative of refrigerating technology and equipment found throughout Australia in the early 20th century and were the last surviving ammonia iceworks in Tasmania.