Phoenix Ice is selling ammonia, used in early refrigeration units, to freeze or chill produce in a way that was never possible before. Welcome to Swanson's TV dinners!

A look at the large photo shows that the base of the Viaduct bridge seems out of plane with the bulkhead. Could be an optical illusion due to the angle of the photo, but ...

[Confused? This is a photo of two different bridges. - Dave]

I have nothing important to say. There just had to be a reference to the R.E.M. song of the same name.

Thanks so much to the Anonymous Tipster for informing us that the photo captures the Superior Street Viaduct in the open position. I was having great difficulty reconciling the perspective of the photo with maps of street plan in the Cleveland Flats.

Note that the Superior Viaduct (on the left) is also open. The swing-bridge span rotated the roadbed 90 degrees to let river traffic pass.

The "whirligig things" are racks for drying fish nets.

Those are wooden frames that they wind fishing net on to inspect, repair and dry. I love how industrially busy this photo is!

Dave, I don't think you take requests, but I would love some high-quality prints of the Cleveland skyline from the turn of the last century. Your photos on here are so much cleaner and crisper than anything I've found online, and would look great framed and hanging on the wall. I would be forever grateful if you found one and did your magic. I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

Ice and Refrigeration, Volume 39, 1910

The Phoenix Ice Machine Co.

Manufacturers of Ice and Refrigerating Machinery. Constructors for Complete Plants, Pipe Work and Machine Repairs. Ammonia Valves and Fittings. General Supplies for Ice and Refrigerating Plants.

Office and Works, 1566-1568 Merwin Avenue, Cleveland Ohio.

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Other businesses in photo:

• The General Cartage and Storage Co.
• The Ohio Sash & Door Co.
• The Cleveland Machine Knife Co.
• Monson Fish Co. (I too am puzzled by the whirligigs in front of the fish house)

My mother must have poured gallons of Fletchers down my gullet during the 50's. I think she bought it by the 55 gallon drum.

This happened every time the SS Mae Murry showed up.

What's going on in front of the Monson Fish Co. on those whirligig things? Drying Fish? Sail making? An early Christo installation?

The lift bridge was used by the B & O Railroad. Erected in 1907, replaced in 1956 by a similar bridge that's still there.

The river doesn't appear to be on fire.

Funny, I've never heard of the stuff, but apparently, you can still buy it.