#TBT: How Cola used to beat the heat
This is part of our #TBT collaboration with Historic Columbia.

Put on your old-timey bathing suit and swim this way — it’s time for another #TBT. This week, we’re plunging into the deep end as we explore how folks beat the heat throughout history.

Molly McKinsey cools off on a block of ice while eating an ice cream cone on a famously hot day in July, 1960. Molly McKinsey on a Block of Ice, 1960. Courtesy of The State Newspaper Photograph Archive at Richland Library.

Designed to chill

It’s hard to imagine a life without air conditioning. The very thought gives me a swampy feeling.

But architects and engineers have been practicing analog climate control for thousands of years through smart building design. In ancient Egypt, courtyards built into the center of large homes promoted airflow through the core of the structure. In Greece, slatted shutters were affixed to the home’s exterior to diffuse sunlight while inner windows were left closed. In India, curtains made of verbena were hung across doorways and on sun porches to catch and cool breezes.

Sleeping porch in the 1950s | Image from the Library of Congress, Historic American Building Survey HABS MD,17-HYATV,2-

In the South, when you see homes with tall windows and wide front porches, what you’re seeing is a form of climate control. These windows would have been left open during the day, along with windows at the rear of the house, to promote airflow. Sitting on the porch meant you got out of the stagnant indoors and might catch a breeze or two.

And for those who could afford it, a sleeping porch could be built onto the back of their house. Essentially a screened in porch, this combination inside-outside space provided relief from sweltering bedrooms. (There was even one at the White House in the 1920s.) These spaces kept you cool like the other side of the pillow.

Take a dip

Beware the splash zone at the Maxcy Gregg pool in 1955. Fun at the Maxcy Gregg Pool, 1955. Courtesy of The State Newspaper Photograph Archive at Richland Library.

Soda Citizens (and everyone else for that matter) have always flocked to water during the hot months. Lake Life was a thing long before it was a bumper sticker.

In 1950, Dentsville Twin Lakes opened six miles north of Columbia and boasted an ice cream counter, jukebox, dancing, and a picnicking space. Folks were welcome to swim from 10 in the morning until 11 at night.

Image from The State newspaper in the 1950s

At Lake Murray, a water-skiing competition was held yearly and offered beach-goers the chance to show off their skills while keeping cool.

Check out this couple competing in the partner competition:

Water Skiing Festival at Lake Murray, 1959. Courtesy of The State Newspaper Photograph Archive at Richland Library.

Eat the heat

After the rise of the home fridge/freezer following the second World War, folks got serious about cold treats.

Recipes were regularly published in The State newspaper for hot-weather foods. We thought we’d share three of our—ahem—favorites:

Image from The State newspaper

June 26, 1950

From an article titled: Waffle Supper Alone With Vienna Sausage And Pineapple Means Cool Summer Cooking

“ARRANGE slices of canned Hawaiian Pineapple on a broiler rack. Slip two canned Vienna sausages through the center of each slice. BRUSH the pineapple and Vienna sausages with melted butter or margarine. BROIL about three inches from the source of heat for 5 to 8 minutes or until the pineapple is lightly brown. SERVE at once with waffles. Add a bowl of whipped honey butter to serve atop the waffles.”

July 21, 1950

“Of course, there’s no better way to start the day than with full glasses of your favorite chilled CS Fruit Juice. But remember that fruit juices aren’t confined to breakfast planning alone—they make marvelous frozen salads and desserts of all kinds...

For instance—CS Fruit Sherbet: Dice 1 package of marshmallows, melt over hot water. Beat 2 egg whites and add ½ cup sugar. Mix with 1 can CS ORANGE JUICE, 1 can CS GRAPEFRUIT JUICE and 1 can CS ORANGE-AND-GRAPEFRUIT JUICE and freeze, stirring occasionally.”

A 46-oz. can of CS juice would set you back $0.39.

Image from The State newspaper

June 17, 1950

“For a luscious summer dessert, make a Melba Sauce with crushed raspberries thickened with a little cornstarch and then serve over a ring of cantaloupe centered with a ball of vanilla ice cream.”

And when all else fails… there’s always the ice cream truck:

It’s the dairy bar on wheels! Freezer-Fresh Ice Cream truck, 1960. Courtesy of the Jimmy Price Studios collection at Richland Library.

If you have some hot weather memories you want to share, email us.

Here’s one sent to us by COLAtoday reader, Debbie:

“I couldn't help but think of all the stories my mom told me about learning to swim at Boyden's Arbor. My grandparents used to take their family of 6 there. It doesn't exist anymore. As I understand it, it was on the grounds of Ft. Jackson and there is still a road off Percival bearing the same name.”

Boyden’s Arbor | Photo courtesy Richland Library

And our reader Dee:

"The lake at Bell Camp, located off of Percival road (near Ft. Jackson) was the place to cool off for USC faculty & staff back in the 1970’s when we first came to Columbia. There were shelters for picnicking and canoes to use."

Another fine way to beat the heat is to spend a day exploring Historic Columbia’s air-conditioned house museums. And once you’ve had your fill of history, you can test out those 1950s hot-weather recipes + picnic on the grounds of Hampton-Preston. Take a picture of yourself lounging in the shade at HP and tag @historiccolumbia on Instagram.

Bonus: If you’re looking for a really great podcast about ice, we recommend 99% Invisible’s The Ice King. (You won’t regret it.)

Did you miss me? Because I missed y’all. If you want to catch up on all things cool, I’ll be sippin’ on a Thai iced tea at Indah and thinking snowy thoughts.

See you in a few weeks.

–Lois from Historic Columbia