We begin a week long feature on the old fashioned ice cream parlor! Today we look at possibly what was the foundation of the ice cream parlor. The old west didn't have refrigeration, mainly their shops were about candy. Remember Little House on the Prairie?
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Oleson's Mercantile sold sweets in large glass jars on the counter.
This is more than likely where the ice cream parlor got its roots.
(Along with a saloon type layout)
(Along with a saloon type layout)
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"Centuries ago people started making
refreshing summer-time desserts by taking sweet cream (the richest part
of milk) or custard (egg-based puddings) and cooling them down with ice.
The chillier the
cream, the more solid the product. Seasonal fruit
flavors predominated. Before modern refrigeration mostly wealthy people had
access to ice (and by association, iced cream) in the summer. This made
ice cream a rare
treat. It was not until the late 19th century "ice cream" was consumed
by most Americans.
Ice cream saloons (the term merely indicating a spacious room) and parlors, as they were called later in the 19th century, were described as gaudy mirrored palaces, lit brightly by gaslight. In 1869 M. F. Brigham & Son opened a Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Coffee, Lunch and Ice Cream Saloon on Washington Street in Boston, in connection with a confectionery at which they sold candy, pastry, ice cream, frozen puddings, sherbets, jelly whips, charlotte Russe, Roman punch, and other confections." - Foodtimeline.org
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When I was little living in Los Angeles, we visited Knott's Berry Farm regularly because it was a 30 minute drive from my house. Outside the park, was a series of shops and restaurants. No admission fee required. My favorite was getting fudge and double dipped chocolate peanuts at Knott's Candy Parlour. (No Ice Cream)
Ice cream saloons (the term merely indicating a spacious room) and parlors, as they were called later in the 19th century, were described as gaudy mirrored palaces, lit brightly by gaslight. In 1869 M. F. Brigham & Son opened a Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Coffee, Lunch and Ice Cream Saloon on Washington Street in Boston, in connection with a confectionery at which they sold candy, pastry, ice cream, frozen puddings, sherbets, jelly whips, charlotte Russe, Roman punch, and other confections." - Foodtimeline.org
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When I was little living in Los Angeles, we visited Knott's Berry Farm regularly because it was a 30 minute drive from my house. Outside the park, was a series of shops and restaurants. No admission fee required. My favorite was getting fudge and double dipped chocolate peanuts at Knott's Candy Parlour. (No Ice Cream)
I don't have any photos of the Candy Parlour which is why I love Pinterest!
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When I was going to Knott's the exterior was yellow.
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This is what it looked like inside!
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We have an ice cream shop in town that I took Kit and Ruthie to.
A common theme with old fashion ice cream shops, seems to be an added space dedicated to candy. "Mustache Lollipops"!
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This shop has 16 ice cream flavors!
Chocolate and strawberry, but of course!
When I was little we visited Knotts Berry Farm. Don't remember much about it. We either lived in San Diego, Ca. or Twentynine Palms, Ca. at the time.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post, Rhonda. Thanks for putting it together. I grew up in a small Colorado town that had a soda shop and pharmacy, with a counter, bar stools, jerk soda, ice cream, malted shakes and more. While this place was less decorated than the place in Knottsberry Farm, it was a great hangout for kids in a small town!
ReplyDeleteOh I'll bet you kids loved it. Stay close, more places much like you described are coming up this week. My old hang out too :-)
DeleteWow Rhonda, I love all of the research you did for your icecrean piece! I remember seeing your Kit in the picture and wanting one of my own to travel with to historical places. I did finally buy a Kit doll, yet I have not found a place as nice as the setting in the picture above. I need to visit the place in Boston that you referenced. Is it still around and standing? Let me know if you can. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteNo, unfortunately a lot of these older stores are long gone. You can still find other shops in Boston, maybe not as old, but fun none the less!
DeleteMarvelous photos. I love the one showing the carousel horse inside the shop! I wish I had the courage to bring my dolls out for photo sessions in public places, because these are SO adorable!
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken any dolls out to public places for photos either, but I guess that might change when Willow, the traveling doll, comes to our house.
DeleteEverytime I post and sign in. I get my post deleted! ugh.
ReplyDeleteSo this'll be shorter. I thank you for the memory lane. My Mother loved taking us to Creamerys while traveling and my parents often took us to Knotts where all our relatives would meet up for Chicken and Waffles. Great times.
I also loved Kits dress on Ruthie! I ended up getting another during the Sales this month for my Ruthie. Thought it would be nice since Grandma was a giving women. She can keep it together even in a Chicken feed Sack!