Old Fall River Ice House

Curiosity! Exploring! Old Stuff! Creepiness! Trespassing! Recipe for adventure.
The ice house on North Watuppa Pond, Fall River’s drinking supply, looks like a castle from afar, but stepping inside the ruins is a feeling unlike stepping inside anything meant to be a dwelling. The sounds of forest, pond and traffic come to a stillness within the stone surroundings, but it’s the vastness within that is so eerie. The walls extend maybe 50 feet high, wide open spaces with narrow openings, a slit down the middle of each wall. Maybe where the ice slabs were pushed through for their storage and later shipment? The coolest thing isn’t what you see in front of you, but imagining how this all worked in the days of the ice trade. New England’s precious winter pond ice was harvested, stored, and shipped around the world before refrigeration. There’s a stone dating this ice house to 1864.
Visiting in March made it easy to get around without the floor being too overgrown, but the lack of green against the cold stone and graffiti made it that much less «friendly».
Thanks to Jonathan B. for posting this listing and easy directions to get in to the ruins!

Ready for an adventure kiddies? Then come to Fall River and see the aging ruins of the Old Fall River Ice House. But please, be discreet. Signs around the entryway state that fishing, boating, swimming and camping are strictly prohibited. But ever since I was a child I always wondered what the old Medieval looking ruin had to offer the not so faint of heart. Now as an adult literalist, I interpret the absence of a no trespassing order as something akin to an invitation.
One side of the structure can be seen on the right while driving north on Route 24 coming from 195. Take exit 5 and follow Eastern Avenue then take a left onto New Boston Road. At the end, turn left onto Willow Street which turns into Ruth Street (over the freeway) and then Meridian Street (in a very short distance). Park on Hannah Street or Bergeron Street and then walk back toward whence you drove and go around the left of the fence across the road.
What awaits you on the other side is a lonesome path long neglected over time. Weeds and trees flourish between cracks in the crumbling asphalt. Once past the noise from the street, an eerie quiet sets in. A short walk will lead you to the northern shores of the pond. Continue along and watch for the ruins on the right.
Inside you will find excellent photo opportunities and a remarkable example of structural decay and a forest gradually reclaiming lost ground. Vines ensnare the surrounding trees and creep alongside the walls of the massive building. The colossal inner chambers are full of trees and enormous stones that have given way to time.
Interesting exterior brickwork nestled among stones can be seen as one moves along the southern edge of the building closer to the shore. One wall bears the scar of what may have been a large lightning strike. Most of the walls have soaring vacancies in the stonework that may have once held windows or doors. Sadly, there is some graffiti, but it’s a minor distraction in such an exciting place.
After you’ve had your fill of the ruins, continue along the path and feel the eyes of the forest upon you. Low walls of stone accompany you throughout most of your journey and it would be difficult to get lost. Bear left when the path splits about a half mile after you’ve gone over the causeway (it can be difficult to discern) and you will eventually return to Meridian Street.
Do NOT forget your camera!