Pictured are some stages of the ice house construction at Tony Harper's in Old Forge, from chainsawing the ice blocks (Dave Schneesberger), to shaping them from the inside (Chris Murphy). In the middle photo is Lisa Murphy, owner of Tony Harper's Pizza and Clam Shack. Photos by Carol Hansen

In an effort to extend her customers’ enjoyment of the outside bar at Tony Harper’s Pizza and Clam Shack on Main Street, Old Forge, owner Lisa Murphy suggested to her husband Don that they enclose the area in ice and keep it open for snowmobilers. 

Don, owner of D.E. Murphy Constructors, Inc., builder of Tony Harper’s and designer of its iconic tower, accepted the challenge and immediately began research on ways to construct the ice house. 

Once he came up with a plan, he contracted with Gary Evans of Clayville Ice, a Utica-area company that has a long history of building coolers and delivering ice to the Adirondacks, to make and deliver over 1,500 pounds of blocked ice.

Then, a large cast of characters joined in the construction process. Jim Dillon and Lance Pierson of Raquette Lake Supply, who are instrumental in keeping the Raquette Lake ice harvesting tradition alive, lended their tools and ice cutting expertise. Continue reading →