Soperton Ice Plant Honors the Past

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Visitors to Treutlen County should spend some time at the Soperton Ice Plant for its history and interesting sights. It's just across the street from the railroad on Railroad Avenue (appropriately named, huh?) in downtown Soperton.

The current owners are Tony and Jodi (Durham) Bush. Tony's family has been here for generations, while Jodi is from Peachtree City. Both of them have other work, so Tony's parents, Hyman and Glenda (Henry) Bush are there for the day to day operations. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in February this year. Their other two children are Tommy and Tonya. Glenda also is from a local pioneer family. She is the daughter of Wilburn Henry and granddaughter of Dock Henry. Other family members drop in regularly. Shirley is the cashier.

Don't go looking for ice at the Soperton Ice Plant. The stock in trade is antiques and collectibles. You are welcome to walk around and look, and they'll help you find what you're looking for.

Hyman and Glenda can tell you about the historic building, put up by a Dr. Dent, but most people remember when it was run by the late Frank Mullis, whose wife, Inez, is still living. The ice was sold by the block, chipped in canvas bags, and by the chunk. Back in 1950's it was common to see a child walking home from the Ice Plant with his "chunk" tied by a piece of string.

Hyman said that they don't sell coal anymore either, but at least through the 1960's every winter brought a railcar of coal, parked on a sidetrack right in front of the Ice Plant. An auger under the railcar was used to feed coal out for the customer. Sometimes it was sold by the bag.

Frank Mullis's brother, Durden, went from the ice and coal age to cured meat, the finest cured hams known for miles around. He put in a tire operation between the Ice Plant and the old shirt factory (Soperton Manufacturing Company). Also he had a walk-in, drive-in beverage business.

The pictures tell the story about the antiques better than we can with words. The first photo wasn't made at the Ice Plant, but at Hyman and Glenda's home out on Windwill Way. Hyman says he moved it from the Oliver Smith place after Mrs. Smith died and the family sold, over 30 years ago. Get Hyman to tell you the story about how the windmill was moved. Keith Ricks was there with several other people and conveyances, including a four-wheeler.

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In the 1950's the street was permanently painted for weekly cakewalks. In the Jim Fowler era, the Ice Plant formed a backdrop for a forestry film "Lonnie's New Crop".
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A wooden Indian guards the door... maybe one of Kahlija's relatives.
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The lady in red beside the swinging doors presents necklaces.
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Hyman Bush.
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Linda and Shirley.
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Customers view antique appliances and more.
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Antique home furnishings.
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In a quiet moment, the crew can be found in the back left corner near an open door. Hyman, Shirley, Linda and an empty chair as Glenda was hiding from the camera.
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Hyman and Glenda's antique windmill at their home.
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