Unfortunately for me my first memories of AC was when it was probably at it's lowest point. But many years ago it was considered a top place to go.

Yes, ice used to be a big thing.Alot of people would put a big block of ice in front of a fan in the summer months. A poor mans air conditioning and before air conditioning was available at a reasonable price for the masses. And before refrigerators were priced low enough people had ice boxes in their kitchen. Ice houses were a big business years ago.