Smith Barn Rental Summary

We all scream for ice cream

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Photograph, Chandler’s Ice Cream (now Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe), 86 Andover Street, circa 1954

Boston.com recently asked their readers who makes the BEST ice cream sandwich in Massachusetts.
Peabody’s Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe came out on top, with 50% of the votes.
Read more here.
Delicious Facts

During World War I, a German officer was quoted about America’s involvement in the war, said that “We do not fear that nation of ice cream eaters.” As a result, it became a source of national pride to eat ice cream, and ice cream was deemed an essential food during the war, exempt from sugar rationing.

 

In 1925, in Quincy, Massachusetts, Howard Johnson opened his first ice cream parlor with 28 flavors, made with buttercream, for a more decadent taste.

Rexall’s Drug Store Advertisement, Peabody Enterprise, October 29, 1920

 

Peabody Candy Kitchen Advertisement, Peabody Enterprise, May 16, 1919

Menu from Arthur T. Millea Pharmacy, 31 Main Street, Peabody, 1930-1960

Hood Ice Cream Advertisement, Peabody Enterprise, March 25, 1921

 

In 1938, soft-serve ice cream was invented in Illinois by J. F. McCullough and his son, Alex. The McCullough family would later start Dairy Queen.
In 1945, the US Navy commissioned the world’s first “floating ice cream parlour” for service in the Western Pacific. The concrete barge was stationary and needed to be towed by other ships. It cost over $1,000,000 to build and could produce up to ten gallons of ice cream every seven seconds.

Photograph from Peabody’s 1998 International Festival
Courtesy of the Ray Wallman Collection

In 2019, on average, each Americans ate 23 pounds of ice cream.

Peabody has a history of delicious ice cream. We want to hear from you – what is your favorite Peabody ice cream spot – past or present?

 

Special thanks for member Mary Ann Walsh who reminded us about long time ice cream truck favorite, Allan Ganz.  Read more about his Guinness World Record here.

 

References

Peabody Historical Society & Museum Library and Archives

Funderburg, Ann Cooper. Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla: A History of American Ice Cream, 1995, 124, 143.

Sammarco, Anthony. A History of Howard Johnson’s: How a Massachusetts Soda Fountain Became an American Icon, 2013.

https://www.idfa.org/the-history-of-ice-cream