text: how did we make ice before we had refigeration?   before modern refrigeration, people kept food in cool cellars or lowered them into wells in a bucket. even earlier, they stored food in caves and cold springs. later, farmers cut large blocks of ice in winter and stored them in insulated icehouses, which were then used to preserve food in summer. commercial icehouses delivered blocks of ice to homes and businesses in the cities until the advent of the modern, mechanical refrigerator in the 20th century.