Map of area explored

The dotted red line is the side track that came down from the Bowmans Creek Branch to service the ice houses. The dotted grey line is the Bowmans Creek branch. The lake to the right is already drained years ago. Unfortunately Splash Dam #2 is now also drained.

Diagram of the ice houses and conveyer system.

1939 Aerial photo of Mountain Springs (Splash Dam 2)

This photo shows the ice houses when they were intact and the two tracks. One which is on the north side of the lake. You can actually make out boxcars on the switching track southwest of the ice houses.

Splash Dam #1

We went back to follow the railroad bed from the ice houses as Splash Dam #2 (Mountain Springs) to where the first lake once was. This was known as Splash Dam #1. Originally constructed to float logs down Bowmans Creek towards Stull, it was later used to harvest ice the same as Splash Dam #2. I don't know when this lake was drained, but historical images from 1959 shows the lake drained, not long after ice harvesting ceased.

North side of Splash Dam #1

We followed the old road around the north side of the old lake to look for more artifacts. We also hoped we could find the remains of the dam from this side as well.

1939 Aerial photo showing the buildings.

The mountain springs track is highlighted in yellow, also shows the second track that follows behind the ice houses. The Bowman's Creek branch is highlighted in green.

1959 Aerial photo showing the lake drained.

Recent aerial view showing the grid arrangement.

Part 3

This set of pictures follows the Mountain Springs track from where it joined the Bowman's Creek branch down to the missing bridge that could not be crossed.

Map of this section explored