Vintage Iron Ice Tongs – Recovered from Lake Erie, Lorain Ohio

These vintage iron ice tongs came from Lake Erie, found near the old site of the Lorain Crystal Ice Company in Lorain, Ohio. Divers recovered them during a salvage dive close to where the company once operated.

The Lorain Crystal Ice Company started in 1907 and stayed open until 2015. These tongs likely date back to the early 1900s, when the regional ice trade was active and essential to daily life.

The tongs show heavy rust and have a broken joint. They no longer hold together, so they’ll need welding for restoration or secure display. Still, the form remains clear and shows their original purpose.

These ice tongs work well as a display piece. They fit right in with:

• Industrial-themed spaces
• Maritime or Great Lakes history collections
• Workshop, garage, or barn decor
• Antique tool displays

They offer a unique look into working life from another era.

Features:

• Vintage iron ice tongs recovered from Lake Erie
• Connected to Lorain’s early 1900s ice trade
• Rusted with a separated joint – not functional
• Ideal for wall display or historic tool collections